She first appeared on stage in Columbus in "A Bunch of Blackberries" at the age of 14. She then joined a traveling vaudeville troupe, the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. After hearing a blues song at a theater in St. Louis sung by a local girl in 1902, she started performing in a blues style. She claimed at that time that she was the one who coined the name "blues" for the style that she specialized in. Musicians and singers who had sang and played in the style said there were no such origins and that the blues had always been. A pioneer in the style, Bunk Johnson said that in the 1880s the blues had already been developed.
She married fellow vaudeville singer William 'Pa' Rainey in 1904, changing her name to Ma Rainey. The pair toured with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels as Rainey & Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues, singing a mix of blues and popular songs. In 1912, she took the young Bessie Smith into the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, trained her, and worked with her until Smith left in 1915.
Also known, though less discussed, is the fact that she was bisexual. Rainey never shied away from her feelings in her music, as is apparent in the lyrics of "Prove It On Me":
"Went out last night with a crowd of my friends,
They must have been women, 'cause I don't like no men.
Wear my clothes just like a fan, Talk to gals just like any old man
'Cause they say I do it, ain't nobody caught me, Sure got to prove it on me."
Rainey was outspoken on women's issues and a role model for future women entertainers who took control of their own careers.
Ma Rainey was already a veteran performer with decades of touring with African-American shows in the U.S. Southern States when she made her first recordings in 1923. Rainey signed with Paramount Records and, between 1923 and 1928, she recorded 100 songs, sometimes accompanied such jazz notables as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Fletcher Henderson and others. Rainey was extremely popular among southern blacks in the 1920s, but the Great Depression and changing tastes ended her career by 1933, when she retired.
Rainey died of a heart attack in 1939.
The 1982 August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was based on her.
Blame It on the Blues
Ma Rainey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so sad and worried got no time to spread the news
Won′t blame it on my troubles, ain't blame it on the blues
Oh Lord, Lord Lordy Lord
Oh Lord, Lord Lordy Lord
Oh Lord, Oh Lord Lord Lord
Lord who won't blame it on them
I can′t blame my daddy, he′s been nice and kind
I can't blame my daddy, he′s been so nice and kind
Can I blame it on my ____ blame it on that trouble of mine
This house is like a graveyard when I live here by myself
This house is like a graveyard when I live here by myself
Can I blame it on my lover, blame it on somebody else
Can't blame my mother, can′t blame my dad
Can't blame my brother for the troubles I′ve had
Can't blame my lover, gotta help my hand
Can't blame my husband, can′t blame my man
Can′t blame nobody, guess I have to blame it on the blues
In "Blame It on the Blues," Ma Rainey expresses feelings of sadness and worry, but acknowledges that she cannot blame her troubles on any specific person or situation. The blues, as a feeling or emotion, are often associated with sadness, melancholy, and difficult times, and Rainey suggests that the source of her sadness may simply be the result of feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges. She questions whether she can blame her lover, her trouble, or anybody else in her life for her current state of mind, but ultimately concludes that it's the blues themselves that are to blame.
At its core, "Blame It on the Blues" is a classic blues song that explores the complexities of human emotion and relationships. Rainey's lyrics express a sense of helplessness and frustration, as she struggles to make sense of her feelings and seeks comfort in the music itself. Throughout the song, Rainey's vocals range from soft and melancholy to forceful and raw, effectively capturing the emotional range of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so sad and worried got no time to spread the news
I am feeling down and troubled but I can't afford to let anyone know at the moment.
Won′t blame it on my troubles, ain't blame it on the blues
My woes might stem from my troubles or the blues, but I won't place blame on any of them.
Oh Lord, Lord Lordy Lord
An exasperated remark, expressing sadness or worry towards the situation.
Lord who won't blame it on them
I don't know anyone who wouldn't point fingers at their issues.
I can′t blame my daddy, he′s been nice and kind
My father has done me no wrong; I cannot blame him for my troubles.
Can I blame it on my ____ blame it on that trouble of mine
I might be able to put my issues onto another thing or person.
This house is like a graveyard when I live here by myself
When I'm alone, this house feels lifeless and empty like a cemetery.
Can I blame it on my lover, blame it on somebody else
Perhaps I can pin my troubles on my lover, or find another person to blame.
Can't blame my mother, can′t blame my dad
I won't accuse my mother, father, or relatives for the tribulations I'm going through.
Can't blame my brother for the troubles I′ve had
My brother is not the cause of the current issues in my life.
Can't blame my lover, gotta help my hand
I shouldn't blame my partner, but put my hands to work so I can overcome my obstacles.
Can't blame my husband, can′t blame my man
I won't shift the blame to my husband or man, as neither are responsible for what I'm going through.
Can′t blame nobody, guess I have to blame it on the blues
I can't put responsibility on anyone else for this, I'll have to accept that it might just be the blues that are causing my distress.
Writer(s): Charles L. Cooke
Contributed by Parker V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emjay5577
Sing it Ma.