COCAINE BLUES

Created on 26/04/2012
Latest update on 29/08/2023

Artist: W.A. Nichol's Western Aces
Author: T.J. 'Red' Arnall
Label: S&G
Year: 1947

With author Red Arnall. Lyrically based upon murder ballad Bad Lee Brown as recorded by Woody Guthrie ('44), and Riley Puckett's Chain Gang Blues ('34).

Covers:

1947:

Billy Hughes

1947:

Roy Hogsed [for the Coast label and in '48 a hit on Capitol]

1948:

Dick Dyson

1951:

Slim Dusty [as Whisky Blues]

1957:

Hank Thompson

1960:

Johnny Cash [as Transfusion Blues; the word cocaine was apparantly out of the question at Columbia (at least before they signed Dylan)]

1962:

Hylo Brown

1968:

Johnny Cash [At Folsom Prison]

1978:

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

1989:

Uncle Tupelo

1999:

Hank Williams III

2011:

Merle Haggard

Not to be confused with Luke Jordan's Cocaine Blues ('27), Rev. Gary Davis's Cocaine Blues ('57) and see also Little Sadie.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

No Facebook No Twitter