Memphis Minnie (born Lizzie Douglas in Algiers, Louisiana, June 3, 1897 – A… Read Full Bio ↴Memphis Minnie (born Lizzie Douglas in Algiers, Louisiana, June 3, 1897 – August 6, 1973) was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter from the late 1920s to the 1950s, one of the most influential country blues musicians to have ever recorded.
Lizzie Douglas was born on June 3, 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana. She was the eldest from her 13 other siblings. Her parents Abe and Gertrude Douglas nicknamed her the Kid during her early childhood. At the age of 7 she and her family moved to Walls, Mississippi, which was just south of Memphis. The following year after she moved, she received her first guitar for Christmas. She began to practice and learn how to play both the banjo and the guitar and it was seen that she had a great talent as a musician. When she first began performing she did not use her first name Lizzie, but played under the name Kid Douglas. When she was 13 years old she ran away from her home to live on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. She would play on street corners for most of her teenage years and would eventually go home when she ran out of money. She began to get noticed singing and playing guitar on the street corners. This brought an opportunity for her to tour, travel, and play with the Ringling Brothers Circus. Eventually she came back to Beale Street and got consumed in the blues scene. At the time, women, whiskey, and cocaine were high in demand with the people and places she would be around. She made her money by playing guitar, singing, and prostitution, which was not uncommon at the time. Most of the female performers were prostitutes because of financial desperation. It was said “She received $12 for her services-an outrageous fee for the time.” (Memphis Minnie Biography,1). She was known as a woman that was very strong and that could take care of herself.
She had been married three times in her life; first with Will Weldon sometime in the 1920s, then Joe McCoy (1929–1934), and finally to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe), in 1939. She and McCoy would perform together during their marriage. During this time, a talent scout from Columbia Records discovered her. When she and McCoy went to record in New York, she decided to change her name to Memphis Minnie. During the next few years she and McCoy released many singles and duets. She released the song “Bumble Bee” in 1930, which ended up being one of her favorite songs, and led her to a recording contract with the label Vocalion. Under this label, they continued to produce recording for two years, one of them being “I’m Talking About You”, which was one of her more popular songs. They soon decided to leave Vocalion and move to Chicago. She and McCoy introduced country blues to the urban environment and became very well known.
Memphis Minnie continued to have success throughout the years recording under many different labels like Decca Records and Chess Records. Some believe her fame was the reason for her divorce with McCoy due to jealousy and resentment towards her. She remarried after to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe) and began recording material with him. She became very well known in the blues industry and ended up being one of the most famous blues performers of all time, competing with both men and women.
She continued to record throughout the 50’s, but her health began to become a problem for her. She retired from her musical career and ended up going back to Memphis. “Periodically, she would appear on Memphis radio stations to encourage young blues musicians. As the Garons wrote in Women With Guitar, 'She never laid her guitar down, until she could literally no longer pick it up.'” She suffered a stroke in 1960, which caused her to be bound by wheelchair. The following year her husband, Earnest “Little Son Joe” Lawlars died. She had another stroke a short while after and eventually ended up in the Jell Nursing Home. She could no longer survive on her social security income so magazines wrote about her and readers sent her money for assistance. On August 6, 1973 she died of a stroke. She was buried in an unmarked grave at the New Hope Cemetery in Memphis. A headstone paid for by Bonnie Raitt was erected by the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund on October 13, 1996 with 35 family members in attendance including her sister, numerous nieces (including Laverne Baker) and nephews. Her headstone is marked:
Lizzie "Kid" Douglas Lawlers
aka Memphis Minnie
The inscription on the back of her gravestone reads:
"The hundreds of sides Minnie recorded are the perfect material to teach us about the blues. For the blues are at once general, and particular, speaking for millions, but in a highly singular, individual voice. Listening to Minnie's songs we hear her fantasies, her dreams, her desires, but we will hear them as if they were our own."
After her death some of her old work began to surface and some of her songs were featured on blues compilations. She was one of the first 20 blues artists that were inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame.
Lizzie Douglas was born on June 3, 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana. She was the eldest from her 13 other siblings. Her parents Abe and Gertrude Douglas nicknamed her the Kid during her early childhood. At the age of 7 she and her family moved to Walls, Mississippi, which was just south of Memphis. The following year after she moved, she received her first guitar for Christmas. She began to practice and learn how to play both the banjo and the guitar and it was seen that she had a great talent as a musician. When she first began performing she did not use her first name Lizzie, but played under the name Kid Douglas. When she was 13 years old she ran away from her home to live on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. She would play on street corners for most of her teenage years and would eventually go home when she ran out of money. She began to get noticed singing and playing guitar on the street corners. This brought an opportunity for her to tour, travel, and play with the Ringling Brothers Circus. Eventually she came back to Beale Street and got consumed in the blues scene. At the time, women, whiskey, and cocaine were high in demand with the people and places she would be around. She made her money by playing guitar, singing, and prostitution, which was not uncommon at the time. Most of the female performers were prostitutes because of financial desperation. It was said “She received $12 for her services-an outrageous fee for the time.” (Memphis Minnie Biography,1). She was known as a woman that was very strong and that could take care of herself.
She had been married three times in her life; first with Will Weldon sometime in the 1920s, then Joe McCoy (1929–1934), and finally to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe), in 1939. She and McCoy would perform together during their marriage. During this time, a talent scout from Columbia Records discovered her. When she and McCoy went to record in New York, she decided to change her name to Memphis Minnie. During the next few years she and McCoy released many singles and duets. She released the song “Bumble Bee” in 1930, which ended up being one of her favorite songs, and led her to a recording contract with the label Vocalion. Under this label, they continued to produce recording for two years, one of them being “I’m Talking About You”, which was one of her more popular songs. They soon decided to leave Vocalion and move to Chicago. She and McCoy introduced country blues to the urban environment and became very well known.
Memphis Minnie continued to have success throughout the years recording under many different labels like Decca Records and Chess Records. Some believe her fame was the reason for her divorce with McCoy due to jealousy and resentment towards her. She remarried after to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe) and began recording material with him. She became very well known in the blues industry and ended up being one of the most famous blues performers of all time, competing with both men and women.
She continued to record throughout the 50’s, but her health began to become a problem for her. She retired from her musical career and ended up going back to Memphis. “Periodically, she would appear on Memphis radio stations to encourage young blues musicians. As the Garons wrote in Women With Guitar, 'She never laid her guitar down, until she could literally no longer pick it up.'” She suffered a stroke in 1960, which caused her to be bound by wheelchair. The following year her husband, Earnest “Little Son Joe” Lawlars died. She had another stroke a short while after and eventually ended up in the Jell Nursing Home. She could no longer survive on her social security income so magazines wrote about her and readers sent her money for assistance. On August 6, 1973 she died of a stroke. She was buried in an unmarked grave at the New Hope Cemetery in Memphis. A headstone paid for by Bonnie Raitt was erected by the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund on October 13, 1996 with 35 family members in attendance including her sister, numerous nieces (including Laverne Baker) and nephews. Her headstone is marked:
Lizzie "Kid" Douglas Lawlers
aka Memphis Minnie
The inscription on the back of her gravestone reads:
"The hundreds of sides Minnie recorded are the perfect material to teach us about the blues. For the blues are at once general, and particular, speaking for millions, but in a highly singular, individual voice. Listening to Minnie's songs we hear her fantasies, her dreams, her desires, but we will hear them as if they were our own."
After her death some of her old work began to surface and some of her songs were featured on blues compilations. She was one of the first 20 blues artists that were inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame.
Sitting On Top of the World
Memphis Minnie Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Sitting On Top of the World' by these artists:
Al Jolson I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Alexandra Burke I'm gonna be... It was you and me And all those things…
Amanda Marshall Never seen a sky so blue I've never been happy with…
Anderson-Strickland Such a feelin's comin' over me There is wonder in…
B.B. King It rained five days Lord and the clouds turned as…
BBM (Baker Bruce & Moore) For a time I thought my faith It must be hiding Searchin…
Beth Hart One summer day he ran away He gone and left me,…
Bill Monroe It was in the spring one sunny day My good gal…
Bob Dylan Was in the summer One early fall Just tryin' to find my Litt…
Brandy [Feat. Mase] Brandy, Dark Child Mase get Harlem on the rise Come on, come…
Bruce Baker & Moore For a time I thought my faith It must be hiding Searchin…
Cafe R&B It rained five days Lord and the clouds turned as…
Carl Perkins/Van Morrison Mississippi river so big and wide, blond haired woman on…
Charley Patton Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Chris Goss & The Forest Rangers One summer day, she went away Gone and left me, she's…
Clarence Williams I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Cream One summer day, she went away; Gone and left me, she's…
Delta Goodrem Waiting, watching Listening to every little sign I see You a…
Dennis Hayward and His Orchestra I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Derek O'Brien It was in the summer, not in the fall I spent…
Doc Watson Was in the spring One sunny day My sweetheart left me Lord, …
Don McLean Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Doris Day [feat. Frank De Vol And His Orchestra] I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Dr. Isaiah Ross If you don't like what you do Why not change? If you…
Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang One summer day She went away She walked off and left me And…
Frank & Friends I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Grateful Dead Mississippi River so big and wide, blond haired woman on…
Howlin' Wolf One summer day She went away She gone and left me She gone…
Howlin\' Wolf One summer day She went away She gone an left me She gone…
Hubert Sumlin Work all the summer and all the fall Just trying to…
J.D. Crowe and The New South I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
J.P. Richardson Dawn comes and you're up You drink a fast cup Don't keep…
Jack Bruce One summer day she went away She's gone and left me She's…
Jack Bruce & Friends TOP OF THE WORLD ( I’d like to be at the…
Jeff & Sheri Easter I know how it feels to survive I've been afraid, been…
Jeff And Sheri Easter I know how it feels to survive I've been afraid, been…
Jeff Beck Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Jeff Beck featuring Imelda May Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Lenny Kravitz Remember the times we used to play We'd sing and we'd…
Marshall Amanda Never seen a sky so blue I've never been happy with…
Matt Monro Was all the summer, and all the fall, Just trying to…
Mr. Right & Mr. Wrong One summer day She went away Gone and left me…
N.Y. Cole I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
NoMeansNo One summer day She went away Gone and left me…
P.E.D. I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Pinetop Perkins & Willie It was in the summer, not in the fall I spent…
R. L. Burnside And The Sound Machine I don't know nothing, I don't know a thing But if…
R.L. Burnside (Hook) Who are these people all around me I thought you…
R.L. Burnside & the Sound Machine I don't know nothing, I don't know a thing But if…
Ray & Glover I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Ray Charles Worked all summer, And all the fall Had to take my Christmas…
Ray Charles - [EMG] I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along, Just…
Richard Shindell Was in the spring one sunny day My sweetheart left me,…
Robert Cray Band One summer day, she went away She's gone and left me,…
Roxette Hey, I paid my dues, I've had my share of…
T.I. Ft. Ludacris Rich by popular demand The wait is over homie Yes it is A…
Taj Mahal I worked all summer, spring and fall Blonde-headed woman, s…
The Grateful Dead & Janis Joplin Mississippi river so big and wide, blond haired woman on…
The Lost Trailers Looking out on these back streets that you brought me, All…
The Pogues Well it's been a long day but i don't like…
The Robert Cray Band One summer day, she went away She's gone and left me,…
The Spinners Some people say what goes around comes around Don't pick me…
The Toasters Some people count success in money and pearls Some people sp…
The Yardbirds Was all the summer and all the fall Just trying to…
Van Morrison You come here running Holding out your hand I'm gonna get me…
Various Artists oneul bam uri freaky freaky hae yea baby give me some give…
Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel It was in the summer, not in the fall I spent…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Memphis Minnie:
'frisco Town That old 'Frisco train makes a mile a minute That old…
Bad Luck Woman Every man I get, he won't get sick - he…
Bad Outside Friends Sometime I'm thinking Thinking about the times have been Som…
Ball And Chain Blues I'm down by the sea. I'm gonna get me a ball…
Banana Man Blues Now what you got there man? A rug? what do you…
Black Cat Blues I got a big black cat who sits in my…
Black Rat Swing Yes you is one black rat someday i'll find your…
Bone Yard Blues Preachin′ to the public, you don't know a thing Gettin′ read…
Boy Friend Blues I'm alone, traveling by myself I'm alone, traveling by mysel…
Bumble Bee Bumble bee, bumble bee Please come back to me Bumble bee, bu…
Bumble Bee Blues Bumble bee, bumble bee, please come back to me Bumble bee,…
Bumble Bee No. 2 Bumble bee, bumble bee, where you been so long Bumble bee,…
Call The Fire Wagon I was talking to the people that lives in town Why'ever…
Can I Do It for You I want to do something to you, I want to…
Can I Do It for You Pt. 2 KJ: I'll buy your wood and coal, buy your wood and…
Can I Do It for You%2C Part 1 I want to do something to you, I want to…
Cherry Ball Blues I'm down by the sea. I'm gonna get me a ball…
Chickasaw Train Blues I'm goin' tell everybody, what that Chickasaw has done done…
Chicksaw Chain Blues I'm down by the sea. I'm gonna get me a ball…
Chiksaw Train Blues I'm goin' tell everybody, what that Chickasaw has done done…
Crazy Cryin' Blues I been going crazy, I just can't help myself, ahhhhuuuuhahhh…
Diggin' my potatoes They been diggin' my potatoes, How they trampin' on my…
Dirty Mother for You I ain't no doctor, but I'm the doctor's wife You better…
Doctor Doctor stopped me from drinking, boys, I can't smoke no…
Down By The Riverside I live in a cabin, way down by the riverside I…
Down In Alley I met a man, asked me did I want to…
Down in new orleans I'm going back down in New Orleans I'm going back down…
Down In the Alley I met a man, asked me did I want to…
Drunken Barrel House Blues If you listen to me good people, I′ll tell you…
Fishin' Blues Come on baby let's go to the hole - - big black…
Frankie One time my papa had a horse, his name was…
Frankie Jean (That Trottin' Fool) Spoken: One time my papa had a horse, his name was…
Frisco Town That old 'Frisco train makes a mile a minute That old…
Georgia Skin The reason I like the game, the game they call…
Goin' Back to Texas Oh mercy dear, you caused my heart It really is wrong,…
Good Biscuits Listen to my song, ladies, please take strictly understand …
Good Girl Blues I have been a good girl, going to church all…
Good Morning Memphis Minnie - Good Mornin' Well, Good mornin', tell me…
Has anyone seen my man I got a man sweet as he can be Come to…
He's In The Ring Hey, y'all peoples going out tonight, let's go and see…
Hold Me Blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Hole In The Wall There is something wonderful, we can't understand A rat com…
Hoodoo Lady Hoodoo lady, how do you do? They tell me you…
Hustlin' Woman Blues I stood on the corner all night long, counting the…
I I want to do something to you, I want to…
I D Rather See Him Dead Please go tell my baby, tell him just what I…
I Don't Want That Junk Outta You I give you my money and I ain't ashamed Now you…
I Hate To See The Sun Go Down I hate to see evenin' sun go down I hate to…
I M a Bad Luck Woman Every man I get, he won't get sick - he…
I'd Rather See Him Dead Please go tell my baby, tell him just what I…
I'm a Bad Luck Woman Every man I get, he won't get sick - he…
I'm A Gamblin' Woman I'm a gamblin' woman, gamble everywhere I go I'm a gamblin'…
I'm a Gambling Woman Every man I get, he won't get sick - he…
I'm Going Don't You Know Train's at the station, don't you know Who all goin'? Let…
I'm Gonna Bake My Biscuits I got a brand new skillet and a brand new…
Ice Cream Man I got ice man in the spring, coal man in…
Id Rather See Him Dead Please go tell my baby, tell him just what I…
If You See My Rooster If you see my rooster Please run him on back home If…
Im a Gambling Woman Every man I get, he won't get sick - he…
In My Girlish Days Late hours at night, trying to play my hand Through…
It's Hard to Please My Man You keep me thinking, and wondering all the time You keep…
Jockey Man Blues Good morning, blues, please shake hands with me Good mornin…
Keep On Eatin Every time I cook, look like you can't get enough…
Keep On Eatin' Every time I cook, look like you can't get enough Fix…
Keep On Goin I beg you baby, treat me right You don't do nothin'…
Keep on Sailin' Sail on, sail on, ahw baby, sail on Sail on, sail…
Kid Man Blues Good morning, blues, please shake hands with me Good morning…
Killer Diller Blues These are the lyrics as I transcribed them from the…
Kissing In the Dark Call the doctor, call him quick I done got something 'bout…
Let Me Ride I'm a martyr (oh, let me ride) I'm a martyr (oh,…
Lonesome Shack Blues Out across the hill, I built a lonesome shack Out across…
Low Down Dirty Thing I'm might tell everybody What that Chickasaw has done, done …
Ma Rainey I was thinking about Ma Rainey, wonder where could Ma…
Man You Won't Give Me No Money Man you won′t give me no money, you won't buy…
Me Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Me %26 My Chauffeur Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my chauffeur I wants…
Me & My Chauffeur Blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Me And My Chaffeur Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my chauffeur I wants…
Me and my chaffeur blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Me and My Chauffeur Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my chauffeur I wants…
Me and My Chauffeur Blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Memphis Minnie-Jitis Blues I tell all you people, you can rest in ease You…
Moanin' the Blues Oh, the blues got ways sometimes just like a natural…
Moonshine I've got to leave this town, I've got to go…
My And My Chauffeur Blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
My Butcher Man Wonder where is my butcher man now? I've been looking for…
My Strange Man I met a strange man last night, and I taken…
New Bumble Bee I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me I…
New Dirty Dozen Come all you folks and start to walk, I'm fixing…
New Orleans Stop Time من كل جهات المدن الخرسا ألوف شبان زاحفين بينادوا بموت الفجر …
North Memphis Blues I tell all you people, you can rest in ease You…
Nothing In Rambling Nothin’ In Ramblin’ I was born in Louisiana, I was rais…
Nothing Is Rambling I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers And…
Outdoor Blues One cold night, I was out in the frost and…
Pig Meat On The Line Is anybody seen my pig meat on the line? Oh ho,…
Please Don't Stop Him Well, the man I love is long and tall Sometimes I…
Plymouth Rock Blues I got so many chickens, can't tell my roosters from…
Reachin' Pete When you go to Helena stop on Cherry Street When you…
Remember Me Blues Won't you be my chauffeur Won't you be my…
Selling My Pork Chops I met a man the other day ""What you write?"" he…
Singing Snake Blues This house is full of stinging snakes, crawling all in…
Soo Cow Soo Now If you see my cow, tell her hurry home I…
Stinging Snake Blues This house is full of stinging snakes, crawling all in…
Sylvester and His Mule Blues Sylvester went out on his lot, he looked at his…
Tricks Ain't Walking Times has done got hard, work done got scarce Stealing and…
Tricks Ain't Walking No More Times has done got hard, work done got scarce Stealing and…
Warehouse Man Blues Good morning, blues, please shake hands with me Good morning…
What Fault You Find of Me Pt. 1 KJ: Worked all summer and I worked all fall Had take my…
What Fault You Find of Me Pt. 2 MM: I wouldn't mind being your hopping frog Drink muddy wa…
What's The Matter With The Mill KJ: (spoken: Say Minnie! Where you going? MM: (spoken…
What's The Matter With The Mill? Kansas Joe McCoy: Say Minnie! Where you going?…
Whats The Matter With The Mill Say Minnie! Where you going? What you want, Kansas Joe? I'm…
When the Levee Breaks If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break If it…
When The Saints Go Marching Home When the saints go marching home Oh, when the saints go…
Where Is My Good Man Lord I wonder where's my good man at Lord I wonder…
World of Trouble It's a cold, cold morning, I was out in the…
You Can I want to do something to you, I want to…
You Can't Give It Away What is that you're going around here trying so sell? It'ai…
You Dirty Mistreater I ain't no doctor, but I'm the doctor's wife You better…
You Got to Get out of Here When I come and got you behind the bars Run your…
You See My Rooster If you see my rooster Please run him on back home If…
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