1. Arthur "… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists with the name Blind Blake
1. Arthur "Blind" Blake (c. 1893-c. 1933) was an influential blues singer and guitarist. There is only one photograph of him in existence.
Very little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville, Florida by Paramount Records, but even that is in dispute. Nothing is known of his death. Even his name is not certain. During recordings he was asked about his real name and he answered that his name was Blind Arthur Blake which is also listed on some of the song credits, strengthening his case on his real name, although there is a suggestion that his real name was Arthur Phelps.
Blake recorded about eighty sides for Paramount Records in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was one of the most accomplished guitarists of his genre, with a surprisingly diverse range of material. He is best known for his distinctive guitar sound, whose complex and intricate fingerpicking was comparable in sound and style to a ragtime piano.
His first recordings were made in 1926 and his records sold well. His first solo record was "Early Morning Blues", with "West Coast Blues" on the B-side. He made his last recordings in 1932, the end of his career being aided by Paramount's bankruptcy.
One would surmise, given Blake's importance, celebrity status, popularity and sizeable recorded output that we would know something about the man. And after more than five decades of searching conducted by experts on behalf of Blind Blake, we still don't know anything verifiable about Blake which he doesn't tell us on his records. Practically all of what is "known" about Blind Blake outside of that is a combination of conjecture, rumor, slander and nonsense. At one point a theory was advanced that Blind Blake's true name was "Arthur Phelps" and it is under this name that Blake's entry is filed in Sheldon Harris' Blues Who's Who. But the theory is easily debunked by Blake himself, who states on his 1929 recording "Blind Arthur's Breakdown" that his name is "Arthur Blake." He briefly breaks into Geechee dialect during the course of "Southern Rag," and this advanced a theory that Blake was really born in the Georgia Sea Islands and spoke Geechee as a first language, accounting for his "uncomfortable negro dialect" on records like "Early Morning Blues." But there is nothing wrong with Blake's "negro dialect," thus it was easy to disprove this ridiculous notion.
Blind Blake is known to have had family in the area of Jacksonville, Florida and was likely born there; Blake may have grown up in Georgia. Blake was first seen in Chicago in the mid-1920s. His birth date is assumed to be sometime between 1895-1897, as the only existing photo of Blind Blake, taken at his first Paramount session in August, 1926, shows a man of about thirty. Interviews with some of the musicians personally acquainted with Blake only reveal that he had a seemingly inexhaustible appetite for liquor. No one has discovered any reliable account of what happened to Blind Blake after his last Paramount session in June 1932. The story that has Blake murdered in Chicago shortly after his Paramount date did not hold up after an intensive search of local police files. The most reasonable notion about what might've happened to Blind Blake after 1932 is that he drifted back to Jacksonville and lived a few years more, with 1937 suggested as a possible date of death. In the summer of 1935, Mary Elizabeth Barnicle led an Archive of Folk Song expedition into the area where Blake is likely to have resettled and canvassed it for black musicians, yet never encountered him.
Many of the recordings made by Blind Blake are singled out as classic early blues performances, too many to be listed in detail here. But a few that stand out include "Early Morning Blues," "Too Tight," "Skeedle Loo Doo Blues," "That Will Never Happen No More," "Southern Rag," "Diddie Wa Diddie," "Police Dog Blues," "Playing Policy Blues" and "Righteous Blues." Several of Blind Blake's original tunes are by now country-blues standards, and judging from the further developments in Atlanta-based Piedmont blues, Blake's influence there must've been formidable, even if it came only by way of recordings. Anyone who hears Blind Blake can't help but be astonished by his sincerity, his gentle, off-the-cuff humor and the sheer effortlessness with which he plays some of the most treacherously complex finger-work on the face of creation.
Blind Blake is not to be confused, incidentally, with Blake Higgs, a Bahamian Calypso artist who also recorded as "Blind Blake."
2. Blind Blake was a Bahamian singer active in the 1930s and 1940s, often entertained rich visitors to the island. One of these was the former Edward VIII, who became governor general of the islands. Blind Blake's best known song, "Love, Love Alone", was written in praise of the things the former monarch gave up for love
Skeedle Loo Doo Blues
Blind Blake Lyrics
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cnd my girl I chanced to meet
"Daddy, where you stay last night?
You know you haven't treat me right"
But all night long, "skeedle loo doo" and that's all
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mind
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Everybody, skeed
Skeed, I know you would too
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo
Skeedle loo doo makes me feel so blue, blue, blue, blue
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mi-mind
Skeedle loo doo makes me feel so blue, blue, blue, blue
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Skeedle loo doo, oh, makes me feel so fi-fine
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mi-mi-mind
Ha ha ha, ha, skeedle loo doo, skeedle lee doo, oh
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Skeedle loo all night long
Skeedle loo all day long
Skeedle loo doo, that's all we gon' do
Skeedle loo, now that's all we gon' do
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
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Skeedle loo doo all night long
Skeedle loo doo all day too
Skeedle loo doo, if you can't skeed, I know who can
You'll skeedle loo doo, I know you would!
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Skeedle loo doo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Better skeedle for your last time, skeedle loo
Skeedle loo doo doo, skeedle loo doo
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
The lyrics to Blind Blake's song "Skeedle Loo Doo Blues" may seem nonsensical at first glance, but they actually capture the playful and imaginative spirit of his music. The repeated phrase "skeedle loo doo" serves as a catchy refrain, emphasizing the carefree and joyful attitude of the song.
The opening verse sets the scene with the singer walking down the street and encountering his girlfriend. She questions his whereabouts the previous night, accusing him of mistreating her. However, the singer dismisses her concerns with the simple response of "skeedle loo doo," suggesting that he may have been out having a good time without her.
Throughout the song, the repetition of "skeedle loo doo" reinforces a sense of rhythm and light-heartedness. It becomes a mantra of sorts, a carefree expression that encapsulates the singer's carefree attitude and focus on enjoying life in the moment. The playful nonsense syllables also lend a sense of improvisation and spontaneity to the song, common elements in early blues music.
Overall, "Skeedle Loo Doo Blues" is a whimsical and energetic tune that showcases Blind Blake's skillful guitar playing and his ability to infuse a song with lively charm and humor.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down the street
I was casually strolling along the road
And my girl I chanced to meet
By chance, I encountered my girlfriend
"Daddy, where you stay last night?
"Darling, where did you spend the previous night?
You know you haven't treat me right"
You are aware that you haven't treated me properly"
But all night long, "skeedle loo doo" and that's all
However, throughout the entire night, I could only think about "skeedle loo doo"
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do
I can't help but focus solely on "skeedle loo doo"
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mind
"Skeedle loo doo" is constantly on my mind
Skeedle loo doo makes me feel so fi-fi-fi-fine
Engaging with "skeedle loo doo" brings forth an overwhelming sense of joy
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
I can't help but repeatedly emphasize the significance of "skeedle loo doo"
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Right at this moment, it's all about "skeedle loo doo"
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
Engaging with "skeedle loo doo" is my sole focus and activity!
Everybody, skeed
Everyone, participate in the act of 'skeedling'
Skeed, I know you would too
I'm certain that you would also take part in 'skeedling'
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Continuously emphasize 'skeedle loo' and its significance
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
Right now, it's all about 'skeedle loo doo'
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
'Skeedle loo doo' is my exclusive focus and activity!
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Emphasize the importance of 'skeedle loo doo' once again
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' remains a central part of my life
Skeedle loo doo makes me feel so blue, blue, blue, blue
'Skeedle loo doo' evokes a deep sense of sadness within me
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mi-mind
My mind is continuously occupied by 'skeedle loo doo'
Skeedle loo doo makes me feel so blue, blue, blue, blue
'Skeedle loo doo' intensifies the feeling of melancholy inside me
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo' and its essence are strongly emphasized
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
At this moment, 'skeedle loo doo' is paramount
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
'Skeedle loo doo' is my sole preoccupation and activity!
Skeedle loo doo, oh, makes me feel so fi-fine
'Skeedle loo doo' brings about such a delightful feeling within me
Skeedle loo doo always on my mi-mi-mi-mi-mind
My mind is continuously consumed by 'skeedle loo doo'
Ha ha ha, ha, skeedle loo doo, skeedle lee doo, oh
Expressing amusement through laughter, 'skeedle loo doo' and 'skeedle lee doo' resonate
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
'Skeedle loo doo' is my only focus and activity!
Skeedle loo all night long
'Skeedle loo' persists throughout the entire night
Skeedle loo all day long
'Skeedle loo' endures the entire day as well
Skeedle loo doo, that's all we gon' do
Engaging with 'skeedle loo doo' is our only intention
Skeedle loo, now that's all we gon' do
Therefore, our sole plan is to 'skeedle loo'
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' is constantly repeated and highlighted
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
At this moment, 'skeedle loo doo' is significant
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
'Skeedle loo doo' is my exclusive focus and activity!
Skeedle loo doo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' remains the primary activity
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' continues to persist
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' is repeatedly emphasized
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo' plays a central role in my existence
Skeedle loo doo, skeedle loo doo, now
At this instant, 'skeedle loo doo' takes precedence
Skeedle loo doo, that's all I do!
'Skeedle loo doo' is my sole focus and activity!
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
Emphasize the importance of experiencing 'skeedle loo doo' one last time
Better skeedle for your last time, skeedle loo
It is advisable to indulge in 'skeedle loo' for it may be your final opportunity
Skeedle loo doo doo, skeedle loo doo
'Skeedle loo doo' remains a significant aspect
Skeedle loo, skeedle loo doo doo
'Skeedle loo' and its essence are strongly emphasized
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