Crazy Blues

Album: Crazy Blues (1920)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written by the songwriter and performer Perry Bradford, who cast Smith in his musical Made In Harlem. The release of "Crazy Blues" marked the first time a black singer appeared on a Blues record. It was a huge success, selling over a million copies and proving that there was a market for black singers. Artists who followed include Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Ma Rainey. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousLove this bluesy song! Man, can you believe Perry Bradford wrote a lyric about getting a gun and shooting a cop?! Today is August 8, 2020. this was recorded exactly 100 years ago two days from today! Black Lives Matter! Even back then...

    "I'm gonna do like a Chinaman
    Go and get some hop
    Get myself a gun, and shoot myself a cop
    I ain't had nothin' but bad news
    Now I've got the crazy blues"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?