Born in Helena, Arkansas, he left home at an early age to become a busking musician, and after a period wandering through southern Mississippi settled for a time in Memphis, Tennessee. There he played with local orchestras and musicians, such as the Memphis Jug Band. A particular influence was Houston Stackhouse, from whom he learnt to play slide guitar, and with whom he appeared on the radio in Jackson, Mississippi.
After further travels through Mississippi, he found it advisable to take his mother's name, and as Robert Lee McCoy he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Local musicians with whom he played included Henry Townsend, Big Joe Williams, and Sonny Boy Williamson. This led to two recording dates in 1937, the four musicians recording together at the Victor Records studio in Aurora, Illinois, as well as recordings under his own name, including "Prowling Night-Hawk" (recorded 5 May 1937), from which he was take his later pseudonym.
These sessions led to Chicago careers for the other musicians, but not for McCoy, who simply continued his rambling life, playing and recording (for Victor/Bluebird and Decca) solo and with various musicians, under various names. He also became a familiar voice on local radio stations. Then Robert Lee McCoy disappeared.
Within a few years he reappeared as the electric slide-guitarist Robert Nighthawk, and began recording for Chess Records. This was also Muddy Waters' label; the two men's styles were close enough that they were in competition for promotional activity — and as Waters was the more saleable commodity, being more reliable and a more confident stage communicator, he received the attention. Though Nighthawk continued to perform and to record, he failed to achieve any great commercial success.
In 1963, some ten years later, Nighthawk was discovered busking in Chicago, and this led to further recording sessions and club dates, and to his return to Arkansas, where he appeared on the King Biscuit Time radio programme. He had a stroke, followed by a heart attack, and died at his home in Helena.
Recordings
Robert Nighthawk: Prowling with the Nighthawk (Document) — twenty-six sides (1937–1952) recorded for Bluebird, Decca, Aristocrat, and United.
Ramblin' Bob (Saga) — twenty-four sides (1937–1952) recorded for Victor, Decca, Chess, and United.
Black Angel Blues
Robert Nighthawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I likes the way she spread her wing
I've got a sweet black angel
I likes the way she spread her wing
When she spread her wings over me
I gets joy and everything
If my black angel should quit me I believe that I would die
If my black angel should quit me
I believe that I would die
If you don't love me black angel
Please tell me the reason why
Well all right man
Ask my black angel for a nickel
And she give me a ten dollar bill
Ask my black angel for a nickel
And she give me a ten dollar bill
Told her I want a small drink of liquor
And she bought me a whiskey still
Robert Nighthawk's song "Black Angel Blues" is a song about his love for his black angel. The lyrics are a metaphor for his love interest, as he compares her to an angel with wings, and speaks about the joy he feels when she is with him. He sings of the depth of his love and how he believes he would die if she were to leave him. He also asks her if she loves him and if not, to tell him why.
The song is a classic example of blues music, and the lyrics reflect the themes of love, loss, and heartbreak that are common in the genre. Nighthawk's vocals are powerful and emotive, conveying the raw emotions of the song's lyrics.
One of the interesting facts about "Black Angel Blues" is that it was originally written and recorded by Lucille Bogan in 1930 under the title "Black Angel Blues (Sweet Little Angel)". Bogan's version featured somewhat explicit lyrics and was considered too risque for radio play. However, Nighthawk's version featured cleaner lyrics and became a hit on the R&B charts in 1949.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. It is considered a blues standard and is often included in lists of the greatest blues songs of all time.
Chords (Standard Tuning):
Verse: E A E A E B7 E B7
Chorus: A E A E B7 E B7 E B7
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a sweet black angel
I am in love with my partner
I likes the way she spread her wing
I appreciate her physical and emotional openness
When she spread her wings over me
I gets joy and everything
I feel complete and happy when we are together
If my black angel should quit me
I believe that I would die
I am so invested in this relationship that I cannot imagine life without her
If you don't love me black angel
Please tell me the reason why
I need to understand if there is a problem in our relationship
Ask my black angel for a nickel
And she give me a ten dollar bill
She is so generous and loving that she goes above and beyond to take care of me
Told her I want a small drink of liquor
And she bought me a whiskey still
She understands my needs and wants to provide for them in the best way she can
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@congroypadilla166
2023 and here we are still enjoying your beautiful music 🎶 🍻
@bukbukbuk333
He is a true legend, he was playing & was recorded out on Maxwell Street in Chicago! There's recordings of him playing out there!
@vainmay5745
One of the best slide guitar play I've ever heard ❗️
@Vampire-666.
I love music like this!!!!!!!!!!!
@billscherff2827
My favorite by Robert Nighthawk Super Fine
@greghoppe3973
It's been said that Nighthawk played at Muddy Waters wedding reception and had the crowd so worked up that the whole house was shaking. Waters admitted that Nighthawk was a MUCH better guitar player.
@coravisser727
I love it so much brilliant real legend.
@mouldybear
Boy does he shake those strings.
@Maki.1028
レギュラーチューニングのスライド✨
@sonjadietz5297
GENIAL!!!! RIP