Mellow Mama Blues

Album: Mellow Mama (1945)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Also known as "Mellow Man Blues," this was the breakthrough song for (at that time) the rarest of rare birds, a black female songwriter. Jessie Mae Robinson was born Jessie Mae Booker at Call, Texas in October 1918. Although she had been writing songs from her teens, "Mellow Man Blues" was recorded by Dinah Washington in 1945. Both women went on to greater success, but they both had relatively short lives. Dinah died in December 1963 from a drug overdose aged only 39. Jessie May (who wrote professionally as J.M. Robinson) died aged 48 but her songs were recorded widely, including by Elvis Presley. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.