Famous Blues Songs that Became Rock Hits

There is no argument that rock music had its origins in the blues. There are many rock songs that are direct interpretations of older, common, blues songs. There are also many rock songs that use guitar riffs taken directly from the blues. This is a list of some common blues songs that later became rock hits.

I Just Want to Make Love to You

A very slow blues tune by Muddy Waters. Later the rock group Foghat made this song into a rock hit by playing it very fast with a solid rock beat.

Crossroads

The original song was called Cross Road Blues and was written by Robert Johnson. Eric Clapton made the song a famous rock song when he was with the group Cream.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

A Buddy Guy song made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn. Stevie Ray took many blues songs and brought them into his style. Technically Vaughn was a blues player. I had to include at least one of his songs. His style is a mix of the blues with rock energy that can't be denied.

I Can't Be Satisfied

Muddy Waters was a great hero of the Rolling Stones. The Stones took their name from one of his songs so it is no surprise for them to record this one that Muddy Waters wrote.

Stormy Monday

T-Bone Walker recording of this song has been picked up by many rock bands. The most famous rendition is one by the Allman Brothers. The Allman Brothers version is considered a rock standard.

Kansas City

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote this slow jazz tune. Blues is a category of jazz but this one has the traditional blues elements. It was later recorded my many rock bands. The Beatles recording of this song was one of their first.

Before You Accuse Me

A Bo Diddley tune later picked up by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Even later this song was performed by Eric Clapton.

Conclusion

This list is only a fraction of blues songs recorded by rock bands. The number of songs that could have made the list is overwhelming. I picked some of the most common rock songs that came from the blues songs that many are familiar with. The origins of many blues songs have been lost. It is possible for an older blues artist to get credit for a song that was actually written by an obscure, long forgotten or never known writer.

Sources: Personal experience from playing in many blues and rock bands.