Cocaine Blues isn’t just a song; it’s a raw, visceral journey through the highs and lows of life tangled with vice. Originally titled “Little Sadie,” this folk classic has seen many iterations, each echoing the haunting consequences of living on the edge. Popularized by Johnny Cash during his legendary Folsom Prison concert, the song delves deep into the tale of a man lost in the throes of cocaine addiction, whose life spirals into chaos culminating in heartbreak and homicide.
What sets “Cocaine Blues” apart isn’t just its candid narrative but its pulsating rhythm, which draws you into a world where every beat is a heartbeat, racing from one bad decision to another. This song doesn’t just tell a story; it makes you feel the frantic, desperate energy of its protagonist. It’s a raw portrayal of the grip of addiction, the rush of adrenaline, and the inevitable crash that follows.
As you listen, it’s almost like sitting across from an old friend who’s confessing his darkest moments. The raw emotion in the lyrics coupled with the relentless tempo creates an experience that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. “Cocaine Blues” is more than a musical track; it’s a cautionary tale that resonates with anyone who’s ever flirted with danger or danced too close to the fire.
The song’s place in history is cemented not only by its compelling narrative but also by its influence on the genre of country music and its exploration of themes that are both personal and universal. It’s a reminder of the power of music to tell stories that are difficult but necessary, inviting listeners to reflect on their own life choices and the paths they’ve taken.
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Lyrics
Early one mornin’ while makin’ the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin’ 44 beneath my head
Got up next mornin’ and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run, but I ran too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez, Mexico
Laid in the hot joints takin’ the pill
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said, “Willy Lee, your name is not Jack Brown
You’re the dirty heck that shot your woman down”
Said, “Yes, sir, yes, my name is Willy Lee
If you’ve got the warrant, just read it to me
Shot her down because she made me slow
I thought I was her daddy, but she had five more”
When I was arrested, I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and it took me back
Had no friend for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail
Early next mornin’ ’bout a half past nine
I spied the sheriff coming down the line
Hopped and he coughed as he cleared his throat
He said, “Come on you dirty heck into that district court”
Into the courtroom, my trial began
Where I was handled by 20 honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw the little judge commence to look about
In about five minutes in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read in the first degree
I hollered, “Lordy, Lordy, have mercy on me”
The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
99 years in the Folsom pen’
99 years underneath that ground
I can’t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down
Come on, you gotta listen unto me
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be
This man has receptions
Mat Lock 850632 and Bad Shoulder 839879
They have receptions (should I come in and help all them?)
Yeah, I doubt that