One of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, Ida Cox (born in 1889) ran away from home when she was 14 to join travelling vaudeville shows such as Clark's Minstrels. Later she moved to Chicago where she made her recording debut in June 1923 with Lovie Austin (pno) on Paramount. She made about a hundred recordings between 1923 and 1940 with some of the best jazz musicians accompanying her, such as Johnny Dodds, Buster Bailey, Charlie Green, Tommy Ladnier, Kid Ory, James P. Johnson, Lester Young... She also wrote blues songs, which were recorded by others such as Bessie Smith (e.g. "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out").
In the 1930s she formed her own show, "Raisin' Cain", with which she toured in the Southern States and performed in a tent.
In 1939 she sang in John Hammond's "From spirituals to swing" concert. In 1945 she suffered a stroke when singing in a club in Buffalo, NY. She then retired in Knoxville, Tennessee although she did record some songs in 1961. She died in 1967 from cancer.
Read about Ida Cox at the All-Music Guide.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..." This blues was later echoed in the similarly-named "The Blues Ain't Nothing But???" by Georgia White. Ida Cox recorded it in April 1924 with Lovie Austin and an unidentified band.
See also:
Oh the blues ain't nothin' but your lover on your mind (2x) The man that keeps you worried, and always cryin' Oh the blues ain't nothin' but a good woman wanting to see her man (2x) She can't get when she want him, gotta catch him when she can Oh the blues ain't nothin' but a slow achin' heart disease (2x) Just like consumption, it kills you by degrees Oh the blues ain't nothin' but a woman that cries night and day (2x) Cryin' about her lover, another woman took him away Oh papa papa papa, mama done gone mad (2x) Oh the blues ain't nothin' but a good woman feelin' bad
Recorded July 1928 for Paramount. From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..."
Daddy oh sweet daddy, please don't drive me away (2x) I love you sweet papa, please let your mama stay Don't let your whiskey, drive away your only friend (2x) You know I've stuck with you, sweet daddy through thick and thin I've worked so hard for you, till morning I was almost dead (2x) Just for daddy to have, some place to lay his weary head But now, I'm bein' treated like a slave (2x) Your goin' to let bad whiskey carry you to your grave
Recorded in July 1928 for the Paramount label. A bit of a "novelty" blues, since broadcasting was still in its infancy then. From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..."
Mister radio announcer, please listen to my plea (2x) Tune in on your radio, and find my man for me I think you might find him, walking down some lonely road (2x) Please call him for me, move my heart this heavy load Call every station, call every ship at sea (2x) Cause I'll give the world, to get him back to me I walked the floor, till I worn out all my shoes (2x) Announce to the world, I've got those broadcasting blues
Recorded in March 1924 for Paramount. From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..."
I'm goin' to Chicago, sorry but I can't take you Yes I'm goin' to Chicago, sorry but I can't take you Cause there's nothin' on State Street, that a monkey man can do I've got a monkey man here, a monkey man over there (2x) If monkey men were money, I'd be a Chicago millionaire I've got fourteen men now, I only want one more I've got fourteen men now, and I only want one more As soon as I can get one, I'll let these fourteen go Now I'm goin' tell you, like the day goes so must you(2x) When you nobody no money, mama can no usin' you I can take my monkey men, and stand them all in line(2x) Anybody can count them, one two three four five six seven eight times
This recording dates from 1925.
Daddy oh daddy, won't you answer me please Daddy oh daddy, won't you answer me please All day I stood by your coffin, tryin' to give my poor heart ease I rubbed my hands over your head and whispered in your ear I rubbed my hands over your head and whispered in your ear And I want my man to know that your mama's near Mmm... (hummed chorus) You told me that you loved me, and I believed what you said You told me that you loved me, and I believed what you said And I wish that I could fall here across your coffin dead When I left the undertakers, I couldn't help but cry When I left the undertakers, I couldn't help but cry And it hurt me so bad, to tell the man I love goodbye.
(Cox - Crump). This is from Collector's Classics LP CC56, from a session recorded by Ida Cox and her All Star Band in New York on 31 October 1939. Her All Stars included a.o. Hot Lips Page on trumpet and James P. Johnson at the piano.
I received a letter that my man was dyin' I received a letter that my man was dyin' I caught the first plane and went home flyin' When I got there the folks had gathered around When I got there the folks had gathered around His eyes was set and his face was full of frowns He wasn't dead but he was slowly dyin' He wasn't dead but he was slowly dyin' And to think of him I just can't help from cryin' I followed my daddy to the buryin' ground I followed my daddy to the buryin' ground I watched the pall bearers slowly let him down That was the last time I saw my daddy's face That was the last time I saw my daddy's face Mama love you sweet papa but I wish I could take your place
This was recorded in July 1928 and issued on 78 rpm Paramount 12690. From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..."
Why do people believe in some old sign? (2x) To hear a hoot owl holler, someone is surely dyin' Some will break a mirror, cry bad luck for seven years (2x) And if a black cat crosses them, they'll break right down in tears To dream of muddy water, trouble is knockin' at your door (2x) Your man is sure to leave you, and never return no more When your man come home evil, tell you you are getting old (2x) That's a true sign he's got someone else bakin' his jelly roll
Ida Cox wrote this number and recorded it on 31 October, 1939 with her All Star Band (including Hot Lips Page, trumpet, and Fletcher Henderson, piano). This is from Collector's Classics LP CC56.
When you lose your money don't lose your mind When you lose your money don't lose your mind When you lose your good man please don't mess with mine And I'm gonna buy me a bulldog to watch my man while he sleeps I'm gonna buy me a bulldog to watch my man while he sleeps Men are so doggone crooked, afraid he might make a four day creep Girls I'm gonna tell you this, ain't gonna tell you nothin' else Girls I'm gonna tell you this, ain't gonna tell you nothin' else Any woman's a fool who thinks she's got a whole man by herself But if you got a good man and don't want him taken away from you Girls if you got a good man and don't want him taken away from you Don't ever tell your friend woman what your man can do Lord Lord I'm getting up in years Lordy Lordy Lordy I'm getting up in years But mama ain't too old to shift her gears And I'm a big fat mama, got the meat shakin' on my bones I'm a big fat mama, got the meat shakin' on my bones And every time I shake, some skinny gal loses her home
(Ida Cox / Collins). Recorded by Ida Cox in 1927, accompanied by Jesse Crump (piano).
Give me a break papa, don't throw your sweet mama down Give me a break papa, don't throw your sweet mama down You treated me so mean, ain't you tired of doggin' me 'round? There was a time when nobody wanted you but me There was a time when nobody wanted you but me You didn't have no friends, you were poor and hungry as could be I took you up and fed you, give you a nice home too I took you up and fed you, give you a nice home too That's why I can't understand why you treat me dirty like you do Now I'm sad and lonely, feel mistreated and blue Now I'm sad and lonely, feel mistreated and blue Won't you give me a break papa, like I gave you?
Recorded October 31, 1939. With her All-Star Band, including Hot Lips Page (trumpet), J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Fletcher Henderson (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar), Artie Bernstein (bass), and Lionel Hampton (drums). From Italian LP Queen-Disc Q-048 (1980).
I never seen such a real hard times before I never seen such a real hard times before The wolf keeps walkin' all 'round my door They howl all night and they moan till the break of day They howl all night and they moan till the break of day They seem to know my good man's gone away I can't go outside to my grocery store I can't go outside to my grocery store I ain't got no money and my credit don't go no more Won't somebody please try and find my man for me Won't you please try and find my man for me Tell him I'm broke and hungry, lonely as I can be If he didn't like my potatoes, why did he dig so deep If he didn't like my potatoes, why did he dig so deep In his mama's potatoe patch, five and ten times a week?
New York, December 20, 1940. With her All-Star Orchestra: Henry Allen (trumpet), J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Cliff Jackson (piano), Billy Taylor (bass), and Jimmy Hoskins (drums).
You wonder why I'm grievin' and feelin' blue? All I do is moan and cry With me you'd be in sympathy if you only knew And here's the reason why: Have you heard what that mean old judge has done to me? He told the jury not to let my man go free There I stood with my heart so full of misery He must die on the gallows, that was the court's decree I walked the floor until his time was through The judge he said there's nothin' you can do He must die on the gallows, by his neck be hung He must pay with his life when that there trap is sprung He refused folks to talk until it was too late He gave his life to satisfy the State When they pull the black cap over my daddy's face Lord I beg the sheriff to let me take his place Now everyday I seem to see that news I cry to hide my tears but what's the use? Thirteen steps with his lovin' arms bound to his side With a smile on his face that's how my daddy died
(Ida Cox). This is from Collector's Classics LP CC56, from a session recorded by Ida Cox and her All Star Band in New York on 31 October 1939. Her All Stars included a.o. Hot Lips Page on trumpet and James P. Johnson at the piano.
I've always heard that haste makes waste So I believe in takin' my time The highest mountain can't be raced It's something you must slowly climb I want a slow and easy man He needn't ever take the lead Cause I work on that long-time plan And I ain't a-lookin' for no speed I'm a one hour mama So no one minute papa Ain't the kind of man for me Set your alarm clock papa One hour, that's proper Then love me like I like to be I don't want no lame excuses 'Bout my lovin' bein' so good That you couldn't wait no longer Now I hope I'm understood I'm a one hour mama So no one minute papa Ain't the kind of man for me I can't stand no greenhorn lover Like a rookie goin' to war With a load of big artillery But don't know what it's for He's got to bring me a reference With a great long pedigree And must prove he's got endurance Or he don't mean that to me I don't like no crowin' rooster What just kicks a lick or two Action is the only booster Of just what my man can do I don't want no imitation My requirements ain't no joke Cause I've got pure indignation For a guy what's lost his stroke I'm a one hour mama So no one minute papa Ain't the kind of man for me Set your alarm clock papa One hour, that's proper Then love me like I like to be I may want love for one hour Then decide to make it two Takes an hour before I get started Maybe three 'fore I'm through I'm a one hour mama So no one minute papa Ain't the kind of man for me
Pink Slip Blues was recorded October 31, 1939. With her All-Star Band, including Hot Lips Page (trumpet), J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Fletcher Henderson (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar), Artie Bernstein (bass), and Lionel Hampton (drums). From Italian LP Queen-Disc Q-048 (1980).
The W.P.A. that Ida sings about was the Works Projects Administration, set up in the 1930s as part of President Roosevelt's "New Deal", to combat unemployment by providing jobs in public works (highways, dams, bridges etc.). W.P.A. employment for women was rather scarce, limited to indoor occupations, so it's no wonder that Ida Cox reacted this way when she learned that she was no longer part of the scheme.
One day every week, I prop myself at my front door One day every week, I prop myself at my front door And the police force couldn't move me 'fore that mail man blow 'Twas a little white paper Uncle Sam had done addressed to me 'Twas a little white paper Uncle Sam had done addressed to me It meant one more week, one week of sweet prosperity But bad news got to spreading, and my poor hair started turning grey But bad news got to spreading, and my poor hair started turning grey Cause Uncle Sam started chopping, cutting thousands off the W.P.A. Just a little pink slip, in a long white envelope Just a little pink slip, in a long white envelope Was the end of my road, was the last ray of my only hope After four long years, Uncle Sam done put me on the shelf After four long years, Uncle Sam done put me on the shelf Cause that little pink slip means you got to go for yourself
From Milestone MLP-2015 "Ida Cox: Blues Ain't Nothin' Else But..." Recorded in 1927 for Paramount.
Every Monday mornin', people just a worrifull day (2x) I think about my daddy, who's many miles away Every Tuesday mornin', whiskey is all I crave (2x) The blues and booze are goin' to carry me to my grave Wednesdays and Thursdays I try to wear the blues away (2x) But when you get 'em about your daddy, they really come to stay Every Friday people, is always my bad luck day (2x) That's the day my man packed up and went away I woke up Saturday mornin', tryin' to find my man (2x) I ain't got nobody to lend me a helpin' hand
Recorded October 31, 1939. With her All-Star Band, including Hot Lips Page (trumpet), J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Fletcher Henderson (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar), Artie Bernstein (bass), and Lionel Hampton (drums). From Italian LP Queen-Disc Q-048 (1980).
I've cried and I worries, all night I lays and groan I've cried and I worries, all night I lays and groan I used to weigh two hundred, now I'm down to skin and bones It's all about my man, who has always kicked and dogged me around It's all about my man, who's always kicked and dogged me around I've tried my best to kill him, but when I do my love comes down I've gone to the gypsy, and beggin' on my bended knees I've gone to the gypsy, beggin' on my bended knees That man put somethin' on me, oh won't you take it off me please It starts at my forehead and goes clean on down to my toes It starts at my forehead and goes clean on down to my toes Oh how I've suffered gypsy, nobody but the Good Lord knows So fix him for me gypsy, lay your money on the line Just fix him for me gypsy, I lay your money on the line Just fix him so he will love me, but please take him off my mind
Recorded in 1927; from French LP Archive of Jazz Vol. 23 (BYG Records)
The time has come for us to part I ain't goin' to cry, it won't break my heart Cause I'm through with you, and I hope you don't feel hurt You're a like an old horse shoe, that's had its day You're like an old shoe, I must go away I'm through with you, and I hope you don't feel hurt You're like an old ship, that sprung a leak You ain't young no more, and your loving is weak Now you know I'm through with you, and I hope you don't feel hurt You ain't got no money, you are down and broke You're just an old has-been, like a worn-out joke Say I'm through with you, and I hope you don't feel hurt
Recorded in 1927; from French LP Archive of Jazz Vol. 23 (BYG Records)
Old pal old pal, you stole my man away (2x) But that's all right, I'll get him back some day You stole my man, between midnight and day (2x) Yes I bet you old pal, I still will make you pay Why should you have, a daddy of your own (2x) Old pal old pal, you better let my man alone Now you says, true friends should understand Old pal you said, true friends should understand But that's no sign we should take each other's man
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