T.B. Blues

Album: The Essential Jimmie Rodgers (1931)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The unedifying title of this song is compounded by its inspiration. Singing Brakeman Jimmie Rodgers was born in the Deep South on September 8, 1897, and as a young man worked on the railroad. In 1924, he contracted tuberculosis, one of the great scourges of history. It was this that led to his star rising; forced to give up his job he formed a band, and three years later received his big break when he was recorded by Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Alas, his career was short-lived, because he died on May 26, 1933 as a result of his illness.

    At 35 he was a year younger than another famous TB sufferer from the Deep South, Doc Holliday. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.