Singing the Blues

Blues is a music genre and a musical form that originated in the Deep South in the US around the 1860s. Since then the blues have been incorporated into music and song in many different ways. Having the blues can be interpreted as feeling a bit low so these songs are a mix of all kinds and perhaps not really part of the blues genre. These songs are an interesting mix and are sung by many well-known artists.

“The Birth of the Blues” is a popular song from 1926. It was composed by Ray Henderson, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown. The song was used in the Broadway revue “George White’s Scandals” in 1926 and recorded by American bandleader and composer Paul Whiteman. There have been many other versions one of them by American singer and actor Frank Sinatra. Sinatra even included the song in a comedy sketch he did with his Rat Pack with such singers as Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Roadhouse Blues” is a song that was recorded by the American rock band The Doors. It is on their album from 1970 Morrison Hotel. The song charted on the Cash Box Top 100 chart. It became a concert staple for the band and many other artists have covered it. The song got strong airplay on rock radio stations.

“Summertime Blues” is a song that was co-written and recorded by American rock singer Eddie Cochran. The song came out as a single in 1958 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as on the UK Singles chart. The song has been recorded by other artists like American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Brian Setzer, who recorded his version for the 1987 movie “La Bamba” portraying Cochran. The song ranks at number 73 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“Wedding Bell Blues” is a song that was written and recorded by Laura Nyro in 1966. The best-known version was recorded by the American vocal group The 5th Dimension in 1969. It appears on their album The Age of Aquarius. The song rose to number one on the US Pop Singles chart and became the group’s signature song and among their best-known songs.

“Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” is a song that was written and performed by American folk singer and songwriter Danny O’Keefe. It was recorded in 1967. It is on his self-titled debut album that came out in 1971. O’Keefe re-recorded the song in a slower version for his second album. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100, the Adult Contemporary, and County charts.

“Steamroller Blues” is a blues parody that was written by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Taylor. It was intended to mock the inauthentic blues bands of the day. It is on his 1970 album Sweet Baby James. The song was included on Taylor’s diamond-selling Greatest Hits in 1976.

“Kozmic Blues” is a song by American singer and songwriter Janis Joplin. It is on her album Got Dem Ol’Kozmic Blues Again Mama! It was her first recording after departing from the American rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. The song became part of Joplin’s set at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

“Lady Sings the Blues” is a song that was written by American jazz singer Billie Holiday and jazz pianist Herbie Nichols. It is on her 1956 album of the same name. The song also became the title of the 1956 autobiography by Holliday and author William Duffy and the 1972 movies starring Diana Ross as Holiday.