Badass Blues Songs
What characterises badass blues songs?
Is it the swagger of the tune? Could it be the amount of distortion on the guitar, harp or vocals? Or maybe, it’s the attitude of the lead vocalist?
I think it’s probably a combination of all these things at different times. Also, possibly, some other factors that influence the badassery and overall attitude of a blues song.
Let’s have a deeper look at some songs that fit into the category of badass blues.
I Done Got Old - Junior Kimbrough
Kimbrough was as badass as it gets. He set up his own juke joint in Chulahoma, Mississippi around the early 90s so he could play with members of his family to local crowds.
So how does Junior Kimbrough rank in badassness?
Well, after being introduced to Bono and The Edge from the megastars U2, he famously replied, “Yeah, yeah me too, you too.” Bono comments in the documentary, See Me Laughin’, that U2 may have been global superstars but in Holly Springs, Mississippi, you could’ve fit them in a shot glass.
The self confident bluesman’s attitude was that he didn’t want to make other people even more famous by covering their songs. So he wrote his own and they were some of the most badass blues songs ever written.
There was a hubris in many of Kimbrough’s lyrics that allude to his talent as a lover. I Done Got Old (lyrically) is admitting that those things change with age.
Backdoor Man - Willie Dixon
With songs like Evil, Spoonful and Little Red Rooster, Willie Dixon has to be close to the top of the list for badass songwriters.
His instrumentation would be incredible enough on its own. When you listen to his lyrics you realise he is the total package.
In the ominous song, Evil, (recorded by Howlin’ Wolf) he writes, “That’s Evil. Evil is Goin’ on Wrong. I’m Tellin’ You Brother. You Better Watch Your Happy Home.”
A verse in Little Red Rooster mentions hound dog’s beginning to howl and in Spoonful he sings about a spoonful of lead (a bullet) solving his problem with a man moving in on his turf.
This man means business and Backdoor Man is no exception and is one of those songs where ‘swagger’ is the main ingredient. It is oozing cool and is a dynamic vocal performance.
Wang Dang Doodle - Koko Taylor
Well, whaddya know? Willie Dixon wrote this one too.
The thing that makes this one of the truly badass blues songs of all time, however, is Koko Taylor’s rendition.
She is rough as well as tough and makes ya wanna get on the dance floor to shake what ya mama gave ya. There is ‘attitude to spare’ in Taylor’s recording and you genuinely feel like she is not going to take any nonsense from anyone concerned.
Razor Totin’ Jim and Butcher Knife Totin’ Annie, are no match for Koko Taylor when she gets into town and they better look out.
I'm A Man - Bo Diddley
This song has all the bravado of Billy The Kid. It shoots with a six gun on both hips.
With thumping drums, aggressive shakers and a riff that commands your attention, I’m a Man, is as mean as hell.
A song about coming of age, this song was used in a scene in the HBO series, The Sopranos. The main character in the scene is trying to make a name for himself and become a made-man in the mafia. If there’s a better use of a song in a TV series, then I have yet to see it.
Born Under A Bad Sign - Albert King
Any bluesman that plays a Gibson V upside down, through a bass guitar amp, while smoking a tobacco pipe on stage, has my respect.
The thing that gives this inclusion into a list of badass blues songs is not just Albert King’s incredible guitar playing but the songwriting itself.
It was written by William Bell and Booker T of Booker T and The MG’s fame. The riff is addictive and the lyrics about leading a life full of wine and women, despite having bad luck, is brilliant.
Leaving Trunk - Taj Mahal
The blues harp intro to this song is the best ever in the history of blues music!
Bold claim? Yeah, probably, but I dare you to find better.
Then Taj Mahal comes in with some of the most powerful vocals put down on a blues track.
This is the intro to a great album. Then when you consider the fact that Duane Allman based his slide playing style on that album, it kind of puts every song on the track list into the stratosphere of badass blues songs.
Keep It To Myself - Buddy Guy
The opening lines to this song are, “Baby You Know You Ain’t No Fridgadaire. You Can’t Keep Nothin’ Tell Everyting You Here.” Right then, you know you have a badass song coming through your speakers.
Buddy Guy delivers an emotional vocal delivery that hits you right between the eyes.
The horn section is on fire and (in a very rare situation where Buddy Guy is playing) steals the show instrumentally.
Commit a Crime - Howlin' Wolf
In a world that was dominated by twelve bar patterns, Commit a Crime by Howlin’ Wolf, shone as a one chord beacon to those in danger of crashing into the rocks of sameness.
Some folks perceive virtuosity as the gauge of badassery. Then some would trade attitude for instrumental mastery any day of the week.
This song falls into the second category. It’s the Wolf’s gravelly, foreboding vocals that makes this song work so well. He was a master of delivery.
No one delivers badass blues songs like Howlin’ Wolf.
To check out the playlist of these songs, click here ===> Badass Blues Songs Playlist
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