Songs about Singers

Subject: Songs about Singers
From: Dr John
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 04:59 PM

Does anyone know any other songs commemorating other singers (not Dylan). Phil Och's "Bound for Glory" about Woody Guthrie and Sis Cunningham's "But If I Ask Them" about Aunt Molly Jackson are two of the best I know and they curiously don't name whom they are about. Then there's Tom Paxton's "Fare Thee Well Cisco"and Sonny Terry's "Goodbye Lead Belly". Any others?

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Don Meixner
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:07 PM

here's few Doc,

Luke's Song about Luke kelly, Killing me Softly about Don McLean.

Don Meixner

Subject: Lyr Add: MAN IN BLACK
From: Bert
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:08 PM

Uh Oh! You've got me going now. Can't resist posting one of mine.

Bert.

  
             Man In Black
  
  
  A7   D            G                 D
  When I was in my teens he sang his songs
                                          A7
  'Teenage Queen' and 'Big River' rolling on
    D                        G                 D
  'Sing it Pretty Sue' you thought he sang for you
                           A7                  D
  But the Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  
  
  His songs have followed me throughout my life
  He sang '...tie that binds...'	when I first took a wife
  When he sang 'Ring of Fire' I could feel the flames roar higher
  The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  I heard he made mistakes from time to time
  but his singing helped me through when I made mine
  Had to fight my whole life through and he sang 'A Boy Named Sue"
  The Man in Black he sang that song for me.
  
  He sang 'Give my love to Rose' and 'Cry, Cry, Cry'
  and 'Goodbye Little Darlin' Goodbye'
  I felt all the pain I was single once again
  The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  But now I've found a love thats true and fine
  and I'm thinking '...while I've got it on my mind...'
  and the 'Ring of Fire' again is bursting into flame
  The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  I know I've stolen pieces of his songs
  but it seems to me that that's where they belong
  They feel such a part of me, they're the part of me that's free
  The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  On the 'Far Side Banks of Jordan' I will wait
  I'll come running when he gets to the gate
  But I hope it's a long time before we walk that line
  The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.
  
  I hope it's a long time before he 'walks the line'
  The Man in Black he sang that song for me.
  
  
  Copyright Bert Hansell, 1993
  

Line Breaks
added.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Bert
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:08 PM

Well so much for pre formatting.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Rick Haverty
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:10 PM

Andy Irvine's "Never Tire of the Road" is a tribute to Woody Guthrie. Christy Moore sings about a load of folk singers and musicians in "Lisdoonvarda" including himself!

Rick

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Dr John
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:15 PM

Yes, Andy Irvine's song is a great composition. Then, of course, Don McClean's "American Pie" about Buddy Holly.

Subject: Lyr Add: Man in Black^^
From: Bert
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:25 PM

try again

Man In Black

When I was in my teens he sang his songs
'Teenage Queen' and 'Big River' rolling on
'Sing it Pretty Sue' you thought he sang for you
But the Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

His songs have followed me throughout my life
He sang '...tie that binds...' when I first took a wife
When he sang 'Ring of Fire' I could feel the flames roar higher
The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

I heard he made mistakes from time to time
but his singing helped me through when I made mine
Had to fight my whole life through and he sang 'A Boy Named Sue"
The Man in Black he sang that song for me.

He sang 'Give my love to Rose' and 'Cry, Cry, Cry'
and 'Goodbye Little Darlin' Goodbye'
I felt all the pain I was single once again
The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

But now I've found a love thats true and fine
and I'm thinking '...while I've got it on my mind...'
and the 'Ring of Fire' again is bursting into flame
The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

I know I've stolen pieces of his songs
but it seems to me that that's where they belong
They feel such a part of me, they're the part of me that's free
The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

On the 'Far Side Banks of Jordan' I will wait
I'll come running when he gets to the gate
But I hope it's a long time before we walk that line
The Man in Black he sang those songs for me.

I hope it's a long time before he 'walks the line'
The Man in Black he sang that song for me.


Copyright Bert Hansell, 1993

Subject: Lyr Add: Broken "Okie"^^
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 06:14 PM

Happy Birthday Bert,,,,,,,,,,,, From The Man In Black.

Broken 'Okie'

Live a life of 'Russian Roulette',

Running from that smoking gun.

To find the ones you leave behind you,

Ain't got nowhere to run.

If life is a sad story,

Then his was too hard to bear.

If Woody's 'Bound For Glory',

I hope, we'll all meet him there.

Woodrow Wilson Guthrie,

And his 'Fascist Killing Machine'.

It's 'Hard Travelling', Woody,

Still following the dream

Just a broken 'Okie',

Who's rambling days are done.

Won't be riding no more freight trains,

But, 'Railroad Pete' travels on,

Pete's, a tough little critter,

The kind you'd seek out as a friend.

You can tell he ain't no quitter,

He'll see it through 'til' the end.

Woodrow Wilson Guthrie,

And his 'Fascist Killing Machine'.

It's 'Hard Travelling', Woody,

Still following the dream

Roger Gall 1998

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Susan of DT
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 06:48 PM

try searching for @music. None of the categories are foolproof - they started at various times when there seemed to be a group of songs or a need for the category and going back to get the older entries is spotty at best. Under @music I tried to tag songs about songs, instruments, singing, etc. There are 128 songs so labeled.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: JVZ
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 07:00 PM

What about "Joe Hill" and "Victor Jara"?

John

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 07:23 PM

Tom Paxton again, the one about John Hurt.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: rich r
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 08:03 PM

Eric Bogle wrote "Safe In The Harbor" as a tribute to Stan Rogers.

Harry Chapin wrote "Old Folkie" in honor of Pete Seeger.

Tom Paxton's "Honor of Your Company" is a tribute to the Weavers and Pete Seeger.

rich r

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From:
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 10:06 PM

And the medium has become the message.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Banjer
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 12:41 AM

Isn't HOMEWARD BOUND done by Simon and Garfunkle a song about a traveling musician? I seem to recal some of the verse dealt with one night stands, suitcase and guitar in hand. Was it about a particular person or just traveling entertainers in general?

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Gene
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 01:37 AM

A few from the OLD-TIME country side...

The Life of Hank Williams
The Death of Hank Williams
Hank Williams Will Live Forever In People's Hearts
Hank Williams You Wrote My Life
There's A Little Bit Of Hank In Me
Sing Me A Sad Song Hank Williams
Hank It Will Never Be The Same Without You
HANK
Hank's Song
When He [Hank] Sang
Hank Williams Sings The Blues No More
The Way It Was In '51 [Hank and Lefty]
Goodbye Lefty
Lefty's Gone
Sing Her Home To Me George Jones
When Jimmie Rodgers Said Goodbye
Jones On The Jukebox And Him/Her On My Mind
A Girl Named Johnny Cash
Eddy's Song
What Makes Bob [Wills] Holler

To name a few....

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: mountain tyme
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 01:52 AM

O K Gene....I wood'a sed the same had I the think'n cap wot you has. Damn fine list'a keepers. Nuff sed!

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: LEJ
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 02:12 AM

Gene...have you heard "Anybody Here Seen Hank?" by the Waterboys? Not certain if it's about Hank Williams, but the lyrics sure fit.

" I dont care what he did with his women

and I don't care what he did when he drank

Just let me hear one note

from his lonesome old throat

Has anybody here seen Hank?"

Another favorite of mine, by John Fogarty, is "Big Train from Memphis". Not sentimental, but a great tribute to Elvis...LEJ

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: JVZ
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 07:49 AM

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: JVZ
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 07:51 AM

Oops!

Add to your list:

The Train That Carried Jimmie Rodgers Home Bob Wills Is Still the King

John

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Bert
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 09:25 AM

There was a record by Jimmie Rodger's Widow, singing "And the Evening Shadows Fall".

Bert.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 12:12 PM

Dylan's "Song to Woody"

Carlos del Junco is a Toronto Harp player who has won the Hohner World Championship in both the Blues and Jazz Categories. His latest Indy CD, "Big Boy" features a song with an interesting twist on the Faustian Robert Johnson legend. "Heaven's Where You'll Dwell" has RJ showing up at the crossroads at the end of his life to fulfill his obligation to the devil, the Lord shows up and stikes the devil away and claims Robert as his own because of the work he did on earth. If you are interested in the CD try:

www.the-wire.com/usr/art/harmonica.html

Steve

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Gene
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 04:21 PM

To: LEJ....No, I havent....
my Email box is open to receive
Waves/MP3s/RealAudio/Lyrics
of any tribute song - about ANY singer...
I'm in the book!
The MUDCAT EMAIL address book, that is...

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From:
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 09:53 PM

Don't blame it on Elvis for shaking his pelvis/Shaking the pelvis been in style ever since the river Nile.

The Fabulous McClevertys, CALYPSO, "Don't Blame it on Elvis" ca. late 50s/early 60s. Topical for the times, and one of my all-time faves.--John

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From:
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 09:55 PM

Don't blame it on Elvis for shaking his pelvis/Shaking the pelvis been in style ever since the river Nile.

The Fabulous McClevertys, CALYPSO, "Don't Blame it on Elvis" ca. late 50s/early 60s. Topical for the times, and one of my all-time faves.--John

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 07:03 AM

Les Barker has written a lot of parodies on (folk) singers or groups:
Watersons (tune: Waterloo)
Eliza (for Eliza Carthy to the tune of Delilah)
January June (for June Tabor, tune: January Man)
Older than Swarbrick
there's one about Martin Carthy (forgot the title)

Don't forget Orpheus (Orfeo?), a famous old (folk) singer with more than one whole opera devoted to him. Or a musical devoted to ABBA (ah, Wolfgang, that's very far from folk).

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Arkie
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 12:08 PM

Hank Williams, Jr. wrote and recorded Family Tradition and there is 16th Avenue about songwriters though none are mentioned by name. There are also several songs about Jimmie Driftwood. I have not seen any yet that I would call memorable.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From:
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 04:58 AM

There are two separate songs titled 'Banjo Man' about Derroll Adams (American, but revered over here), written by Alex Campbell and Allan Taylor respectively, two about Alex himself, 'No More Stravaigin'', written by Gibb Todd, and 'Gently Does It' by Rab Noakes - a very moving song. Harvey Andrews has written a 'Song for Phil Ochs' and one about American country singers in general, called 'First You Lose the Rhyming'. Then there's Eric Bogle's inspired piece about Bob Dylan and all his imitators, 'Can You Sing Some Bob Dylan?', aka 'The Traditional Folksinger's Lament for the Passing of the Three-Chord Traditional Folksong', and one about Hamish Imlach called 'Scotland's Lost Its Sense of Humour' (actually, this is a reworking done by Iain MacKintosh of a song by Peter Nardini about another Scottish comedian). Iain has also written a witty musical autobiography in five verses which is virtually a compendium of Scottish folksingers. Sadly, he's never recorded it. And I don't know a single song about a woman ... Help, anybody out there? - Susanne

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Gene
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 11:48 AM

Well, how about the tribute song to Mother Maybelle? and Ferlin Husky pays tribute to Kitty Wells
in 'Good Ol' Country Music's Here To Stay'
Think I have another one or two...

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Dr John
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 01:56 PM

I started this thread and mention a song about a woman, composed by a woman, sung by a woman. "But If I ask Them" by Sis Cunningham and about Aunt Molly Jackson. One of the best and also regrettably one of the most difficult to come by. But wonderful. DrJohn

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From:
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 03:04 PM

Come and listen to my story, if you do I'm gonna tell

About a group of fellers from down in Nashville.

We'll start with Red Foley doin' the "Chattanooga Choo",

Let's not forget hank Williams and them good ol' "Lovesick Blues".

Well, it's time for Roy Acuff goin' to Memphis on his train,

Minnie Pearl and Rod Braxville and Bradley Kincaid,

"Signed, Sealed and Delivered" with Sam and Kirk McGhee,

And the master of ceremonies is Mr. George D. Hay.

There'll be guitars and fiddles and banjo-pickin' too,

Bill Monroe singin' out those old "Kentucky Blues",

Earnest Tubb's number, "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right",

At the Grand Ol' Opry every Saturday night.

-- Jimmy Martin

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Gene
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 03:49 PM

That's a good tune from the DIRT BAND's
Will The Circle Be Unbroken? LP...

There's several songs like that...
Hillbilly Heaven
Country Music Time
There's a Grand Ole Opry Show Playing Somewhere

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 03:59 PM

How about Life Is A Rock, But the Radio Rolled Me? Or Rock and Roll Heaven? Two pretty sappy songs from the Seventies about deceased Rock and Rollers.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 10:06 PM

Here's one that Lacy J. Dalton did several years ago about the "boys who make the noise on" 16th Avenue.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Susan A-R
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 10:16 PM

There's a wonderful one about Leadbelly in the Pete Seeger Book "Where have all the Flowers gone" Als, the Clancys did one about Brendon Bean "Alass for Bold Brendon is Dead"

Also, didn't someone do a parody entitled "I am changing my Name to Paxton"

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Arkie
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 10:57 PM

Charlie Sandage, a songwriter living in Mountain View, Ark. has written a tribute to three traditional women singers who were instrumental in keeping the ballad tradition alive in this state. The three are Almeda Riddle, a descendant of Jessie James, who learned from her singing school teacher father and others in her community and appeared at Newport and other big Festivals in the 60's and beyond; Emma Dusenberry, a blind singer living near Mena, Ark who was recorded for the Library of Congress; and Ollie Gilbert, a local lady who knew hundreds of songs and stories and kept her list on a roll of adding machine paper, which she would toss out on the floor when someone requested a song. All sang unaccompaned although Aunt Ollie, as she was known in Mountain View, would sometimes play the banjo.

I was to introduce Almeda at the Ozark Folk Center one evening when she opened her purse and showed me a bottle in one of the inside pockets. These were her nitro glycerine tablets. Her instructions were that if she was to pass out on stage, I was to place a tablet under her tongue. She had at least one person in her audience that night who did not miss a word. On another occasion, after she finished singing Gypsy Davy, she mentioned that people sometimes complained because her songs were so long. She went on to say that she should not be considered at fault, because she had not written the songs.

If there is any interest, I'll check with Charlie to see if I can post the words.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: karen k
Date: 17 Apr 99 - 05:32 PM

Larry Kaplan wrote, SONG FOR GALE, for Gale Huntington from Martha's Vineyard.

k

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Apr 99 - 06:34 PM

Arkie, I'm not sure I understood what song you were thinking of posting. I was wondering if a couple of songs in the database might apply, GYPSY DAVEY or AUNT SUE. "Aunt Sue" is one powerful set of lyrics. Anybody know of a recording, or can anybody post the tune in an appropriately-titled thread (click)?
-Joe Offer-

...how 'bout:
I write the songs that make the young girls sigh,
I write the songs, I write the songs.
...on second thought, forget it....

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Arkie
Date: 18 Apr 99 - 12:45 AM

I did not mention the title to the song and did intend to do so. Most folks would not know it anyway. It has not had a wide circulation. The song is They Sing On. I heard it during a concert tonight and Ollie Gilbert's grandson was in the audience. Although I like about every variant I have ever heard of Gyspy Davy, that was not what I had in mind.

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: toadfrog
Date: 17 May 01 - 10:39 PM

Do not forgetThe Ballad of Pete Seeger, available on line in the "Socialist Songbook" (formerly "Boss's Songbook": klik here

This song has a wonderful old Schachtmanite (irreverent) flavor. Anyone remember the Shachtmanites? Anyone know if any still exist?

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Bert
Date: 18 May 01 - 12:29 AM

And there's Dora Bryan's "All I want for Christmas is a Beatle"

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 May 01 - 12:43 AM

More songs about Stan Rogers, to take the awful taste of "Safe In The Harbour" away...

John Gorka's, "That's how legends are made"

But the absolute best song about Stan is Garnet's "Night Drive"...

;-)

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 18 May 01 - 09:29 AM

Emmylou Harris' "Boulder To Birmingham" about Gram Parsons

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 18 May 01 - 10:32 AM

Orval[?] Prophet's tribute to Hank Snow
The Traveling Snowman

Frank Walker's self penned tribute to Hank Williams
The Last Letter; referring to [New Year's Day, 1953]

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:09 AM

"In The Quiet Morning"--written by Mimi Farina for Janis Joplin (recorded by Joan Baez)

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:49 AM

Greetings, jaze, good to see you.

~S~

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,BobP
Date: 18 May 01 - 12:21 PM

Here's a couple for the assemblage.

J Baez . . . . Diamonds & Rust (Dylan) H Chapin . . . The Parade's Still Passing By (Ochs)

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 18 May 01 - 12:23 PM

Try this one for a song about most/all/some of us. http://www.mudcat.org/!!-song99.cfm?stuff=fall99+D+4530595 Pitiful attempt at a blue clicky, it's not even blue. JohnB

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: GUEST,Bernie Murphy
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 02:35 PM

RED JOHNSON Sings The There's a grand ole opry show playing somewhere
Barbara Mandrell Sings I wish that I could fall in love today
       Thank You

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 11:09 PM

To Joe Offer:
                A very beautiful recording of Pete Sutherland's AUNT SUE is available on Carla Sciacky's CD album "Awakening". It is track #12 on that album, which I am proud to own. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Songs about Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 02:48 PM

Eric Bogle's 'Plastic Paddy' is about the average Irish pub singer in the average Irish pub the world over, and ends with the priceless lines:
"And just one thought comes through my mind as I stagger out the door
Where are you when we need you Christy Moore?"