Although critically acclaimed, John Hammond has had only moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, he enjoys a strong fan base and has earned respect from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Roosevelt Sykes, Duane Allman, Robbie Robertson, and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom have contributed their musical talents to Hammond's records. In addition, he is the only person who ever had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, even if it was only for five days in the 1960s when Hammond played the Gaslight Café in New York. To his regret, they never recorded together.
John Hammond has had a longstanding friendship with songwriter Tom Waits, and has performed Waits' songs on occasion. In 2001, he released Wicked Grin, an album entirely of Tom Waits compositions. Waits himself provided guitar work and backing vocals as well as producing the project.
2. John Hammond was a old time banjo player from the 1920's. He recorded the bluegrass classic 'Little Birdie' in 1925.
Milk Cows Calf Blues
John Hammond Lyrics
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Ooh, milkcow, what on earth is wrong with you?
Now, you have a little calf, hoo hoo, and your milk is turnin' blue
Oh, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck
Now, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck
But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo, I believe he's outta luck
I feel like churnin' it and my milk won't turn
I'm cryin', please, please, don't do me wrong
If you see my milk cow, baby, now how, please, drive her home
But my milkcow been ramblin', hoo hee, for miles around
But my milkcow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around
Well, now how can you suck on some other man's bull cow?
Hoo hoo, in this strange man's town
In John Hammond's song "Milk Cows Calf Blues," we see a story about a milkcow and her calf. The song is filled with tons of bluesy elements from the guitar riffs to Hammond's soulful voice. Throughout the song, we hear Hammond asking the milkcow about what's wrong with her as her milk begins to turn blue. We learn that the milkcow has a little calf that needs her milk, but her milk is no longer any good. The lyrics put us in a question of concern and wonder - why won't the milkcow's milk turn right? Why is it that the calf is now out of luck for not being able to eat?
As the song progresses, we hear Hammond express his frustrations as he too has a cow that won't cooperate. He is crying out for help and is begging someone to drive his milk cow back home. In the final verse, we hear Hammond mention that his milk cow has been wandering around town for miles. He finishes the song by questioning how someone could suck on another's man cow.
Overall, "Milk Cows Calf Blues" is a traditional blues song that reflects the struggles of life. The song speaks to issues of fertility, morality, and the importance of one's livelihood. It is a song that is packed with feelings of sadness and grief and has the unique ability to transport people to a time where life was one struggle after another.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me, milkcow, what on earth is wrong with you?
Asking a cow why its milk has turned blue, indicating something is amiss.
Ooh, milkcow, what on earth is wrong with you?
Reiteration of the previous line with an expression of concern.
Now, you have a little calf, hoo hoo, and your milk is turnin' blue
The cow's milk has turned blue possibly due to the calf not suckling enough.
Oh, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck
The calf is hungry and needs to nurse.
Now, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck
Reiteration that the calf needs to nurse.
But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo, I believe he's outta luck
The calf may not be able to nurse properly as the milk has turned blue.
Now, I feel like milkin' and my cow won't come
The singer wants to milk his cow, but it is not coming to him.
I feel like churnin' it and my milk won't turn
The singer wants to churn his milk but it is not setting.
I'm cryin', please, please, don't do me wrong
The singer pleads for his milk cow to not cause him trouble or disappointment.
If you see my milk cow, baby, now how, please, drive her home
Asking for someone to help return his missing cow to him.
But my milkcow been ramblin', hoo hee, for miles around
The singer’s cow has gone missing and has not been seen for a while.
But my milkcow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around
Reiteration that the cow is still missing.
Well, now how can you suck on some other man's bull cow?
Questioning how one can partake in another man’s possessions.
Hoo hoo, in this strange man's town
The uncertainty of being in an unfamiliar place.
Writer(s): Robert Johnson
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.