Artist: Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers
Author: Charlie Poole
Label: Columbia
Year: 1927
White, washed down version of a risky song about sex and drugs, the "Whiff" title being the original. In 1911 prude Howard Odum collected a version as Honey, Take A One On Me.
Covers:
Memphis Jug Band [as Cocaine Habit Blues, crediting Jennie Mae Clayton, bandleader Will Shade's wife]
Lead Belly [as Take A Whiff On Me during his very first recording session; credited to himself and the Lomaxes]
Lonnie Donegan [top 10 UK as Have A Drink On Me with own lyrics]
Rod McKuen [as Have A Whiff On Me]
Greenbriar Boys [as Take A Whiff On Me]
Lords [as Have A Whiff On Me]
Byrds [as Cocaine Habit Blues and as Take A Whiff On Me]
Mungo Jerry [as Take A Whiff On Me; on EP Lady Rose, n°5 UK; banned by the BBC]
Flying Burrito Brothers [idem]
Ferre Grignard [as Have A Whiff On Me]
David Bromberg [as Take A Whiff On Me]
Stefan Grossman [idem]
Foster & Allen [as Have A Whiff On Me]
White Stripes [as Take A Whiff On Me]
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)