The song "Backwater Blues" is a blues and jazz standard. It was written by Bessie Smith, and recorded (under the title "Back-water Blues") by her (vocals) and James P. Johnson (piano) on February 17, 1927.
The song has long been associated with the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. However, that flood was at its worst some two months after the song was written. Study of Smith's touring itinerary, of testimony of fellow entertainers who toured with her, and of contemporary reports indicates that the song was written in response to the flood which struck Nashville, Tennessee on Christmas Day 1926. The Cumberland River, which flows through the city, rose 56 feet (17 m) above its normal level, still a record as of 2014.
The lyrics are in the often-used AAB blues format. The words vary from one performer to another; this opening verse is representative:
The song has been covered by many other artists. Notable recordings of the song include:
Lonnie Johnson (1927)Albert Ammons (1930s), (instrumental)Ruby Smith with Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra (1939), Vocalion 4903Lead Belly (1940), Capitol 40130Jimmy Johnson (1943), (instrumental)Josh White (c.1946), Decca 23582Big Bill Broonzy (1951)LaVern Baker (1958), LaVern Baker Sings Bessie SmithDinah Washington with Eddie Chamblee's Orchestra (1958), Dinah Sings Bessie SmithDinah Washington (1958), Newport '58 (recorded live at the Newport Jazz Festival)Dave Van Ronk (1959), Dave Van Ronk Sings Ballads, Blues, and a SpiritualLightnin' Hopkins (1960), Country BluesBob Dylan (1961), Live in New York 1961Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (1961), Backwater BluesCount Basie and His Orchestra with Irene Reid (1962)Alex Harvey and His Soul Band (1964), Alex Harvey and His Soul BandSkip James (1968), The Complete Bloomington, Indiana Concert, March 30, 1968, Document DOCD-5634Colosseum (1969), Those Who Are About to Die Salute YouFrumpy (1973), LiveArchie Shepp and Horace Parlan (1980), Trouble in Mind (instrumental)Philip Sayce (1996), Philip Sayce GroupLong John Baldry (1999), Evening ConversationJay McShann (1999), Still Jumpin' the BluesIrma Thomas (2005), Various Artists/Our New Orleans, Elektra/NonesuchJames Blood Ulmer (2007), Bad Blood in the City: The Piety Street SessionsB.B. King (2008), One Kind FavorThe Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band (2011), How I GoJimmy WitherspoonThe following songs have different words and music from the main subject of this article and from each other, despite their same or similar titles:
"Backwater Blues" – Uncle Dave Macon and Sam McGee (1927)"Tupelo (Backwater Blues)" – John Lee Hooker and Bill Lee (1960), Newport Folk Festival, 1960"Backwater Blues" – Chris Knight (2007), The Trailer Tapes