Phonograph Blues by Robert Johnson

Album: King Of The Delta Blues (1936)

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

In his short life, Robert Johnson recorded only 29 songs. According to Dave Rubin in his transcription of the Johnson sessions King Of The Delta Blues, "Phonograph Blues" (take 1) is quite similar to "Kind Hearted Woman Blues." Rubin writes, "After surveying Robert Johnson's complete repertoire, it becomes evident that he had, with exceptions, a group of accompaniments that he adapted to various sets of lyrics."
Take 2 of "Phonograph Blues" from these legendary November 1936 sessions was the last song in a long day of recording, and Johnson is said to have used a "mysterious tuning" on it which has been called the Aadd9 tuning, E-B-E-A-C♯-E. He used the same tuning on "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThe second take was done in Vestapol tuning in the key of Eb. No "mysterious" tuning. Literally NO basis in fact.
Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThere is no evidence that Robert Johnson ever used a tuning called "Aadd9". This was invented by some rock guy and promoted in Guitar Player magazine, and picked up by Rubin in his transcription book. Complete garbage. Johnson used Spanish, Vestapol, Cross-note, and standard tunings like everyone else in his day. Robert Johnson experts all agree on this.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Invisible TouchGenesis

The Genesis song "Invisible Touch" was inspired by the Prince-written Sheila E. track "The Glamorous Life."

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" was inspired by how she'd learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated about her. She realized she could either let it get to her or "just shake it off."

The ReflexDuran Duran

"The Reflex" became a #1 hit for Duran Duran when Nile Rodgers remixed it using a sampler. Simon Le Bon refuses to say what it's about, but says it's "kind of childish song."

Louie LouieThe Kingsmen

"Louie Louie" was first recorded in 1955 by an R&B singer named Richard Berry, and his lyrics are easy to understand. When The Kingsmen recorded the hit version, their lyrics were indecipherable.

Burning Down The HouseTalking Heads

"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads was inspired by chant band members heard at a P-Funk show where the crowd yelled, "burn down the house... burn down the house."

She Loves YouThe Beatles

"She Loves You" by The Beatles was the song that convinced Ozzy Osbourne to make music his life. The Beatles were a big influence on him because they were also poor kids from a small town in England.