Mellow Mama Blues

Album: Mellow Mama (1945)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Also known as "Mellow Man Blues," this was the breakthrough song for (at that time) the rarest of rare birds, a black female songwriter. Jessie Mae Robinson was born Jessie Mae Booker at Call, Texas in October 1918. Although she had been writing songs from her teens, "Mellow Man Blues" was recorded by Dinah Washington in 1945. Both women went on to greater success, but they both had relatively short lives. Dinah died in December 1963 from a drug overdose aged only 39. Jessie May (who wrote professionally as J.M. Robinson) died aged 48 but her songs were recorded widely, including by Elvis Presley. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?