Hand me down tuesdaY: Pay the Devil (Robert Johnson did)

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When I bring up the genius of delta blues legend Robert Johnson I am often surprised by the amount of people that have yet to hear the voice of the man that created some of the most emotional music ever recorded.  Johnson’s smooth crooning howl coupled with heart heavy songwriting and super skilled guitar playing influenced a plethora of people to pick up instruments and pay homage to him by breathing life into songs that might’ve otherwise not met your ears.

For Johnson, this is definitely one of those scenarios where the covered song is more popular, more known, and often assumed to be written or the ownership of the artist utilizing the hand me down.  A simple example is “Cross Road Blues.”  That song, about Johnson’s supposed soul selling run in with the devil, was originally put to tape in 1936.  However, Cream’s 1968 recording with added verses from Johnson’s “Traveling Riverside Blues” and  rare vocals from Clapton, is the version that comes to the minds of many when thinking about “Crossroads.”

While I definitely love both versions of that song (Jack Bruce’s bass lines murder people), I have a strong affinity for “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues.”  In my opinion, it’s the track that best represents the talent that the devil dealt him.  Take one, two listens and hear the guitar lines full of dirt and dust, the lyrics brimming with shiny toothed swagger, and Johnson’s voice howling with more sweat and blood than a prize fighter at the end of the 12th round.  It’s the perfect song to tap your toe, perk the corner of your lip, and continually rotate your head 360˚.

And I also chose this track because of the hip shaking covers of it.  Leading off is the Rolling Stones version off of Exile on Main St.  (Interesting side note, due to the song’s lack of a copyright, this version is credited to Jagger/Richards)  Here we get a loud and rollicking number that is exactly what  you would’ve expected from the boys in 1972.  Boogie woogie at it’s best.  The harmonica squaks with soul, the lead country guitar is super chunky and the piano kicks the dust off the barroom floor. Near perfect.

But taking the cake for me is the version from the filthified first record of one time newlyweds, Jack and Meg of the White Stripes.  Simple but heavy drumming, minor tambourine rattles and dank garage strumming that just barely shows what a beast Jack can be get the honorable mention ribbon here.  It’s the high pitched vocal delivery and hollering that helps me lose my voice whenever I’m alone with “Stop Breaking Down.” I’ve crushed apples and shifter knobs due to it’s intensity.  Enjoy! Happy tuesdaY!

MP3: Stop Breakin’ Down Blues- Robert Johnson

MP3: Stop Breaking Down- The Rolling Stones

MP3: Stop Breaking Down- The White Stripes