Bessie Smith - Rockin' Chair Blues

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Did you ever wake up
With sorrow all on your mind?
Did you ever wake up
With sorrow all on your mind?

He plays the blues to his congregation
Hear his trombone whine
He'll make you laugh, he'll make you cry
He'll sit right down and moan

He'll weep and moan
Till I hear him say
Lord, I wonder where my
Loving man is gone

Easy rider, you see, I'm going away
I won't be back until you change your ways
I won't be back until you change your ways

I'm going to the river
Carryin' a brand new rocking chair
I'm going to the river
Carryin' a brand new rocking chair

I'm gonna ask Mister Tadpole
To move all his stuff from here

Blues jumped a rabbit
Run him for a solid mile
Blues jumped a rabbit
Run him for a solid mile

The rabbit turned over
And cried like a natural cry

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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.