Leroy Carr (Nashville, Tennessee, USA, March 27, 1905 - Indianapolis, India… Read Full Bio ↴Leroy Carr (Nashville, Tennessee, USA, March 27, 1905 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, April 29, 1935) was an American blues singer, songwriter and pianist who developed a laid-back, crooning technique and whose popularity and style influenced artists like Nat King Cole and Ray Charles. He first became famous for "How Long, How Long Blues", with the guitarist Scrapper Blackwell on Vocalion Records in 1928 (as Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell), for which Carr wrote the music. The song is commonly referred to as "How Long Blues" and is a blues standard that has been recorded by many artists, not only in blues, but also country and western, pop, and jazz.

Although his recording career was cut short by an early death, Carr left behind a large body of work. He had a long-time partnership with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell. His light bluesy piano combined with Blackwell's melodic jazz guitar to attract a sophisticated black audience. Carr's vocal style moved blues singing toward an urban sophistication, influencing such singers as T-Bone Walker, Charles Brown, Amos Milburn, Jimmy Witherspoon, Ray Charles among others.
Count Basie and Jimmy Rushing used some of Carr's songs and Basie's band shows the influence of Carr's piano style.
His music has been covered by notable artists such as Robert Johnson, Ray Charles, Big Bill Broonzy, Moon Mullican, Champion Jack Dupree, Lonnie Donegan and Memphis Slim.
Carr died of nephritis shortly after his thirtieth birthday.

Sloppy Drunk Blues
Leroy Carr Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'd rather be sloppy drunk
Than anything I know
And another half a pint
Mama will see me go

I love my moonshine whiskey
Better than a filly loves her mare
You can take your pretty bucks

Give me my cool kind can

I'd rather be sloppy drunk
Sitting in the can
Than to be out in the streets
Running from the man

Mmm
Bring me another two-bit pint
Because I got my habits on
And I'm going to wreck this joint

My gal trying quit me
For somebody else

Now I'm sloppy drunk, mama
Sleeping all by myself

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Leroy Carr's "Sloppy Drunk Blues" describe a person's preference for being intoxicated on moonshine whiskey over anything else. The individual declares that they would rather be "sloppy drunk" than anything they know, and they ask for another "half a pint" while mentioning their love for moonshine. The song mentions that while the singer's partner is trying to quit them for someone else, they prefer to be drunk and alone rather than sober and with another person. The singer declares that they would rather be in prison intoxicated than on the streets running from the law, highlighting their affinity for alcohol.

The lyrics of "Sloppy Drunk Blues" express a common feeling among individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction. The lyrics showcase the desperation and hopelessness felt by those who succumb to the lure of alcohol. Despite their partner's attempts to leave them, the singer finds comfort in their addiction, refusing to let it go. The song paints a sad but realistic picture of alcoholism, emphasizing the misery and lonely character that comes with excessive drinking.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd rather be sloppy drunk
I prefer to be completely intoxicated

Than anything I know
More than anything else

And another half a pint
I only need a little more to become completely drunk

Mama will see me go
Mother will see me leave

I love my moonshine whiskey
I have a great affection for my homemade whiskey

Better than a filly loves her mare
More than a filly loves her mare

You can take your pretty bucks
I do not want the fancy drinks

Give me my cool kind can
I prefer my homemade alcohol

I'd rather be sloppy drunk
I prefer to be completely intoxicated

Sitting in the can
Being in jail

Than to be out in the streets
I would rather be in jail

Running from the man
Evading the authorities

Bring me another two-bit pint
Bring me another cheap bottle of alcohol

Because I got my habits on
Because I am addicted to alcohol

And I'm going to wreck this joint
I am going to damage this place

My gal trying quit me
My girlfriend trying to leave me

For somebody else
For another man

Now I'm sloppy drunk, mama
Now I am completely intoxicated

Sleeping all by myself
Sleeping alone

Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@zaq55

3y↑4

The definitive “barrelhouse blues” song

@nudge2626

10y↑4

Great stuff! Keep up the good work. I hope more people come to appreciate their music. I've recently purchased the jsp box sets of all their recordings been listening to it non stop ever since

@amexjam55

9y↑11

'My gal done quite me for somebody else, now I'm sloppy drunk mama sleeping all by myself." :)

@palhacinho1985

Rock roll

@nudge2626

10y↑1

This should have been on youtube a long time ago!

@leroycarr-scrapperblackwel3602

10y↑6

Yeah nudge. Been an admirer of Leroy and Scrapper for a long time and suprised by the lack of their stuff. Hugh Laurie's candy assed version of 'Six cold feet' got me uploading.The original needed to be heard and it kind of snowballed from there. Going to put the rest up shortly.

@fishing1335

You're the best

@adamgoldman9500

3y↑1

Have to thank you: had no idea that Hugh Laurie was a musically inclined. Had to check his version out, and it was respectable. To hear a slide on a vintage steel recorded with contemporary technology, makes it easier to grasp on the old 78s. No doubt Hugh would agree with you that he doesn’t deserve mention in a serious Blues conversation; but if he inspired you to upload the originals I’ll give him some props. Thank you again for making the Leroy and Scrapper material available.