Bessie Smith - Shipwreck Blues

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Captain, tell your men to get on board
I sure see 'em just pull into another shore

I'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart
Oh, the best of friends sho' has got to part

Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
When a woman gets dreary, ain't no tellin' what she won't do

It's cloudy outdoors as can be
Oh, it's cloudy as can be
That's the time I need my good man with me

It's rainin' and it's stormin' on the sea
It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea
I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me

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Bessie Smith

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Biography

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Bessie Smith, born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is renowned as “The Empress of Blues,” a title befitting her unparalleled talent and influence in the world of music. With her powerful voice and emotive delivery, she became one of the most celebrated vocalists of the 1900s.

In 1922, Smith signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, a groundbreaking achievement for Black musicians at the time. This marked the beginning of her rise to fame and success, as she became one of the highest-paid Black performers of her era. Throughout her career, she recorded numerous blues songs that showcased her exceptional vocal range and emotional depth.

Smith's unique vocal style had a profound impact on later jazz musicians, who drew inspiration from her expressive growls and soulful delivery. Despite facing challenges and discrimination as a Black woman in the music industry, Smith's talent and resilience shone through in her music, earning her a lasting legacy.

In addition to her musical contributions, Smith's personal life has also been a subject of interest and speculation. Rumored to be bisexual, she lived unapologetically and authentically, paving the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ artists. Her influence extended beyond her own time, as singers like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin cited her as a primary influence on their music.

Tragically, Smith's life was cut short in 1937 following complications from a car accident. Despite her untimely death, her impact on the music world continues to be felt to this day. Her story has been immortalized in various forms of media, including film, television, and books, ensuring that her legacy as a pioneering and influential musician lives on for generations to come.