Bessie Smith: "The Empress of Blues."
(1894 - 1937)
Concluding African American History month with remembering
one of the greatest women in Blues music history.
During the Roaring Twenties, Bessie Smith was one of the
leaders in Blues music with hit songs like “Downhearted Blues,” and “St. Louis
Blues,” which she recorded with world legend Louis Armstrong (playing the
cornet). Downhearted Blues sold roughly
750,000 copies. This was an impressive
amount in 1920s standards for record sells.
These record sells made Smith the highest selling African American artist
of her time. Her talents impressed both
African Americans and Caucasian Americans; she was highly popular in the south. Her only film appearance was in 1929 called, “St.
Louis Blues.”
Youtube Clips
"Downhearted Blues."
“St. Louis Blues.”
With Louis Armstrong on cornet.
Film: “St. Louis Blues,” Part 1
Film: “St. Louis Blues,” Part 2
Lyrics to “Downhearted Blues.”
“Gee, but it's hard to love someone
When that someone don't love you
I'm so disgusted, heartbroken, too
I've got those down
hearted blues
Once I was crazy 'bout a man
He mistreated me all the time
The next man I get has got
To promise to be mine,
all mine
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
It seems that
trouble's going to follow me to my grave
I ain't never loved but three men in my life
I ain't never loved but three men in my life
My Father, my brother
and the man that wrecked my life
It may be a week, it may be a month or two
It may be a week, it may be a month or two
But the day you quit
me honey, it's coming home to you
I got the world in a jug, the stopper's in
my hand
I got the world in a jug, the stopper's in
my hand
I'm going to hold it
until you didn't come under my command”
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