5 Famous Blues Songs You Need to Know
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Discover the 5 famous blues songs that you need to know in order to appreciate the genre and its history.
“Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was a Delta blues singer and guitar player who lived from 1911-1938. He is considered one of the most influential musicians of his time and is credited with popularizing the blues genre. “Sweet Home Chicago” is one of his most famous songs, and has been covered by countless artists over the years.
“The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King
B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone” is a classic blues song that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song was first recorded by King in 1969 and released as a single in 1970. It quickly became a hit, reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “The Thrill is Gone” has been covered by many artists, including Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, and Sheryl Crow.
“Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson
“Cross Road Blues” is a song written and recorded byRobert Johnson in 1936. It is one of the most famous and influential blues songs of all time, and has been covered by countless artists. The original lyrics refer to a crossroads where Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical talent. The song has been interpreted in many ways, but most importantly it is seen as a representation of the struggle between good and evil.
“Born Under a Bad Sign” by Albert King
Albert King was born in Indianola, Mississippi, on April 25, 1923. He began his recording career in 1953 and soon after found success with his distinctive style of electric blues. In 1966, he recorded “Born Under a Bad Sign,” which became one of his signature songs.
King’s guitar playing was characterized by a strong, vibrato-laden tone and a unique approach to string bending. He was also known for his highly expressive vocals, which ranged from deep growls to gentle falsetto.
“Born Under a Bad Sign” is a classic example of the blues genre, with its simple but effective chord progression and lyrics that tell a story of hard luck and adversity. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
“Stormy Monday” by T-Bone Walker
“Stormy Monday” is a song written by T-Bone Walker and first recorded in 1947. It has been recorded by many artists including Muddy Waters, Bobby “Blue” Bland, The Allman Brothers Band, Eva Cassidy, and Otis Redding.
The song is a slow twelve-bar blues with a chord progression of E7-A7-B7. It has a recurring theme in the first eight bars and the last four bars. The lyrics describe a man’s feelings of loneliness and despair after his love leaves him on a Monday.
The song has been used in several movies including The Big Chill and Pleasantville.
