Robert Brown (b 15 July 1910, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas – d 6 November 1966, C… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Brown (b 15 July 1910, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas – d 6 November 1966, Chicago), known professionally as Washboard Sam, was an American blues singer and musician.

Reputedly the half-brother of Big Bill Broonzy, Brown moved to Memphis in the 1920s, performing as a street musician with Sleepy John Estes and Hammie Nixon. He then moved to Chicago in 1932, performing regularly with Broonzy, and appearing with him and other musicians including Memphis Slim and Tampa Red on innumerable recording sessions for Lester Melrose of Bluebird Records.

In 1935 he began recording in his own right for both Bluebird and Vocalion Records, becoming one of the most popular Chicago blues performers of the late 1930s and 1940s, selling numerous records and playing to packed audiences. His deep strong voice and talent for creating new songs overcame his stylistic limitations.

By the 1950s, his audience began to shrink, largely because he had difficulty adapting to the new electric blues. His final recording session was held in 1949, he retired from music for several years, and became a Chicago police officer. He recorded a session in 1953 with Big Bill and Memphis Slim, and made a modest but short-lived comeback as a live performer in the early 1960s.

Washboard Sam is buried at Washington Memorial Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois.

References
^ Pearlin, Victor, Washboard Sam Complete Recorded Works Vol.7 31 July 1942 to 27 October 1949, Document Records, 1993.

Back Door
Washboard Sam Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, Tell me Mama
Who' that a while ago?
Tell Me Mama
Who's that a while ago?
Yes, When I come in
Who' that went out that Back Door?
Now you don't come here Mama
I'm gonna start in raising sand

You been out boogly woogling
That's something I can't understand
Now Tell me Mama
Who that a while ago?
Yes, When I come in
Who' that went out that Back Door?
This is something I never seen before
He broke down my bed, got a pallet on my floor
Now Tell me Mama
Who that here a while ago?
Yes, When I come in
Who's that went out that Back Door?
Insrumental
I had the windows nailed all down he couldn't get it through
He had his hat in his hand and his underwear too
So Tell me Baby
Before I get sore
Yes when I come in
Who' that went out that Back door?
He come by me a running, but he likely got his (chance?)
With Thunder in his pants and his shoes in his hands
NowTell me Mama
Who' that a while ago?

Yes, When I come in
Who' that went out that Back Door?

Overall Meaning

The song "Back Door" by Washboard Sam is a classic blues song with lyrics that allude to the unfaithfulness of a partner who sneaks out the back door whenever the singer enters the house. The song begins with the singer asking his "mama" who went out the back door "a while ago." He seems to suspect that his partner is cheating on him and is determined to find out who it was. The singer is clearly upset about what's going on, warning his partner not to come to his place if she doesn't want to raise hell.

The lyrics take a humorous turn in the second verse, with the singer expressing surprise at the fact that his partner managed to break down his bed and leaving him only a pallet on the floor. He continues to ask his mama who went out the back door, seemingly obsessed with finding out who his partner is cheating on him with. In the last verse, the singer reveals that his partner left some of his belongings behind, including his hat and underwear. He threatens to become angry if his partner doesn't tell him who she's seeing.

Overall, "Back Door" is a classic blues song with a strong narrative that reflects the insecurities and suspicions of its protagonist. The song paints a vivid picture of a man struggling to come to terms with his partner's infidelity and is a testament to Washboard Sam's ability to capture strong feelings and emotions through his music.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Tell me Mama
Asking mother to provide some information or detail

Who' that a while ago?
Asking who was present earlier

Tell Me Mama
Reiterating the request for information

Who's that a while ago?
Asking who went out through the back door

Yes, When I come in
Referring to himself as the artist

Who' that went out that Back Door?
Asking about the person who left through the back door

Now you don't come here Mama
Threatening to take action if mother doesn't help

I'm gonna start in raising sand
Causing trouble or complaining if mother doesn't help

You been out boogly woogling
Accusing mother of socializing with disreputable people

That's something I can't understand
Expressing confusion about mother's behavior

This is something I never seen before
Acknowledging that this situation is new

He broke down my bed, got a pallet on my floor
Explaining what the person who left through the back door did

Now Tell me Mama
Requesting more information from mother

Who that here a while ago?
Asking who was present earlier

Yes, When I come in
Referring to himself as the singer

Who's that went out that Back Door?
Asking about the person who left through the back door again

Insrumental
There is an instrumental break here

I had the windows nailed all down he couldn't get it through
Describing what measures were taken to prevent the person from leaving through the window

He had his hat in his hand and his underwear too
Describing what the person took with him when he left

So Tell me Baby
Addressing someone else

Before I get sore
Warning of impending anger if answers aren't provided

He come by me a running, but he likely got his (chance?)
Describing the person who left through the back door running away

With Thunder in his pants and his shoes in his hands
Describing what the person who left through the back door took with him

NowTell me Mama
Requesting more information from mother

Who' that a while ago?
Asking about the person who was present earlier

Yes, When I come in
Referring to himself as the singer

Who' that went out that Back Door?
Asking about the person who left through the back door

Writer(s): Robert Brown Washboard, sam

Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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