# What Blues song has this opening line? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 20, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088 "2005-10-20T15:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/1 "2005-10-20T15:24:30Z")
My Grandfather recently mentioned an old Blues song he’d heard once, which started with the line: “woke up this mawnin, had to pawn my shoes”. He said he’d never been able to figure out who it was by or what the song was called. Anyone here recognize it? Ideally, I’d like to know the name of the song, the singer, and the rest of the lyrics. Google has failed me utterly. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/2 "2005-10-20T15:27:46Z")
RObert Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues” begins “Woke up this morning, felt around for my shoes…” I wonder if your grandfather simply misheard the line. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/3 "2005-10-20T15:35:18Z")
Also, Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” was very similar to Son House’s songs “Walking Blues” and “Death Letter Blues”, both of which contain the line. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/4 "2005-10-20T18:30:32Z")
> [@F. U. Shakespeare](#): > > Also, Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” was very similar to Son House’s songs “Walking Blues” and “Death Letter Blues”, both of which contain the line. Beat me to it. Here are some lyrics. [**WALKIN BLUES**](http://cattailmusic.com/LyricsandNotes/WalkinBlues.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/5 "2005-10-21T02:17:02Z")
Ooh! Ooh! **Q:** What did it say on the old blues singer’s grave? **A:** Didn’t wake up this morning… Okay, when I first heard that, I thought it was funny. 'Cause so many blues songs start off “Woke up this morning…” ---
**Author:** ![MisterThyristor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MisterThyristor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterThyristor)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/6 "2005-10-21T09:21:40Z")
Maybe he was combining the lyrics (I do that myself sometimes) of _Walking Blues_ and Joshua White’s _Prodigal Son_: “Had to pawn my shoes and clothes, sleep out in the park every night” ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/7 "2010-09-18T20:05:51Z")
The song you are looking for is called “Nothin’ But The Blues” by Gene Gifford, lyrics by Wingy Manone, featuring Bunny Berigan (trumpet) - from the 1930’s. You can find it on the following album: [Bunny Berigan: Pied Piper](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002WTU/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=03XXN2RV7GA1KSWW4BJN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846) You can find more info and a downloadable .mp3 here: [Virtual Victrola: Gene Gifford and His Orchestra Featuring Bunny Berigan](http://www.virtualvictrola.com/gene-gifford/) * * * Nothin’ But The Blues - Gifford/Manone I woke up this mornin’ I had to pawn my shoes I woke up this mornin’ I had to pawn my shoes You know it was Nothin’ but those same old blues ## If things don’t get better I’m gonna have to write a letter to my home…my home If things don’t get better I’m gonna have to write a letter home If I don’t get no answer I’ll have to carry on…have to carry on Good things come to those who wait…5 years, apparently. 😃 ps. My uncle used to play with Bunny Berigan. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/8 "2010-09-18T22:00:36Z")
_I woke up this afternoon Both cars were gone Woke up this afternoon (Lawd) Both cars were gone I felt so low down deep inside I threw my drink across the lawn_ - Martin Mull ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/9 "2010-09-19T05:44:52Z")
Thanks for posting, **Bunny**! I just hope **tim314** has this thread on subscribe or something so he finds his answer! ETA: I sent **tim314** a PM letting him know he had an answer (after 5 years lol). ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/10 "2010-09-19T07:59:20Z")
Actually…before I posted, I checked Tim’s membership…and he had visited the site as of yesterday morning. So, I felt the reply and reactivation of the old thread was warranted. In addition, I PM’d him after I posted…but thanks for the double PM. 😉 I’m sure he will find it. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/11 "2010-09-19T16:18:01Z")
Wow. Answered five years later! I really hope his grandfather is still alive. ETA: nice tune, too. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/12 "2010-09-20T15:33:40Z")
While I have you all here… My often asked question: what is the name of the blues song that contains the line: “I’ve got some real bad habits, Baby, but the one I’m going to lose is you.”? ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/13 "2010-09-20T16:29:10Z")
Wow - you’ve been looking for that one [since at least '04](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279948). Stinkin’ satellite dish torture! 😃 I got the dish alignment blues baby I heard a song and then it went away I got the dish alignment blues baby I heard a song and then it went away :smack: 😕 :smack: 😕 :smack: Hehe. Could it have been Colin James? The lyrics are slightly different than you remember, however. The album [“Bad Habits” by Colin James](http://www.myspace.com/26086185/music/albums/15218740) was from 1995. See Track 7 - click the link above to hear it/MySpace * * * Got a few bad habits baby Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay Got a few bad habits baby Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay I got to cut you loose now baby Before you cause my little heart to break Cut down on my smoking babe And my drinking baby I can cut down on it too Cut down on my smoking babe yeah And my drinking baby I can cut down on it too Don’t you know it ain’t so easy baby I’m trying to cut down on loving you [Solo] ## Got a few bad habits baby Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay Oh got a few bad habits baby Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay Well I have to cut you loose now baby Before you cause my little heart to break Hope that’s it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/14 "2010-09-20T17:13:25Z")
That’s it! Thanks, BunnyBerigan. I’m off to Ebay I love the 'Dope! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/15 "2010-09-20T17:44:31Z")
carnivorousplant: The ironic thing about your request is that the song you were seeking comes from an album that includes a rendition of “Walkin’ Blues” referenced earlier in the thread. :eek: Freakish serendipity at work, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/16 "2010-09-20T17:58:28Z")
[Rod Serling]\*For years searching the “Straight Dope Message Board” for the title of an elusive Blues title misheard while aligning a satellite dish. Little does he know that when he finds it, he will enter…the Twilight Zone. \* [/Rod Serling] ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/17 "2010-09-22T17:42:38Z")
I nawt seez any vampierz in heer! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/18 "2010-09-23T00:07:04Z")
Okay, I am truly in the Twilight Zone. ---
**Author:** ![BunnyBerigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@BunnyBerigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyBerigan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/19 "2010-09-23T23:35:20Z")
Sometimes you just have to test the Outer Limits. But…where is tim? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088/20 "2010-09-24T00:10:00Z")
Well done and welcome **BunnyBerigan** , hope ya stick around. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-blues-song-has-this-opening-line/327088.md?page=2)