WHO THE FUCK IS Robert Johnson?

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson’s poorly documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with his life is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success. He is now recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style.

[Robert Leroy Johnson (8 mai 1911 - 16 août 1938) était un chanteur, compositeur et musicien de blues américain. Ses enregistrements marquants de 1936 et 1937 montrent une combinaison de talents de chanteur, de guitariste et d'auteur-compositeur qui a influencé les générations de musiciens suivantes. La vie et la mort mal documentées de Johnson ont donné naissance à de nombreuses légendes. La plus étroitement associée à sa vie est qu'il a vendu son âme au diable à un carrefour local pour obtenir un succès musical. Il est aujourd'hui reconnu comme un maître du blues, en particulier du style Delta blues.]

Activity 1

Listen to the song ‘Sweet home Chicago’.

 

Activity 2

Sing together Sweet home Chicago karaoke.

 

Activity 3

Look at the Lyrics and try to answer these questions:

                                              - Do you notice anything strange about the lyrics? More precisely?

                                              - What kind of musical style is this?

                                              - What is the general feeling of this musical style?

                                              - Is there any language that talks about a feeling of sadness/struggle?

                                              - Do you believe the legend of Johnson selling his soul to the devil is true? Why?

I. THE SONG
 

II. KARAOKE
 

II. LYRICS

[Verse 1]

Oh, baby, don’t you want to go
Oh, baby, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago

[Verse 2]

Oh, baby, don’t you want to go
Oh, baby, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago

[Verse 3]

Now one and one is two, two and two is four
I’m heavy loaded baby, I’m booked, I gotta go
Cryin’, baby, honey, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago

[Verse 4]

Now two and two is four, four and two is six
You goin’ keep on monkeyin’ ‘round here friend-boy
You goin’' get your business all in a trick
But I'm cryin’, baby, honey, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago

[Verse 5]

Now six and two is eight, eight and two is ten
Friend-boy, she trick you one time she sure gon’ do it again
But I’'m cryin’, hey baby, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago

[Verse 6]

I'm goin’ to California, from there to Des Moines, Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you need my help someday, cryin’
Hey, hey, baby, don’t you want to go
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago