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.^[1]

The more noteworthy musicians who utilised the style included Bo Carter, Bull Moose Jackson, Myra Johnson, The Lamplighters, Harlem Hamfats, and The Midnighters.^[1]

Notable dirty blues songs

• "Bow Wow Blues" - The Allen Brothers, 1927
• "It's Tight Like That" - Tampa Red and Georgia Tom, 1928
• "The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas" - James "Stump" Johnson, 1928
• "I Had to Give Up Gym" - The Hokum Boys, 1929
• "Rock That Thing" and "You'll Never Miss Your Jelly Until Your Jelly Roller Is Gone" - Lil Johnson, 1929
• "Bumblebee" - Memphis Minnie, 1929
• "Please Warm My Weiner" - Bo Carter, 1930
• "Good Grinding" - Irene Scruggs, 1930
• "Must Get Mine in Front" - Irene Scruggs, 1930
• "Pin In Your Cushion" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "Banana In Your Fruit Basket" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "My Pencil Won't Write No More" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "My Girl's Pussy" - Harry Roy, 1931
• "The Coldest Stuff in Town" - Whistling Bob Howe & Frankie Griggs, 1935
• "Shave 'Em Dry" - Lucille Bogan, 1935
• "Get 'Em From The Peanut Man (Hot Nuts)" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Anybody Want To Buy My Cabbage?" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Press My Button (Ring My Bell)" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Trucking My Blues Away" - Blind Boy Fuller, 1936
• "Sam The Hot Dog Man" - Lil Johnson, 1936
• "My Stove Is In Good Condition" - Lil Johnson, 1936
• "They're Red Hot" - Robert Johnson, 1937
• "Meat Balls" - Lil Johnson, 1937
• "If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It)" - Lil Johnson, 1937
• "Southern Whoopee Song" - The Anglin Brothers, 1938
• "Don't You Feel My Leg?" - Blue Lu Barker, 1938
• "I Want A Piece Of Your Pie" - Blind Boy Fuller, 1939
• "Salty Papa Blues" - Dinah Washington, 1944
• "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got" - Julia Lee, 1946
• "Snatch and Grab It" - Julia Lee, 1947
• "Lolly Pop Mama" - Wynonie Harris, 1948
• "King Size Papa" - Julia Lee, 1948
• "Mother Fuyer" - Dirty Red, 1949
• "Cadillac Baby" - Roy Brown, 1950
• "I Like My Baby's Pudding - Wynonie Harris, 1950
• "I'm a Hi-Ballin' Daddy" - Tiny Bradshaw, 1950
• "Silent George - Lucky Millinder, 1950
• "Rocket 69" - Todd Rhodes, 1951
• "Sixty Minute Man" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1951
• "The Walkin' Blues" - Fluffy Hunter, 1951
• "It Ain't the Meat" - The Swallows, 1951
• "Keep on Churnin'" - Wynonie Harris, 1952
• "Pedal Pushin' Papa" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1952
• "Big 10-Inch Record" - Bull Moose Jackson, 1952
• "Little Girl Sing Ding-A-Ling" - Dave Bartholomew, 1952
• "Saturday Night Daddy - Little Esther Phillips, 1953
• "Work with Me Annie" - The Midnighters, 1954
• "Shake, Rattle and Roll" - Big Joe Turner, 1954
• "Big Long Slidin' Thing" - Dinah Washington, 1954
• "Baby Let Me Bang Your Box" - The Toppers, 1954
• "Sexy Ways" - Hank Ballard, 1954
• "Salty Dog" - Blind Willie McTell, 1956^[2]

See also

• List of dirty blues musicians

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Allmusic.com
2. ^ "Allmusic ((( Risque Blues, Vol. 1 > Overview )))". http://www.allmusic.com/album/r376477.