Statesboro Blues

Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal

About Statesboro Blues

"Statesboro Blues" is a Piedmont blues song written by Blind Willie McTell, who recorded it in 1928. The title refers to the town of Statesboro, Georgia. In 1968, Taj Mahal recorded a popular blues rock adaptation of the song with a prominent slide guitar part by Jesse Ed Davis. His rendition inspired a recording by the Allman Brothers Band, which is ranked number nine on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time". In 2005, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranked "Statesboro Blues" number 57 on its list of "100 Songs of the South".  


Year:
2013
2:25
30 

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Yes now, wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Have you got the nerve to drive poor papa Taj from your door?

Woke up this mornin' baby, I had them Statesboro blues.
Statesboro Georgia, that is.
Woke up this mornin, had them Statesboro blues.
Looked over in the corner, well my baby had 'em too.

Mama died and left me reckless, Papa died and left me wild,
I ain't good lookin baby, but I'm someone's sweet angel child.
Going to the country, baby do you want to go?
I know if you can't make it, your sister Lucille say she wanta go.

You know I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
Yes I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
She treat me like a king, I treat her like she was a doggone Queen.

Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Have you got the nerve to drive papa Taj from your door?

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Taj Mahal

Henry Saint Clair Fredericks (born May 17, 1942), who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He often incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer-songwriter and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his almost 50 year career by fusing it with nontraditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific. more »

3 fans

Written by: Willie McTell

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Statesboro Blues" is a classic American blues song. It was written by Blind Willie McTell, a renowned Piedmont blues and ragtime singer and guitarist.
Blind Willie McTell's Influence
Blind Willie McTell, who was active in the 1920s and 1930s, wrote and recorded the song in 1928. Despite his subsequent obscurity, his song "Statesboro Blues" became one of his most enduring contributions to blues music.
Song Structure
The original "Statesboro Blues" has a typical 12-bar blues structure. It is a plaintive song that tells a story of love and loss.
Recognition
In 2005, the original version of the song by Blind Willie McTell was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Covers
"Statesboro Blues" is one of the most frequently covered blues songs. It has been recorded by many artists, including The Allman Brothers Band and Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal's Version
Taj Mahal’s version of the song, recorded for his 1968 debut album, is one of the most celebrated. It showcases his unique, rootsy interpretation of the blues.
The Allman Brothers Band's Impact
The Allman Brothers Band's recording of "Statesboro Blues" for their live album "At Fillmore East" in 1971 is particularly famous. It is considered a cornerstone of their revolutionary blend of rock and blues.
Signature Solo
The Allman Brothers Band's version features a signature slide guitar solo from Duane Allman, which has been widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar solos ever.
Song Popularity
Due to its status as a blues standard and the many high-profile covers, "Statesboro Blues" is often recognized even by listeners with only a casual familiarity with blues music.
Legacy
"Statesboro Blues" holds an important place in the canon of American music and continues to be celebrated and performed by contemporary blues musicians.

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