Sweeping the house after dark is still considered impolite in some African American families. This tradition comes from an ancient West African belief…
Search Results: Language of the Blues (345)
Find out what Robert Johnson and Skip James were talking about when they described being “dry so long”!
The Southern slang term “doney” is rarely heard anymore, but when it is, it’s usually as part of the phrase “no-good doney”…
Blues songs are loaded with boasts, taunts, and jokes. Discover the fun meaning of “The dozens” as sung by Memphis Minnie, and find out the origin of schoolyard taunts and rap’s most prominent feature!
Find out the promiscuous origins of the word “Dog” as sang about by Johnnie Taylor, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and more!
Hear what the word “Dig” means in the blues language according to Albert Collins!
The devil has many names down South, some derived from the Christianization among African slaves of West African trickster deities… Learn all about “Devil” in blues language!
The Delta, the cradle of American music. Find out it’s incredible history and how it gave birth to the blues and rock n roll
At IBC, discover live and in-person what the words in your favorite blues songs really mean from American Blues Scene & The Huffington Post writer Debra Devi!!
Find what the legendary “Crossroads” word means in the blues, and follow it’s amazing, devilish roots all the way back to Africa in this week’s article