Blues on My Mind

Explore female sexuality as expressed in the women's "classic" blues. Discover how race, gender and history contribute to the themes of the women's blues.

Explore the lyric expressions and slang of Big Bill Broonzy's "I Feel So Good."  Although it appears joyful, there is a touch of tension underneath the happiness.

How do the urban blues respond to cheating? Explore confrontation, restraint, agency and humor in the face of cheating in Albert King's "Laundromat Blues."

How do the blues tackle the issue of government relief? What happens when the government fails to help those in need? Explore these issues in Kirk Fletcher's "Welfare Blues."

Underneath seemingly joyous songs often lurks anxiety and concerns specific to African American experience.  Explore the subtext of Sonny Boy Williamson II's "Bring It on Home."

You've been hurt, but you still have faith.  Faith in what? What's going to happen to make things right?  How is this faith expressed?  Explore these questions in Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Farther Up the Road."

Do you ever dream something and wake up to find it isn't true? Does the dream ever make you question your waking life?  Explore these questions in Big Bill Broonzy's "Just a Dream (On My Mind)."

Why construct a violent persona who waits for a fight?  Why include sexual bravado?  What is Muddy Waters ready for in "I'm Ready"?

How does hope turn to sadness, anger and even revenge? How was the Great Migration reflected in the blues?  Explore these questions in Sonny Boy Williamson's "Springtime Blues."

What kind of feelings do you experience waiting to serve time in jail? What if it's a life sentence in a notoriously bad prison?  Explore these questions in Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie's "Joliet Bound"