Clarksdale born and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Lee Hooker.
“Boogie Chillen'” was both John Lee Hooker’s first recording, and his first hit record. Backed by his song “Sally May”, it was recorded in 1948 and it hit No. 1 in the U.S. R&B chart in 1949.
Including in “Boogie Chillen'” is Hooker’s vocal, guitar playing and foot stomps. His vocal alternates between spoken word and singing. Surprisingly, it was also the first deep down home blues song to hit the top of the R&B charts, yet the blues style is North Mississippi Hill country blues, rather than that of the Delta style that came out of John Lee’s hometown in Clarksdale. It was his stepfather, Will Moore, that taught John Lee this piano-driven boogie music style. The lyrics are a combination of earlier blues songs and John Lee’s life exerience (he was 36 years old when he recorded it).
“Boogie Chillen'” was on a direct path to the emergence of rock n’ roll a few years later, and it’s guitar riff can be found in countless songs that it spawned. Tour de force musicians have been heavily influenced by it, as well, most notably Z.Z. Top and Canned Heat.
John Lee with his famous hat and star socks.
Boogie Chillen’
By John Lee Hooker
Well, my mama ‘low me just to stay out all night long
Oh, Lord
Well, my mama ‘low me just to stay out all night long
I didn’t care she ‘low, I would boogie anyhow
When I first came to town, people, I was walkin’ down Hastings Street
Everybody was talkin’ about the Henry Swing Club
I decided I drop in there that night
When I got there, I say, “Yes, people”
They was really havin’ a ball
Yes, I know
Boogie Chillen’
One night I was layin’ down
I heard mama and papa talkin’
I heard papa tell mama let that boy boogie-woogie
It’s in him and it got to come out
And I felt so good
Went on boogin’ just the same