1) A blues and R&B sing… Read Full Bio ↴Buster Brown is a name of at least two acts:
1) A blues and R&B singer (b. 15 Aug 1911, Cordele, GA, USA - d. 31 Jan 1976, New York), best known for his hit, Fannie Mae (aka Fanny Mae). Album releases include: "The New King of the Blues".
In the 1930s and 1940s he played harmonica at local clubs and made a few non-commercial recordings. These included "I'm Gonna Make You Happy" (1943), which was recorded when he played at the folk festival at Fort Valley (GA) State Teachers College and was recorded by the Library of Congress' Folk Music Archive. He moved to New York in 1956, where he was discovered by Fire Records owner Bobby Robinson.
In 1959 at almost fifty years of age, he recorded the rustic blues, "Fannie Mae", which featured Brown's harmonica playing and whoops - this went to #38, in the U.S. Top 40 and #1 on the R&B chart, in April 1960. His remake of Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five's "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?", Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?, reached #81 on the pop charts later in 1960. Sugar Babe was his only other 1962 hit, reaching #19 on the R&B chart and #99 on the pop chart.
In later years he recorded for Checker Records and for numerous small record labels. He also co-wrote the song Doctor Brown (with John Thomas Brown, aka J.T. Brown), which was covered by Fleetwood Mac, "Mr. Wonderful" (1968).
Sites: Discogs and Wikipedia
2) An Australian rock band, with Gary Anderson (aka Angry Anderson) and Phillip Hugh Rudd (aka Phil Rudd). A root of Rose Tattoo, AC/DC and much that's good about working class Aussie rock.
Buster Brown was an Australian rock and roll band, which featured vocalist Angry Anderson and drummer Phil Rudd, that was formed in Melbourne in 1973. Their sound was hard rock mixed with blues rock influences. Their first album, Something to Say was produced by Lobby Loyde and released in 1974. Rudd left to join an early version of AC/DC while Anderson continued with new line-ups and eventually disbanded the group in November 1975. Anderson joined Rose Tattoo which later included former Buster Brown band mates, Geordie Leach on bass guitar and Dallas 'Digger' Royall on drums.
Buster Brown was formed in Melbourne in 1973 with Gary 'Angry' Anderson on lead vocals (ex-Peace Power and Purity), John Moon on guitar, Paul Grant on guitar, Phil Rudd on drums, Ian Ryan on bass guitar (ex-Ash, Chook) and Chris Wilson on keyboards.[1][2] They enjoyed local notoriety and played at the 1974 Sunbury Festival in January.[3] Later that year, Mushroom Records released a Various Artists live album, Highlights of Sunbury '74 Part 1 which included the group's tracks "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Buster Brown".[1] Early in the year, Geordie Leach replaced Ryan on bass guitar. Along with Coloured Balls, Billy Thorpe, Madder Lake and Chain, they were supported by suburban-based sharpie gangs.[4]
The band's first single, "Buster Brown" was issued in July 1974 by Mushroom Records. Veteran rocker, Lobby Loyde (lead guitarist of Coloured Balls) produced their debut album, Something to Say which was also released in December but by the end of the year the group had split with Rudd joining an early version of AC/DC.[1] A second single, "Something to Say" was subsequently in January 1975. From April to June 1975 the line-up resumed as Anderson, Leach and Wilson with Dennis Miller on guitar and Trevor Young on drums (ex-Coloured Balls).[1][2] In July, Anderson formed a third version of the band with Ken Firth on bass guitar (ex-Tully), Billy Miller on guitar and vocals, Dave Springfield on guitar and drummer Dallas 'Digger' Royal (ex-Band of Talabene).[1][2]
The group disbanded in November 1975, Anderson initially tried to form a band with Loyde.[1] Firth, Miller and Springfield regrouped as The Ferrets.[5] In late 1976 Anderson joined Sydney-based rockers Rose Tattoo which later included former Buster Brown band mates, Geordie Leach on bass guitar and Dallas 'Digger' Royall on drums.[6][7][8] According to Australian rock music historian Ian McFarlane, Buster Brown were "one of the most notorious streetlevel/ boogie outfits of its day ... [they] built up a solid following around the pubs, and among the skinheads on the suburban dance circuit".[1] In 2005, Aztec Music remastered Something to Say on CD with six bonus tracks.[2]
Members
Angry Anderson – vocals (1973–1975)
Ken Firth – bass guitar (1975)
Paul Grant – guitar (1973–1974)
Geordie Leach – bass guitar (1973–1975)
Tony Lunt – drums (1974)
Dennis Millar – guitar (1975)
Billy Miller – guitar, vocals (1975)
John Moon – guitar (1973–1974)
Dallas Royal – drums (1975)
Phil Rudd – drums (1973–1974)
Ian Ryan – bass guitar (1973)
Dave Springfield – guitar (1975)
Chris Wilson – keyboards (1973–1975)
Trevor Young – drums (1975)
Sites: Discogs
Fannie Mae
Buster Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I ain't in any trouble and so much misery
Now Fannie Mae, baby won't you please come home
Fannie Mae ae ae, baby won't you please come home
Yeah I ain't been in debt baby since you been gone
I can hear your name a ringin' on down the line
I can hear your name a ringin' on down the line
I want to know pretty love how do I win my time, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
I know for me, I know for me
Well I ain't been in trouble and so much misery
In Buster Brown's "Fannie Mae," the singer expresses his desire for his lover, Fannie Mae, to return home. He seeks to understand his own emotional state as he recognizes that something is not quite right since Fannie Mae left. He is not struggling financially or in any serious trouble, but he feels a certain sense of misery and unease without her presence. He even hears her name "ringing on down the line," perhaps alluding to his longing for her.
The singer's use of repetition, particularly in the chorus ("Fannie Mae, baby won't you please come home"), emphasizes the depth of his desire for her to return. His use of the term "pretty love" indicates a level of affection and tenderness towards her. The overall tone of the song is that of longing and heartache, a sentiment that is common in blues music.
Overall, "Fannie Mae" is a song about the power of love and the impact it can have on a person's emotional well-being. The singer longs for the return of his lover and recognizes the void that her absence has created in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I want somebody to tell me what's wrong with me
I need someone to help me figure out what is going on with me
Oh I ain't in any trouble and so much misery
I am not in any trouble, but I am very unhappy
Now Fannie Mae, baby won't you please come home
Fannie Mae, I am asking you to come back home
Fannie Mae ae ae, baby won't you please come home
I am pleading with you, Fannie Mae, please come back home
Yeah I ain't been in debt baby since you been gone
I have not been in debt since you left me
I can hear your name a ringin' on down the line
I hear your name being mentioned everywhere I go
I want to know pretty love how do I win my time, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
I want to know, my love, how can I regain the time we have lost
I know for me, I know for me
I am certain about myself, I am sure of myself
Well I ain't been in trouble and so much misery
I have been doing okay, but I am still very unhappy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLARENCE L LEWIS, MORRIS LEVY, WAYMON GLASCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lionelzamora4536
Every time I hear this I gotta grab my blues harmonica and join in. I’m 64 years young now but I remember back in the 70s with the cruise with our low riders and listen to all these. What a glorious time that was northern California listening to Fannie Mae.❤❤❤❤❤❤ rest in peace
@R-bobo
Hey I'm 65 & l just did exactly the same 😅
@els3659
same here, man!! 64 myself, '59 - such a fine vintage!! just started harpin' in a blues band again (popa chubby and stuff...), greeeetings from hamburg, germany
@themannen
In Sweden we call this "car music" and people drive American cars from the 50s today 2022. My parents were born in the 30s played this music for me and my siblings and today when I am 60 years old I LOVE the music. Wow
@mtcats
This Is the only music I don't get tired of. RIP Dad Arnold Parker we will see you when we get there. Keep Rocking!!
@donaldmorrow3096
There are a handful of records that has taught generations how to play the blues. Buster Brown's masterwork is definitely one of them. It is an inspired piece of rotgut blues so forthright that it ended the ten-week reign atop the R&B chart of Brook Benton and Dinah Washington's pop-soul "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)". Artists, famous and street, have been playing and recording this song ever since from the Rolling Stones to Playing for Change, it is that indispensable.
@manabozho
Everything you need, nothin you don't. Great, solid, stripped-down R&B with a hook like a tow truck.
@boomerreb4997
Very well said!
@PC160
This record was my life when I was 14. God I still love it! Thank you, Buster!
@gerwynevans2729
Haven't heard this gem in years, thanks so much for uploading.