Dirty blues

Dirty blues encompasses forms of blues music that deal with topics that are sometimes considered taboo in society, including sexual metaphors and/or references to drug use of some kind. Due to the sometimes graphic subject matter, such music was often banned from radio and only available on a jukebox. The style was most popular in the years before World War II and had a revival in the 1960s.

The more noteworthy musicians who utilised the style included Bo Carter, Bull Moose Jackson, Myra Johnson, The Lamplighters, Harlem Hamfats, and The Midnighters.

Notable dirty blues songs

• "Bow Wow Blues" - The Allen Brothers, 1927
• "It's Tight Like That" - Tampa Red and Georgia Tom, 1928
• "The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas" - James "Stump" Johnson, 1928
• "I Had to Give Up Gym" - The Hokum Boys, 1929
• "Rock That Thing" and "You'll Never Miss Your Jelly Until Your Jelly Roller Is Gone" - Lil Johnson, 1929
• "Bumblebee" - Memphis Minnie, 1929
• "Please Warm My Weiner" - Bo Carter, 1930
• "Good Grinding" - Irene Scruggs, 1930
• "Must Get Mine in Front" - Irene Scruggs, 1930
• "Pin In Your Cushion" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "Banana In Your Fruit Basket" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "My Pencil Won't Write No More" - Bo Carter, 1931
• "My Girl's Pussy" - Harry Roy, 1931
• "The Coldest Stuff in Town" - Whistling Bob Howe & Frankie Griggs, 1935
• "Shave 'Em Dry" - Lucille Bogan, 1935
• "Get 'Em From The Peanut Man (Hot Nuts)" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Anybody Want To Buy My Cabbage?" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Press My Button (Ring My Bell)" - Lil Johnson, 1935
• "Trucking My Blues Away" - Blind Boy Fuller, 1936
• "Sam The Hot Dog Man" - Lil Johnson, 1936
• "My Stove Is In Good Condition" - Lil Johnson, 1936
• "They're Red Hot" - Robert Johnson, 1937
• "Meat Balls" - Lil Johnson, 1937
• "If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It)" - Lil Johnson, 1937
• "Southern Whoopee Song" - The Anglin Brothers, 1938
• "Don't You Feel My Leg?" - Blue Lu Barker, 1938
• "I Want A Piece Of Your Pie" - Blind Boy Fuller, 1939
• "Salty Papa Blues" - Dinah Washington, 1944
• "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got" - Julia Lee, 1946
• "Snatch and Grab It" - Julia Lee, 1947
• "Lolly Pop Mama" - Wynonie Harris, 1948
• "King Size Papa" - Julia Lee, 1948
• "Mother Fuyer" - Dirty Red, 1949
• "Cadillac Baby" - Roy Brown, 1950
• "I Like My Baby's Pudding - Wynonie Harris, 1950
• "I'm a Hi-Ballin' Daddy" - Tiny Bradshaw, 1950
• "Silent George - Lucky Millinder, 1950
• "Rocket 69" - Todd Rhodes, 1951
• "Sixty Minute Man" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1951
• "The Walkin' Blues" - Fluffy Hunter, 1951
• "It Ain't the Meat" - The Swallows, 1951
• "Keep on Churnin'" - Wynonie Harris, 1952
• "Pedal Pushin' Papa" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1952
• "Big 10-Inch Record" - Bull Moose Jackson, 1952
• "Little Girl Sing Ding-A-Ling" - Dave Bartholomew, 1952
• "Saturday Night Daddy - Little Esther Phillips, 1953
• "Work with Me Annie" - The Midnighters, 1954
• "Shake, Rattle and Roll" - Big Joe Turner, 1954
• "Big Long Slidin' Thing" - Dinah Washington, 1954
• "Baby Let Me Bang Your Box" - The Toppers, 1954
• "Sexy Ways" - Hank Ballard, 1954
• "Salty Dog" - Blind Willie McTell, 1956

See also

• List of dirty blues musicians