The "Dirty Blues"

"Dirty blues encompasses forms of blues music that deal with topics that are sometimes considered taboo in society--including sexual metaphors and/or references to drug use of some kind. Due to the sometimes graphic subject matter, such music was often banned from radio and only available on a jukebox. The style was most popular in the years before World War II and had a revival in the 1960s." [Wikpedia]

Dirty blues, a subgenre of music that's become a favorite of mine. Not particularly because I'm a raunchy person or a drug-user or anything--I just happen to love "envelope-pushing" and I find the envelope-pushers to be quite courageous. 

 I got my first taste of the "dirty blues" just last year when I heard Bessie Smith's "I'm Wild About That Thing". I had no idea that such things were being recorded during the 1920's!  

I recommend that you put the following music on whatever music player you own--and it keep it handy for those occasions where old folks get together to talk about how "innocent" their generation's music was.

Now, I know what you're gonna say--"Even if the music was raunchy, it was still subtle!" Yeah, whatever. 

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"I'm Wild About That Thing"--Bessie Smith

The Empress of Blues tells some lucky guy what she wants and how she wants it in this naughty tune.

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"The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas"--James "Stump" Johnson

There are a lot of metaphors in this song that I don't quite understand, but good ol' Wikipedia says that "yas yas" was a popular euphemism for "ass" and that the song was popular in whorehouses. Hmm...

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"Steady Grinding Blues"--Dorothy Baker

 

Before R. Kelly was bumpin' and grindin' and Pretty Ricky had someone grindin' on 'em, Dorothy Baker was "Steady Grinding". I'm not certain of the history of this song, but it was also recorded by a Dorothea Trowbridge. Some say sources say that Baker and Trowbridge may have been the same person.

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"It's Right Here for You (If You Don't Get It--'Taint No Fault O'Mine)--Mamie Smith

Mamie Smith is trying to give you a little something and if you don't get it--well, it ain't her fault. This particular record is a bit scratchy. Here are some lyrics (Blanche Calloway's version, but still just about the same) for you.

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"Banana in Your Fruit Basket"--Bo Carter

With songs like "Banana in Your Fruit Basket", "Pin in Your Cushion", and "Please Warm My Weiner", it's clear that Mr. Bo Carter had no problem expressing himself. 

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"Dope Head Blues"--Victoria Spivey (and Lonnie Johnson on guitar)

Here's your ordinary sounding blues song--with some extraordinary lyrics.

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"Wipe It Off"--Lonnie Johnson (additional lyrics by Clarence Williams)

Some ladies want some gentlemen to wipe something off before they use it...[Lyrics]

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"I Got What It Takes"--Blanche Calloway & Her Joy Boys

I always refer to this song as sort of a precursor to Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?" Blanche has got something powerful and she doesn't really want to give it away...

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"Shave 'Em Dry"--Lucille Bogan

For this song, I highly recommend 1. Low volume  or 2. Headphones and 3. The absence of children. 

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"I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl"--Bessie Smith

Listen to this Bessie Smith tune that's even more spicier than "I'm Wild About That Thing"!

*does multiple mischievous eyebrow raises*

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"Reefer Man"--Cab Calloway & His Orchestra

The taboo subjects touched on by Blues artists would also get a little shine in the world of Jazz/Swing--and Blanche's little brother was never one to shy away from music about the mighty green stuff. 

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"My Handyman"--Ethel Waters and James P. Johnson

Ms. Ethel gives us a nice little list of the things that her "Handy Man" does for her in this Black Vaudeville favorite.

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"My Pencil Won't Write No More"--Bo Carter

Here goes that Bo Carter again!

A commentator on Youtube hilariously referred to this song as "Erectile Dysfunction Blues". 

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"Long John Blues"--Dinah Washington

Mrs. Washington sings about her visit to "the dentist" in this 1948 recording. 

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"(I Love to Play Your Piano) Let Me Bang Your Box"--The Toppers

I'd like to conclude this post with this subtly titled song recorded in 1954.

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More "Dirty Blues":

Wikipedia
Dirty Blues (Amazon)
Those Dirty Blues (Volume 1) (Amazon)