jaxson50 Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Stagger Lee is one of the most covered blues songs ever recorded, it's been performed by Big Bands, pop stars, R&B, and Rock n Roll acts as well as by folk singers. Which is your favorite? Here are two version to start off.. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JG-cYTBVMIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 My personal favorite... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 I had not heard the Taj Mahal version before. Thanks. I suppose I like Mississippi John Hurts best of all. It’s one of the first fingerpicked tunes I learned. It’s also more than one song. This early version is the same as ‘Frankie & Johnny’, which was a re-write I think. It carries the alternative title ‘Stack O’ Lee Blues’. I just came across this history piece: http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2011/04/stack-o-lee-stagolee-blues-murder-ballads The song was re-imagined and re-written by & for the Grateful Dead. These are Bob Hunter’s lyrics 1948, Xmas eve, with a full moon over town Stagger Lee shot Billy DeLions And he blew that poor boy down. Do you know what he shot him for? What do you make of that? Cause Billy DeLions threw the lucky dice Won Stagger Lee's Stetson hat. Bayo, Bayo, tell me how can this be? You arrest the girls for turning tricks But you're scared of Stagger Lee. Stagger Lee is a madman and he shot my Billy D. Bayo go get him or give the job to me. Delia DeLions, dear sweet Delia-D How the hell can I arrest him? He's twice as big as me. Well don't ask me to go downtown, I won't come back alive (no more) Not only is that mother big but he packs a .45 (four) Bayo, Delia said, just give me a gun He shot my Billy dead now I'm gonna see him hung. She went into the DeLion's club through Billy DeLions blood Stepped up to Stagger Lee at the bar, Said, "Buy me a gin fizz, love." As Stagger Lee lit a cigarette she shot him in the balls Blew the smoke off her revolver, had him dragged to city hall Bayo, Bayo, see you hang him high He shot my Billy dead and now he's got to die. Delia went a walking down on Singapore Street A three-piece band on the corner played "Near My God to Thee" But Delia whistled a different tune, what tune could it be? The song that woman sung was "Look Out Stagger Lee". The song that Delia sung was "Look Out Stagger Lee". Written by Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Rory Block doesn't get nearly enough attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 This is the one I thought of... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=redRTSunpJQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Dr John's is good - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Great thread. I like all of them for different reasons. I guess that means it just an inherently great song that can be interpreted in many different ways. Nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 The song was re-imagined and re-written by & for the Grateful Dead. These are Bob Hunter’s lyrics Written by Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group You beat me to it. This is the one that is probably my favorite. Just something about the way that Jerry sings that makes it enjoyable to me. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 You beat me to it. This is the one that is probably my favorite. Just something about the way that Jerry sings that makes it enjoyable to me. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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