What are the Blues, and why have they inspired so many legends?
That is the question I’m set out to answer. From the heavy riffs of Led Zeppelin to the psychedelic mastery of Jimi Hendrix, there is always a Blues pioneer at the end of the lineage. This deep dive isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a journey to better understand the artists we love today by honoring the architects who built the foundation.
In this guide, you’ll find a curated list of essential songs to kickstart your journey, alongside links to my reaction videos on Shebs Reacts.
This is a living document. It will evolve as I take requests from the community and continue my deep-dive research, similarly to what I’ve done with icons like 2Pac, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix.
Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments, subscribe to the channel, and tag along for the ride.
Blues Deep Dive: 50 Essential Tracks
| # | Artist | Song Title | My Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Johnson | Cross Road Blues | Coming Soon |
| 2 | Robert Johnson | Hellhound on My Trail | Watch Video |
| 3 | Charley Patton | Pony Blues | Watch Video |
| 4 | Son House | Death Letter | Coming Soon |
| 5 | Skip James | Devil Got My Woman | Watch Video |
| 6 | Blind Lemon Jefferson | Matchbox Blues | Coming Soon |
| 7 | Mississippi John Hurt | Spike Driver Blues | Coming Soon |
| 8 | Mississippi John Hurt | Candy Man | Coming Soon |
| 9 | Blind Willie McTell | Statesboro Blues | Coming Soon |
| 10 | Bukka White | Fixin’ to Die Blues | Watch Video |
| 11 | Chris Bouchillon | Talking Blues | Watch Video |
| 12 | Bo Carter | Corrine, Corrina | Coming Soon |
| 13 | Memphis Minnie | Me and My Chauffeur Blues | Coming Soon |
| 14 | Lead Belly | Goodnight Irene | Coming Soon |
| 15 | Lead Belly | Where Did You Sleep Last Night | Watch Video |
| 16 | Sonny Terry | Folk-Blues Selection | Coming Soon |
| 17 | Bessie Smith | Downhearted Blues | Coming Soon |
| 18 | Bessie Smith | Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out | Watch Video |
| 19 | Ma Rainey | See See Rider Blues | Coming Soon |
| 20 | Alberta Hunter | Downhearted Blues | Coming Soon |
| 21 | Ethel Waters | Stormy Weather | Coming Soon |
| 22 | Victoria Spivey | Black Snake Blues | Coming Soon |
| 23 | Sister Rosetta Tharpe | Up Above My Head | Coming Soon |
| 24 | Blind Willie Johnson | Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground | Coming Soon |
| 25 | Blind Willie Johnson | Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed | Coming Soon |
| 26 | Lightnin’ Hopkins | Mojo Hand | Coming Soon |
| 27 | Lightnin’ Hopkins | Baby Please Don’t Go | Coming Soon |
| 28 | Blind Boy Fuller | Step It Up and Go | Coming Soon |
| 29 | Rev. Gary Davis | Samson and Delilah | Coming Soon |
| 30 | Muddy Waters | Hoochie Coochie Man | Coming Soon |
| 31 | Muddy Waters | Mannish Boy | Watch Video |
| 32 | Muddy Waters | Rollin’ Stone | Coming Soon |
| 33 | Howlin’ Wolf | Smokestack Lightnin’ | Watch Video |
| 34 | Howlin’ Wolf | Spoonful | Coming Soon |
| 35 | Little Walter | Juke | Coming Soon |
| 36 | Little Walter | My Babe | Coming Soon |
| 37 | Willie Dixon | I Can’t Quit You Baby | Coming Soon |
| 38 | Otis Rush | I Can’t Quit You Baby (Alt) | Watch Video |
| 39 | Sonny Boy Williamson II | Help Me | Coming Soon |
| 40 | Sonny Boy Williamson II | Don’t Start Me Talkin’ | Coming Soon |
| 41 | Jimmy Reed | Big Boss Man | Coming Soon |
| 42 | Jimmy Reed | Baby What You Want Me to Do | Coming Soon |
| 43 | Elmore James | Dust My Broom | Coming Soon |
| 44 | Bo Diddley | Bo Diddley | Coming Soon |
| 45 | John Lee Hooker | Boom Boom | Coming Soon |
| 46 | John Lee Hooker | One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer | Coming Soon |
| 47 | Magic Sam | All Your Love | Coming Soon |
| 48 | Freddie King | Hide Away | Coming Soon |
| 49 | Albert King | Born Under a Bad Sign | Coming Soon |
| 50 | T-Bone Walker | Call It Stormy Monday | Watch Video |
Community Suggestions
The list doesn’t end at 50. Use the comments below to suggest songs for the “Bonus Deep Dives.” Like the comments you agree with, I’ll be picking the most upvoted ones next!
| # | Subscriber | Artist | Song | |
| 51 | @Dr74UK | Sonny Boy Williamson | your funeral and my trial | Coming Soon |
| 52 | Matthew Zuckerman | Bob Dylan | High Water for Charlie Patton | |
| Matthew Zuckerman | Charlie Patton | High Water Everywhere |
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