Top Ten Songs by Robert Johnson

Only 41 recordings of Robert Johnson's 29 songs survive today, but in 29 songs, Johnson established himself as the father of Rock and Roll. His influence on Muddy Waters and other Blues artists is remarkable, but his true legacy bore fruit in the great guitarist of Rock. Clapton, Paige, Hendrix, and Richards all profess astounding respect for Johnson's small body of work.

Robert Johnson played his journeyman Blues throughout the South in the 1930's. In November 1936, he found himself in San Antonio, TX ready to record what was then considered "ethnic music" between a hillbilly band and a traditional Mexican guitarist. He laid down all 41 tracks and promptly returned to roaming the southland in search of work and women.

Women eventually became his demise when in 1938, he was poisoned with strychnine-laced whiskey by a jealous husband. Of his 29 songs, here are his 10 best and some of the most influential music ever recorded.

10. Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)
Robert Johnson gives a most amazing guitar performance in Preaching Blues. If you listen to this song and then play a copy of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, you have no doubt where Jimmy Paige got his inspiration. Preaching's lyrics treats the Blues as if were a man and a disease, something that creeps up on him and he catches like a "heart disease."

9. Drunken Hearted Man
Drunken Hearted Man is one of Robert Johnson's most powerful vocalizations. The strumming chords are atypical of the Blues, but when balanced with his soulful lyrics, Drunken becomes a Blues classic in the truest sense. The truth of self-discovery is poignant in the lines "I'm a drunken hearted man and sin was the cause of it all. And the day that you get weak for no-good women, that's the day that you bound to fall."

8. Rambling on My Mind
The guitar accents in Rambling on My Mind sound almost like an electric guitar, a device not invented until 15 years after Johnson's death. The amazing fact of this song is that there is only one guitar being played. You would swear you are hearing a duo. The transitions are fast and smooth, giving the illusion of two performers. After hearing Rambling on My Mind, you'll no long wonder why so many of the great guitarist hold Robert Johnson in such high regard.

7. Dust My Broom
After you hear this tune, you swear Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry were channeling Johnson. The off-set of guitar and vocals keep this quick tune stuck in your head. Just great Blues.

6. Traveling Riverside Blues
Johnson brags of all the women he's had and the women he misses in a drop-headed, low voice. If a song can inspired Led Zeppelin to write "The Lemon Song," and lift a line directly from it, it has to be on the list. Just more proof that Robert Johnson had an enduring impact on the world of music.

5. I'm a Steady Rollin' Man
You may know this song from Eric Clapton's cover. The inflection in Johnson's voice changes from low to high as this song progresses. It is almost as the song rolls along, increases speed, to giving the Rollin' Man enough momentum to roll on.

4. Cross Road Blues
Again, this song is well known because of Eric Clapton's cover. Clapton's version is faster, but there is a basic, Bluesy charm about Robert Johnson's original. If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, Clapton's cover speaks volumes.

3 Terraplane Blues
The prototypical song for every song uses automobile mechanics as a metaphor for sex (see also Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Who, Foghat, The Rolling Stones and a myriad of other artists). The theme of the song is that his woman has been unfaithful because she is unresponsive to his advances. You'll recognize these lyrics in their many incarnations since Johnson wrote them:

Who been drivin my terraplane for you since I've been gone
I'd said I flashed your lights mama your horn won't even blow
Got a short in this connectionwell, babe, its way down below
I'm on your hood momma, I'm bound to check your oil

2. Sweet Home Chicago
This has to go on the list. This is one of the most often covered blues tunes of all times.

1. Love in Vain
Shear blues perfection! Insult to injury as the subject has to carry is lover's bags to the train station as she leaves him. Unlike any other of Johnson's songs dealing with ending a relationship, he can't rebound from this affair. Willie Mae truly takes his heart with her when she leaves. There is no revenge planned, just hopelessness.

When the train, it left the station
With two lights on behind
When the train, it left the station
With two lights on behind
Well, the blue light was my blues
And the red light was my mind
All my love's in vain

Why did you think the Clash titled their similarly-themed song "Train in Vain" when it doesn't even mention a train? The title is clearly homage to Robert Johnson, a man who's short life change music.

The entire recordings of Robert Johnson are available on a two CD box set. It is an essential addition for any Blues collection. If for no other reason, add this to your collection for the historical importance.