Backwater Blues
Bessie Smith, James P. Johnson
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When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night Then trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door There's been enough trouble to make a poor girl wonder where she want to go Then they rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond Then they rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond I packed all my clothes, throwed them in and they rowed me along When it thunders and lightnin' and when the wind begins to blow When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins to blow There's thousands of people ain't got no place to go Then I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill Then I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill Then looked down on the house were I used to live Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go 'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no more Mmm, I can't move no more Mmm, I can't move no more There ain't no place for a poor old girl to go
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_by_Carl_Van_Vechten.jpg/235px-Bessie_Smith_(1936)_by_Carl_Van_Vechten.jpg "Bessie Smith")
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Written by: Bessie Smith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Genre"Backwater Blues" is categorized under the Blues genre, a music style that originated from African-American communities in the United States.
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Historical TimingBessie Smith recorded the song "Backwater Blues" in February 1927, during the height of Jazz and Blues era known as the Roaring Twenties.
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Artistic CollaborationPianist James P. Johnson, one of the pioneers of stride piano, accompanied Bessie Smith during the recording of "Backwater Blues".
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Real-Life InspirationIt is belief that "Backwater Blues" was inspired by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, one of the most severe natural disasters in the history of the U.S.
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LyricsThe song's lyrics depict the hardships faced by people living in conditions of extreme poverty, it vividly describes a flood forcing the protagonist from their home.
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SongwriterWhile it is popularly associated with Bessie Smith, the song was actually written by Big Bill Broonzy, a significant blues songwriter and singer.
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Cultural Impact"Backwater Blues" is often seen as a symbol of struggle against societal forces and years after its release, has been covered by various artists in differing styles.
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RecognitionDespite its somber theme, "Backwater Blues" was one of Bessie Smith's greatest hits, showcasing her powerful vocal abilities and the emotive capacity of the Blues genre.
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InfluenceThough it was originally a blues song, "Backwater Blues" has influenced numerous jazz musicians over the years, further testament to its timeless appeal.
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LegacyBessie Smith's rendition of "Backwater Blues" is today considered a classic of early 20th-century music. It stands as a testament to her unsurpassed ability to convey profound emotional depths through song.
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Notable CoversSome notable artists who have covered the "Backwater Blues" include Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dinah Washington, and even rock band Led Zeppelin.
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Citation
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"Backwater Blues Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3990533/Bessie+Smith/Backwater+Blues>.
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