The blues music genre has been around for a very long time and produced some incredible singers and musicians, but what are the most legendary blues songs? With its origins tracing back over 100 years, blues emerged as songs sung by African-American fieldworkers and slaves in America.
Over time the music genre grew in popularity, especially in the 1920’s, when the first blues tracks were recorded in a studio and marketed to a broad audience. However, most people at the time didn’t distinguish between country and blues, a distinction which would be made very clearly only a few decades later when racism exploded throughout the U.S.
Today, blues are considered the musical home of many great rock-and-roll and R&B artists. In October, we unveiled the 5 most popular rap songs of all time, basing our countdown on the popularity of the song, as well as record sales. Similarly, this list of the most legendary blues songs gathers song popularity, storytelling, and musical genius under one roof: the result is this list of ten blues tracks that blow our minds every time we hear them. So, prime your ears for the most legendary blues songs of our time.
10. Shake Your Money Maker – Elmore James
This up-tempo blues tune was recorded by the great Elmore James in 1961, two years before he passed away. The song features a slide guitar and is a classic featured in most jukeboxes around the world. While several artists have re-recorded the song, the original remains one of the greatest blues tracks of all-time.
The nine most legendary blue songs ever crafted are still to come on our list, don’t miss them.
9. They Call Me Big Mama – Big Mama Thornton
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton’s career took off in 1948, with her deep and powerful voice earning her the title of the “New Bessie Smith”. The blues singer wrote and recorded several famous tracks – “Hound Dog” and “Ball ‘n’ Chain” – which reached popularity in the hands of other artists, such as Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin. However, my pick for her most legendary track is “They Call Me Big Mama” because of the character and female empowerment that it displays.
8. Back Door Man – Willie Dixon
One of the most talented blues song writers of his time, Willie Dixon composed this song for Howlin’ Wolf in 1961. The song was released by Chess Records as a B-side for Wolf’s record “Wang Dang Doodle”, but Willie also featured his take on the album “I Am The Blues” in 1970. Another famous version of this tune can be found on The Doors’ debut album release in 1967.
7. All I Can Do Was Cry – Etta James
A truly bluesy and heart-breaking song, anyone who has heard this song has likely cried a little for Etta. The song, released on her most popular album, “At Last”, in 1961, tells the story of a distraught woman watching her ex-lover marry another man.
6. I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom – Robert Johnson
One of the older songs on this list, “Dust My Broom” was released by the Mississippi Delta Blues singer in 1936. Although it’s unclear whether Johnson or Elmore James is the original artist, I consider this rendition of the song one of the most legendary blues tracks around.
5. Gulf Coast Blues – Bessie Smith
Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, this legendary jazz and blues vocalist was one of the biggest voices of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Her first big hit, recorded under Columbia Records in 1923, catapulted Bessie into stardom and made her one of the most sought after theatre singers of that era.
4. Sweet Home Chicago – Keb Mo and Corey Harris
This 1937 classic was originally written by Robert Johnson, but has since been covered by a variety of artists, as well as President Barack Obama. However, my personal preference is this version by Keb Mo and Corey Harris, released in 2003 on the audio album “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues – A Musical Journey “.
3. Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters
The “father of modern Chicago Blues” recorded this spectacularly bluesy and gritty song in 1955, releasing it on the album titled “Hard Again”. The track was a commercial success and Muddy Waters would perform it almost 30 years later at the Chicago Fest in 1981, as well as with the Rolling Stones at the Checkerboard Lounge in 2012.
2. Spoonful – Howlin’ Wolf
This intimidating blues master was born in Mississippi but is known as one of the greatest Chicago blues artists ever. Like many other legendary blues songs, “Spoonful” was written by Willie Dixon in 1960 and Howlin’ Wolf proceeded to record the first version that same year. The lyrics are centered on male cravings, to be satisfied with a “spoonful”.
1. The Thrill is Gone – B.B. King
The most legendary blues song on this list belongs to B.B. King, who recorded the track almost 20 years after it was written, becoming one of his all-time best-selling hits. The classic twelve-bar blues was released on his 1969 album “Completely Well”, and B.B.’s idea to add strings to the original version propelled him into stardom. Up until today, this song is still considered his signature tune.
