"Crazy Blues," 1920
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African-American vaudeville artist Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues" on Okeh records in August 1920. An instant success that sold more than 70,000 copies in the first month, Mamie Smith's "Crazy Blues" compelled other companies to record African-American blues performers. Although initially produced for the African-American market, these recordings soon became popular among white mainstream audiences.
African-American vaudeville artist Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues" on Okeh records in August 1920. An instant success that sold more than 70,000 copies in the first month, Mamie Smith's "Crazy Blues" compelled other companies to record African-American blues performers. Although initially produced for the African-American market, these recordings soon became popular among white mainstream audiences.
Artifact
Sheet music
Date Made
1920
Subject Date
1920
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
99.153.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Printing (Process)
Photomechanical processes
Color
Blue
Dimensions
Height: 12 in
Width: 8.875 in
Inscriptions
on front, top: CRAZY BLUES / BY PERRY BRADFORD on front, caption of photograph: MAMIE SMITH AND HER JAZZ HOUNDS on front, under photograph: Get this number for your phonograph on Okeh Record No. 4169 / PUBLISHED BY PERRY BRADFORD MUSIC PUB. CO. 1547 BROADWAY, N.Y.C. first line of the verse: I CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT I CAN'T EAT A BITE 'CAUSE THE ONE I LOVE HE DON'T TREAT ME RIGHT... line of chorus: NOW I'VE GOT THE CRAZY BLUES SINCE MY BABE WENT AWAY...
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