The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #90660   Message #1720567
Posted By: Jon W.
17-Apr-06 - 05:50 PM
Thread Name: Skin color in songs & singers' names
Subject: RE: Skin color in songs & singers' names
Many if not most of the blues singers recorded in the 20's and 30's and some even later had verses or lines that spoke of the color of their lover's skin.

For example Blind Willie McTell, Three Women Blues -

One of them Memphis yellow, the other Savannah brown (2x)

But that Statesboro darkskin, really turn your damper down.


From a Son House song:

My black mama, face shine like the sun

Oh lipstick and powder sure can't help her none.


From a John Lee Hooker song:

I've got women black, brown, and yellow

Their ages from nineteen to fifty-two.


These just off the top of my head...