Songs about New Orleans

[saturn]

What is your favourite song that mentions New Orleans or is, in some way, about New Orleans?

I am going to start with Fats - "Walkin to New Orleans" :D

[rosetree]

Here's mine....probably not on a lot of people's list..
Poco - Heart Of The Night Lyrics

In the heart of the night
In the cool southern rain
There's a full moon in sight
Shinin' down on the Pontchartrain
And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She's so full of surprises
She reminds me of you

Chorus:

In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
In the heart of the night
Oh, down in New Orleans

There's a nightbird singing
Right on through till the dawn
And the streets are still ringing
With people carrying on
It's been so long waiting
Just to be here again
Anticipating
All the time I could spend

(Chorus)

And I trust in your love
Never fallin' down
And I trust in your love
Just like I do in this town
Oh, never fallin' down
Oh, never fallin' down

(Saxophone solo)

In the heart of the night
In the cool fallin' rain
There's a full moon in sight
Shinin' down on the Pontchartrain
And the river she rises
Just like she used to do
She's so full of surprises (oh mama)
She reminds me of you (right here)

(Chorus)

And I'm so glad to be back in New Orleans
Please don't wake me, don't shake me
If it's only, if it's only just a dream
Cause it's the only place that I can face
It makes me feel so right
Below that Dixie moon and lovin' you
In the heart of the night

[Headless Hornman]

[warning: adult content]

'Apache Rose Peacock'

Sittin' on a sack of beans
Sittin' down in New Orleans
You wouldn't believe what I've seen
Sitting on that sack of beans

Lunatics on pogo sticks
Another southern fried freak on a crucifix
Hicks don't mix with politics
People on the street just kickin' to the licks

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

Oh good brother just when I thought
That I had seen it all
My eyes popped out, my dick got hard
And I dropped my jaw

I saw a bird walkin' down the block
Name Apache Rose Peacock
I could not speak I was in shock
I told my knees to please not knock

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

A little boy came along
Name of Louis Armstrong
Said that girl who left me silly
She liked the looks of me and my willy

So I found her in the quarter
Good God how I adored her
Oh she made me feel so cozy
When she told me I could call her Rosey

I kiss your hair your skin so bare
I'll take you with me girl anywhere
You fare well in stormy weather
I never met a girl that I like better

Twinkle twinkle little star
Shining down on my blue car
Drivin' down the boulevard
She was soft and I was hard

Apache Rose gotta rockin' peacock
Hottest ass on the goddamn block
Rockin' to the beat of the funky ass meters
She has one of those built in heaters

I kiss your hair your skin so bare
I'll take you with me girl anywhere
You fare well in stormy wheater
I never met a girl that I like better

Voodoo gurus casting their spells
Cockatoo drag queens shakin' their bells
Silver sound escapes the trumpet
Watch your leg someone might hump it

Chicken strut your butt let's rock
Gettin' it on under your frock
Flowing like a flame all through the night
My girl's insane but it's all right

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

--Red Hot Chili Peppers

[Orleansnj]

Excellent question ! Well, there are so many - I do have to admit to liking the House of the Rising Sun - and its many variations. Did you know it was first recorded in the early 1930s? The version most people know was recorded by the Animals.

Of course there is 'Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?' as recorded by Louis Armstrong...

the list is endless.....

[bluedog]

I can't just pick one ... my faves for today are:

"The Avenue" Cowboy Mouth
"Oh My Nola" HCJ surprise surprise!
"City Beneath the Sea" HCJ
"Bourbon Street Parade" Lucien Barbarin version

[bluedog]

just thought of another one I like

"St james Infirmary" (sp)

[bluesmama]

Excellent question ! Well, there are so many - I do have to admit to liking the House of the Rising Sun - and its many variations. Did you know it was first recorded in the early 1930s? The version most people know was recorded by the Animals.

Of course there is 'Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?' as recorded by Louis Armstrong...

the list is endless.....

I love the Animals version of House of the Rising Sun and many other versions I've heard. I sure didn't know that is was recorded in the 30's! Any idea where to find it?

[breambob]

I love the Animals version of House of the Rising Sun and many other versions I've heard. I sure didn't know that is was recorded in the 30's! Any idea where to find it?

bmama, I have a mp3 of Leadbelly (Huddy Ledbetter) doing the song, maybe the first recording of it. I think it was a song he learned from another inmate when he was in jail. I'm fairly sure it's in the public domain so it can be shared freely. email me mgillenATshreveDOTnet and I'll pass it along.

I'm trying real hard not to post this one because it sux so bad, but:
New Orleans Ladies by Louisiana LeRoux
And now I have an awful earworm.

[Headless Hornman]

I'm trying real hard not to post this one because it sux so bad, but:
New Orleans Ladies by Louisiana LeRoux
And now I have an awful earworm.

I was going to curse you but I can't remember how that goes. When I tried to think of a tune about New Orleans ladies one kept playing in my head but it seemed ok. Then I realized I've got the Radiators "Cannibal Girls" as an earworm. Thanks!

[bluesmama]

bmama, I have a mp3 of Leadbelly (Huddy Ledbetter) doing the song, maybe the first recording of it. I think it was a song he learned from another inmate when he was in jail. I'm fairly sure it's in the public domain so it can be shared freely. email me mgillenATshreveDOTnet and I'll pass it along.

I'm trying real hard not to post this one because it sux so bad, but:
New Orleans Ladies by Louisiana LeRoux
And now I have an awful earworm.

Thax bbob! email coming shortly, can't wait to hear!
I see your from s'port - my friends and I are IN THE AREA (inside joke)
see my original post under intro thread - hope to see you at JF!

[MzJoey]

...Jambalaya (on the bayou)!!

City of New Orleans (duh) Arlo Guthrie (is that right?)
and doesnt Honky Tonk Women (RStones) happin in NOLA?
and
John Hiatt -- feels like rain (ohh very sexy song)

[rosetree]

Mz.J...City of New Orleans is a Steve Goodman song popularized by Arlo...just thought you might want to know.....

[MzJoey]

...that Arlo hadn't penned that (although i like the willie nelson cover best)

[glinda]

...Jambalaya (on the bayou)!!

City of New Orleans (duh) Arlo Guthrie (is that right?)
and doesnt Honky Tonk Women (RStones) happin in NOLA?
and
John Hiatt -- feels like rain (ohh very sexy song)

Oh yeah, Feels Like Rain one of my all time fav songs! Buddy Guy does a sweet version.

[Theotherone]

My favorite post-K song is "I Hope You're Comin' Back to New Orleans" by the New Orleans Jazz Vipers.

[pokerchick66]

ZZ Top, baby!

Jesus just left Chicago and He's bound for New Orleans.
Well now, Jesus just left Chicago and He's bound for New Orleans.
Yeah, yeah.
Workin from one end to the other and all points in between.

Took a jump through mississippi, well, muddy water turned to wine.
Took a jump through mississippi, muddy water turned to wine.
Yeah, yeah.
Then out to california through the forests and the pines.
Ah, take me with you, Jesus.

You might not see him in person but hell see you just the same.
You might not see him in person but hell see you just the same.
Yeah, yeah.
You dont have to worry cause takin care of business is His name.

[bluedog]

ZZ Top, baby!

Jesus just left Chicago and He's bound for New Orleans.
Well now, Jesus just left Chicago and He's bound for New Orleans.
Yeah, yeah.
Workin from one end to the other and all points in between.

Took a jump through mississippi, well, muddy water turned to wine.
Took a jump through mississippi, muddy water turned to wine.
Yeah, yeah.
Then out to california through the forests and the pines.
Ah, take me with you, Jesus.

You might not see him in person but hell see you just the same.
You might not see him in person but hell see you just the same.
Yeah, yeah.
You dont have to worry cause takin care of business is His name.

oh yeeeeaaaah sweet song! *pulls down shades and sinks into chair*
forgot about ZZ ...duh! I loved those boys as a punk ass teenager and still do but my musical palet has such an eclectic taste that I just can't seem to keep all my faves on the table at all times. thanx for that reminder! CANT WAIT TILL JF!

[Freakwinox]

Down South in New Orleans..."gotta one way ticket ain't comin' back"

[ozzie]

Tom Waits

Well, I wish I was in New Orleans, I can see it in my dreams...

[pokerchick66]

Go to the Mardi Gras - Professor Longhair

[saturn]

Congo Square - Sonny Landreth :D

[pokerchick66]

Check him out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfdiIvnjnYM&mode=related&search=

[PaulC]

The one that got me long before I knew where it actually came from was by the good Doctor,.. Mr. Mac Rebennack.... Right Place Wrong Time.....

It may not mention New Orleans,.. but since I learned me a lil' sumtin' about the place,.. that kinda funk can't be from anywhere but.....

[PaulC]

Have had this in my fa-vor-ites since that time.....

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4839549

A mighty high five...............

And scroll down for more fine stuff...........

[dank_bass]

...Jambalaya (on the bayou)!!

City of New Orleans (duh) Arlo Guthrie (is that right?)
and doesnt Honky Tonk Women (RStones) happin in NOLA?
and
John Hiatt -- feels like rain (ohh very sexy song)

pretty sure honky tonk woman is memphis

[dank_bass]

Johny Cash (grateful dead) - Big River

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry,
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl.
Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport,
And I followed you, Big River, when you called.

Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on.
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.
Go on, I've had enough; dump my blues down in the gulf.
She loves you, Big River, more than me.

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

[stynger]

I kind of like this one. This is The Band's version with Bobby Charles from The Last Waltz.

Down south in New Orleans,
The prettiest girls I've ever seen.
Sparkling eyes, lips so sweet,
we make love to the Rumba beat.
Ship's at anchor, my suitcase packed,
Got a one way ticket, ain't comin' back.
Life's a pleasure, love's no dream,
Down south in New Orleans.

My dark eyed baby, I'm on my way,
Back into your arms to stay.
I'm tired of work, I wanna play.
I'll make sweet love to you night and day.

Down south in New Orleans,
The prettiest girls I've ever seen.
Sparkling eyes, lips so sweet,
we make love to the Rumba beat.
Ship's at anchor, my suitcase packed,
Got a one way ticket, ain't comin' back.
Life's a pleasure, love's no dream,
Down south in New Orleans.

I want to get too loose, on Toulose Street,
I wanna kiss all the Creole girls I see.
Drink all day, dance all night.
Do it wrong, 'til I do it right.

Down south in New Orleans,
The prettiest girls I've ever seen.
Sparkling eyes, lips so sweet,
we make love to the Rumba beat.
Ship's at anchor, my suitcase packed,
Got a one way ticket, ain't comin' back.
Life's a pleasure, love's no dream,
Down south in New Orleans.

[NeenAtlanta]

"912 Greens" by Ramblin' Jack Elliott

... Stayed around 3 weeks in New Orleans,
Never did see the light of day . . .

[Orleansnj]

I love the Animals version of House of the Rising Sun and many other versions I've heard. I sure didn't know that is was recorded in the 30's! Any idea where to find it?

I don't know where to find it - but it was apparently recorded by Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster. I would actually start with Louisiana Music Factory - my personal favorite for all things music - irrespective of where you live in this world. Their staff is unparalleled. They have an okay website - but if you just pick up the phone and call ....their website is www.louisianamusicfactory.com (http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com)

Happy trails.

[bluesmama]

I don't know where to find it - but it was apparently recorded by Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster. I would actually start with Louisiana Music Factory - my personal favorite for all things music - irrespective of where you live in this world. Their staff is unparalleled. They have an okay website - but if you just pick up the phone and call ....their website is www.louisianamusicfactory.com (http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com)

Happy trails.

Thanx onj, I'll check it out.

bbob, I'm having some issues with my email - will let you know if I get them resolved

[Orleansnj]

Although extremely sad in nature - Sweet Home New Orleans by Dr. John version from the Sipiana Hurricane album that was released post Katrina.....it is good - although not without controversy among long time fans....and talks about a LOT of amazing places in New Orleans. (it was originally part of the album Anuta Zone released in the early 1990s)

And of course - Stakalee (known as Stagger Lee, Stag-o-lee) What is fascinating is that this is a song that originated from an incident up the mississippi river in St. Louis. Two men were fighting and one shot the other - the man who shot Billy was named Lee Sheldon - aka 'Stag' Lee...

It was first recorded in 1927 by Frank Hutchison....(more useless trivia)...but made into the famous song by Leon T. Gross and later revived by Lloyd Price - both of whom are New Orleans natives ......(hence the new orleans connection - lest you think I'm a complete moron)...in the second revivial that's when it moved from Stag-0-Lee to Stagger Lee and as all things New Orleans the local vernacular gave it the distinctive twang.


The night was clear and the moon was yellow
And the leaves came tumbling down

I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark
He was barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' in the dark
It was Stagger Lee and Billy, two men who gambled late
Stagger Lee threw seven, Billy swore that he threw eight

Stagger Lee told Billy, "I can't let you go with that"
"You have won all my money and my brand new stetson hat"
Stagger Lee started off goin' down that railroad track
He said "I can't get you Billy but don't be here when I come back"

Stagger Lee went home and he got his fourty-four
Said "I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe"
Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom door
He said "Nobody move" and he pulled his fourty-four

Stagger Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad
Till the bullet came through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass

[tangledupinblue]

When the Nevilles do, "Shake Your Tambourine" it has me at a very happy place!

"When you go to New Orleans......"

Love it!

[bluesmama]

one we might hear from Van at JF
Baby Please Don't Go

[Theotherone]

The post of the Johnny Cash song reminds me of these lyrics from Dylan's "Tanagled up in Blue":

I had a job in the great north woods
Working as a cook for a spell
But I never did like it all that much
And one day the ax just fell.
So I drifted down to New Orleans
Where I happened to be employed
Workin' for a while on a fishin' boat
Right outside of Delacroix.
But all the while I was alone
The past was close behind,
I seen a lot of women
But she never escaped my mind, and I just grew
Tangled up in blue

A couple of years ago after taking a trip to the "end of the world" (Delacroix) we stopped in at Cafe Brazil and talked to Coco Robicheaux. After telling him of our journey he asked what is it with us folks from Minnesota and Delacroix. Don't know the answer other than its that river thing - the need to complete the journey from beginning to end. Not really - just coincidence.

[Essex Girl]

Excellent question ! Well, there are so many - I do have to admit to liking the House of the Rising Sun - and its many variations. Did you know it was first recorded in the early 1930s? The version most people know was recorded by the Animals.

Of course there is 'Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?' as recorded by Louis Armstrong...

the list is endless.....

It was recorded by Dylan, as well, and in that version it was about a whore house 'tell my baby sister not to do what I have done...'

His version is probably my favourite. I'm going to try and read some Faulkner set in NO and Confederacy of Dunces which I think is set in NO

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Catchas!

[swag]

"The Avenue" has been mentioned already. I have a lot of post-K albums, but I've been playing Voodoo Shop a lot this month, and there's one line that so well expresses the love for the city, so succinctly.

It's just that I never want to be from somewhere else.

[MzJoey]

All that darkroast coffee grind, and that Quartershine, I left behind
Oystershucking knives, latenight dives, churchbell steeple chimes, I said goodbye
Delivered by a savior with a moving van
Deelivered from the city to the country, man
in my Mississippi Home
I ask my friends to come on up, but it's hard to getem just to call
Itso doggone quiet here, you can hear the roaches climb the wall
Slow rockin', listen to cecada serenade
Old biscuit and a nice tall glass of lemonade
in my Mississippi Home
Aw shucks, don't need much, everything's as cozy as can be
There's an angel in the kitchen and another in the nursery
Slow lovin', mmm mmm, and more lovin, mmm mmm
in my Mississippi Home

[Staxsun]

Mardi Gras Mambo - the Hawketts.

Down in New Orleans where the blues was born...........

[tangledupinblue]

You guys remember "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton? Just heard it this morning...

Johnny Cash did a great version. Great old song.

[ScoopJohnD]

NEW ORLEANS
Gary U.S. Bonds

Come on everybody take a trip with me
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.
The honey suckle is bloomin on the honeysuckle vine
And love is bloomin there all the time.
Every Southern belle is a Mississippi queen,
Down the Mississippi down in New Orleans.
Come on take a stroll down to Basin Street
And listen to the music with the Dixieland beat.
The magnolia blossoms fills the air.
If you ain't been to heaven, then you ain't been there.
French moss hangin' from a big oak tree,
Down the Mississippi down in New Orleans.
Come on everybody take a trip with me
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.
The honey suckle is bloomin on the honeysuckle vine
And love is bloomin there all the time.
Every Southern belle is a Mississippi queen,
Down the Mississippi down in New Orleans.

Joan Jett does a killer version of this too.

[glinda]

I said a hey he-ey hey yeah!

[mno]

Tom Waits, I wish I was in New Orleans
Anders Osborne, Summertime in New Orleans
Dr. John, Sweet Home New Orleans
Dr. John, Goin' Back to New Orleans
Anybody, Dancin in the Street (down in New Orleans...)
Chuck Berry, Promised Land (Smokin into New Orleans)
New Orleans Jazz Vipers, I Hope You're Comin Back to New Orleans
Alive and Kickin', Fats Domino
Walkin' to New Orleans, Fats Domino
Red Hot Mama From Louisiana, Parliament Funkadelic
Lady Marmalade, Labelle

and the list goes on and on. Basically if the song mentions or has anything to do with New Orleans, its my favorite song.

[Corona]

Tom Waits, I wish I was in New Orleans
Anders Osborne, Summertime in New Orleans
Dr. John, Sweet Home New Orleans
Dr. John, Goin' Back to New Orleans
Anybody, Dancin in the Street (down in New Orleans...)
Chuck Berry, Promised Land (Smokin into New Orleans)
New Orleans Jazz Vipers, I Hope You're Comin Back to New Orleans
Alive and Kickin', Fats Domino
Walkin' to New Orleans, Fats Domino
Red Hot Mama From Louisiana, Parliament Funkadelic
Lady Marmalade, Labelle

and the list goes on and on. Basically if the song mentions or has anything to do with New Orleans, its my favorite song.
roflmao....me too....we're such freaks :)

[saturn]

Dirty Martini
Joe Jackson

Two in the morning, there's a drink in my hand
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
Nothing moving in this place but sweat
I heard a rumor `bout a Cajun band
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
The bartender says it's early yet
Wait the bartender says it's early yet

Too many olives in too much gin
Steppin' out in the City of Sin
Too much dirty rice and too many beans
Gettin' down and dirty down in New Orleans
Gettin' down and dirty down in New Orleans

Have another, I believe I will
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
And you can stir it with a dirty spoon
There's a prescription that I've got to fill
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
And the Doctor's gonna be here soon
Jimmy says the Doctor's gonna be here soon

Too many olives in too much gin
Steppin' out in the City of Sin
Too much dirty rice and too many beans
Gettin' down and dirty down in New Orleans
Gettin' down and dirty down in New Orleans

[Headless Hornman]

Dirty Martini
Joe Jackson

Two in the morning, there's a drink in my hand
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
Nothing moving in this place but sweat
I heard a rumor `bout a Cajun band
(Dirt Dirt, Dirty Martini)
The bartender says it's early yet
Wait the bartender says it's early yet



Oh yea, forgot about that one. I'm sure most of us have shown up too early for a club show in NO.

Watching the American Experience show last night during the clip of the Causeway grand opening I started humming Dash Rip Rock's Longest Bridge in the World. Can't find any lyrics on the net, but remember trying to sing this line at a few shows:

It's the looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooongest bridge in the world.

A tough sing-a-long for smokers and asthmatics.

[specialed]

Seems weird to me no one mentioned any of these:
Border of the Quarter- Leon Redbone
Back in My Home Town- Champion Jack Dupree
Summertime in New Orleans- Anders Osborne

Here is a tidbit for you, since both of these are mentioned in this thread:
Hank Williams was married to Billie Jean Jones when he died. Johnny Horton was married to the same woman when he died! The last gig(some slight disagreement here-but not really) Hank Williams played was at the Skyline Club in Austin, Tx. The last gig Johnny Horton played was at theSkyline Club in Austin, TX. How's that for weirdness!?

[Orleansnj]

Oh yea, forgot about that one. I'm sure most of us have shown up too early for a club show in NO.

Watching the American Experience show last night during the clip of the Causeway grand opening I started humming Dash Rip Rock's Longest Bridge in the World. Can't find any lyrics on the net, but remember trying to sing this line at a few shows:

It's the looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooongest bridge in the world.

A tough sing-a-long for smokers and asthmatics.

Here it is for ya since it's been asked for twice.....
but it comes with two notes. 1) I transcribed it from a podcast noted below. 2) if any of the lyrics are wrong, my apologies to Dash, their fans, etc. 3) post a correction if you think somethin' in wrong.

Lyrics to the Longest Bridge in the World by Dash Rip Rock

Based upon live, unplugged version from the podcast 9/15/2005 available at http://www.zencast.com/channels/showchannel.asp?mc=5&cid=1283

It’s concrete ribbon cutting across the muddy churn
It’s a high bridge piece of road took a real bad turn

It runs from Mandeville on in to Metairie

It’s the longest bridge a human will ever see

It’s the long…………………………………………….., the longest bridge in the world.

Well, It’s the longest cement turd in the world


Well the fish they are all puzzled
By this awesome span.
When they see the lake ponchartrain causeway it makes ‘em jump in the fryin’ pan

Well it’s a big and grey and ugly and broken but it’s a monument to man. If you want to say it’s a real long bridge – [pause]you can.

It’s the long………. …..everybody sing along…..it’s the long…..everybody who’s ever driven across the causeway – sing it – and you know you cant drive across it anymore because Katrina knocked it down.

It’s the long………………….est bridge in the world. Well it’s the longest cement turd in the world. It’s still the longest (strums guitar)

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Maybe not my favorite, but....... Raining Pain Down In New Orleans Warren Haynes

[breambob]

Seems weird to me no one mentioned any of these:
Border of the Quarter- Leon Redbone
Back in My Home Town- Champion Jack Dupree
Summertime in New Orleans- Anders Osborne

Here is a tidbit for you, since both of these are mentioned in this thread:
Hank Williams was married to Billie Jean Jones when he died. Johnny Horton was married to the same woman when he died! The last gig(some slight disagreement here-but not really) Hank Williams played was at the Skyline Club in Austin, Tx. The last gig Johnny Horton played was at theSkyline Club in Austin, TX. How's that for weirdness!?

Not sure about the disagreement, I think both of their "last gigs" was at the Skyline. Williams hit the road and died a few days later in Ohio. Horton was killed that night. BTW, I know Billie Jean and her daughters (by Johnny) Nina and Michelle. Three of the wildest women I've ever met, easy to see how they could drive any man to heavy drinking.

[specialed]

Breambob,
Being here in the 'final resting place' of Hank Sr., they tell a tale of him showing up at a local musicians union meeting at the Elite Cafe. He tried 2 songs, but was too wasted to finish either one. 3 days later he left Montgomery in the back seat of his Caddy withan 18 yo man, Charlie Carr, driving. I think he died, or was realized to be dead in West Va.-He was on the way to Ohio.
Where did you get to know those Horton women? They up your way?

[frangooch]

Tom Waits--I Wish I Was in New Orleans

L'il Queenie--My Darlin New Orleans

Louis Armstrong--Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans

Basin Street Blues--I like the Dr John version

[mamaroux]

What is your favourite song that mentions New Orleans or is, in some way, about New Orleans?

I am going to start with Fats - "Walkin to New Orleans" :D

my itunes is full of songs about NOLA, Louisiana and Cajuns like:
Acadia to Louisiana, Bruce Daigrepont
Bayou Teche, Doug Kershaw
Born in Louisiana, Gatemouth Brown
Born in New Orleans, Paul Soniat
Cajun Crawfish Boil, Benjy Davis Project
Cajun Man Gets the Blues, Tab Benoit (My FAVORITE!!)
Cajun Stripper, Doug Kershaw
Country Boy Down in New Orleans, Snooks Eaglin
Goin' to Louisiana, John Lee Hooker
Going Back to Louisiana, Delbert McClinton
Houma Girl, In Harms Way
I Love Louisiana, Rosie Ledet
I Love My Louisiana Man, Scooter Lee
I'm Cajun, The Cajun Tradition
I'm Proud to be a Cajun, Johnny Janot
Jolie Blon, Zachary Richard (but by lots of others too, incl Dr. John)
Lady Marmalade, Rosie Ledet
Like a Real Cajun, Michael Doucet
Louisiana, Doug Kershaw
Louisiana 1927, Aaron Nevil, Marcia Ball, Sonny Landreth
Louisiana Bound, Big Joe Williams
Louisiana Love Call, Maria Muldaur
Louisiana Love Shack, Pat Boyack
Louisiana Lover Man, Lonesome Sundown
Louisiana Man, Doug Kershaw, Tab Benoit
Louisiana Rain, Anders Osborne
Louisiana Santa, Wayne Toups
Louisiana Style, Tab Benoit (ohhhh maybe this is number two?)
Louisiana Sunshine, Cyril Nevil and Tab Benoit
Louisiana Way, The Voodudes
Louisiana Woman, Brian Lee
Louisiana Zydeco, Gatemouth Brown
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Dejans Olympia BrassBand
Mardi Gras Starts Tomorrow, Dave Mackenzie
Move to Louisiana, John Mooney
New Orleans, the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra and George French
New Orleans, the Radiators
New Orleans Beat, Steve Riley
New Orleans Bump, Wynton Marsalis
New Orleans Music, Rebirth Brass Band
New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. John and Chris Barber
Night Train to New Orleans, Wayne Toups
Oh Louisiana, Wayne Toups
One Night in New Orleans, Black Hawk
Planet of New Orleans, Dire Strait
Queen of New Orleans, Bon Jovi
Stringbeans at Rock N' Bowl, Rosie Ledet
Take me back to New Orleans, Cowboy Mouth
Summertime in New Orleans, Anders Osborne
Talkin' bout New Orleans, The Meters
That's Enough of that stuff, Marcia Ball
The Battle of New Orleans, Zachary Richard
The New Battle of New Orleans, Ray Stevens
Thibodaux, Louisiana, Tokyo Tramps
Thibodeaux, Louisiana, Marcia Ball (Number three on my list)
Walkin' to New Orleans, Fats Dominio
Walking to New Orleans, Clifton Chenier
We Make a Good Gumbo, Tab Benoit (Number 4)
Welcome to Louisiana, Cajun de la Ruston
What is new Orleans, Kermit Ruffins
When the Levee Breaks, Galactic
... and I left out the subdudes cuz they are on the other computer and not this one!

[saturn]

Thats a very cool list, MamaRoux! :D

[La Ti Da]

Tom Waits--I Wish I Was in New Orleans

L'il Queenie--My Darlin New Orleans

Louis Armstrong--Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans

Basin Street Blues--I like the Dr John version

So many good ones listed here the one I was thinking of is
My Darlin New Orleans - a great tune, I've had it in my head off /n on a couple weeks now, after hearing it on 'oz once or twice recently. It's on the big ol' Box of New Orleans.

Love these lines:
my darlin new orleans
my praline(?) home town

"your magnolia melancholy
how it softly sets me down..."

and

"...your carnival calliope
set me free to play the clown"

[jolie]

[warning: adult content]

'Apache Rose Peacock'

Sittin' on a sack of beans
Sittin' down in New Orleans
You wouldn't believe what I've seen
Sitting on that sack of beans

Lunatics on pogo sticks
Another southern fried freak on a crucifix
Hicks don't mix with politics
People on the street just kickin' to the licks

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

Oh good brother just when I thought
That I had seen it all
My eyes popped out, my dick got hard
And I dropped my jaw

I saw a bird walkin' down the block
Name Apache Rose Peacock
I could not speak I was in shock
I told my knees to please not knock

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

A little boy came along
Name of Louis Armstrong
Said that girl who left me silly
She liked the looks of me and my willy

So I found her in the quarter
Good God how I adored her
Oh she made me feel so cozy
When she told me I could call her Rosey

I kiss your hair your skin so bare
I'll take you with me girl anywhere
You fare well in stormy weather
I never met a girl that I like better

Twinkle twinkle little star
Shining down on my blue car
Drivin' down the boulevard
She was soft and I was hard

Apache Rose gotta rockin' peacock
Hottest ass on the goddamn block
Rockin' to the beat of the funky ass meters
She has one of those built in heaters

I kiss your hair your skin so bare
I'll take you with me girl anywhere
You fare well in stormy wheater
I never met a girl that I like better

Voodoo gurus casting their spells
Cockatoo drag queens shakin' their bells
Silver sound escapes the trumpet
Watch your leg someone might hump it

Chicken strut your butt let's rock
Gettin' it on under your frock
Flowing like a flame all through the night
My girl's insane but it's all right

Yes my favorite place to be
Is not a land called Honah Lee
Mentally or physically
I wanna be in New Orleans

--Red Hot Chili Peppers

Bumping cause I really like this song and love this thread..............

[kapeman]

Traditional-
The Lakes of Pontchartrain

and

Steve Goodmans
City of New Orelans

[bobatude]

luther kents "1999" release "down in new orleans", great cd , song of the same name

2cnd " there is a house in new orleans they call the risin sun"

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Listening to New Orleans Ladies (Live) Tab Benoit w/ Jimmy Hall

[revjimk]

WAY too many to list, but I see people are trying, 2 new pages since I started reading the thread...
I really like the Gary "U.S" Bonds song, and Marcia's version of it too
Also: "Cajun Love Song" Leon Russell, "Blue Bayou" by Roy Orbison, and "New Orleans Jail" by some Swamp Pop cat...(not enough swamp pop at JF, by the way, Lil Band O' Gold is as good a live rock & roll band as there is....)
I saved an article a few years back on "House of the Rising Sun", of course have no idea where it is now, but, as I recall it was first recorded in Library of Congress folk recordings by a white Appalachian woman... Google it?
rev

[Staxsun]

Swamp pop cat = Rod Bernard.

[Headless Hornman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Headless Hornman
[warning: adult content]

'Apache Rose Peacock'

Sittin' on a sack of beans
Sittin' down in New Orleans
You wouldn't believe what I've seen
Sitting on that sack of beans

.......
Bumping cause I really like this song and love this thread..............

:D

I thought that song perfectly describes a Fat Tuesday in the Quarter so I used it on a web page I made with some of my photos from Mardi Gras 1999. This thread prompted me to find an old archive CD and put the page back up.

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/gras99/mg2.htm

Some of these are NSFW (though this link will only bring up tiny thumbnails). This was one of my favorites that day:

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/gras99/d14.jpg

[revjimk]

Thanks, Staxsun.
House of Rising Sun from Wiki:"The oldest known existing recording is by versatile Smoky Mountain artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster and was made in 1933. Ashley said he had learned it from his grandfather, Enoch Ashley."
Roy Acuff also recorded it in 1938.
Interesting that it came from Appalachia, a long way from New Orleans, and that they perceived of N.O. as a dangerous place, way back then..
rev

[NOLA]

Allman Brothers....

Lord, I was born a ramblin man,
Tryin to make a livin and doin the best I can.
And when its time for leavin,
I hope youll understand,
That I was born a ramblin man.

Well my father was a gambler down in georgia,
He wound up on the wrong end of a gun.
And I was born in the back seat of a greyhound bus
Rollin down highway 41.

I'm on my way to New Orleans this mornin,
Leaving out of nashville, tennessee,
Theyre always having a good time down on the bayou,
Lord, them delta women think the world of me.

[NOLA]

Kris Kristofferson (made famous by Janis Joplin)...

Busted flat in baton rouge, headin for the trains,
Feelin nearly faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained,
Took us all the way to new orleans.
Took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
And was blowin sad while bobby sang the blues,
With them windshield wipers slappin time and
Bobby clappin hands we finally sang up every song
That driver knew.

Freedoms just another word for nothin left to lose,
And nothin aint worth nothin but its free,
Feelin good was easy, lord, when bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my bobby mcgee.

From the coalmines of kentucky to the california sun,
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul,
Standin right beside me through everythin I done,
And every night she kept me from the cold.
The somewhere near salinas, lord, I let her slip away,
She was lookin for the love I hope shell find,
Well Id trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday,
Holdin bobbys body close to mine.

Freedoms just another word for nothin left to lose,
And nothin left was all she left to me,
Feelin good was easy, lord, when bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me.
Good enough for me and bobby mcgee.

[NOLA]

Grateful Dead...

Truckin got my chips cashed in. keep truckin, like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin on.

Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on main street.
Chicago, new york, detroit and its all on the same street.
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

Dallas, got a soft machine; houston, too close to new orleans;
New yorks got the ways and means; but just wont let you be, oh no.

Most of the cast that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time theyre sittin and cryin at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.

Truckin, like the do-dah man. once told me youve got to play your hand
Sometimes your cards aint worth a dime, if you dont layem down,

Sometimes the lights all shinin on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been.

What in the world ever became of sweet jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isnt the same
Livin on reds, vitamin c, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is aint it a shame?

Truckin, up to buffalo. been thinkin, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin on.

Sittin and starin out of the hotel window.
Got a tip theyre gonna kick the door in again
Id like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess youre gonna come in.

Busted, down on bourbon street, set up, like a bowlin pin.
Knocked down, it gets to wearin thin. they just wont let you be, oh no.

Youre sick of hangin around and youd like to travel;
Get tired of travelin and you want to settle down.
I guess they cant revoke your soul for tryin,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.

Sometimes the lights all shinin on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been.

Truckin, Im a goin home. whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin on.
Hey now get back truckin home.

[mamaroux]

Listening to New Orleans Ladies (Live) Tab Benoit w/ Jimmy Hall

Isn't that just really great?? I love the way the Tabster does that... especially when Leon is singing with him, naturally.

[mamaroux]

:D

I thought that song perfectly describes a Fat Tuesday in the Quarter so I used it on a web page I made with some of my photos from Mardi Gras 1999. This thread prompted me to find an old archive CD and put the page back up.

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/gras99/mg2.htm

Some of these are NSFW (though this link will only bring up tiny thumbnails). This was one of my favorites that day:

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/gras99/d14.jpg

I'm loving that pic! While the Mona Lisa thing is mega cool... the baby Elvis with binky in her mouth just cracks me up! I could see me dressing Abbie up like that... and Sue dressing Piper up, and Amy dressing Natalie up... we'd have our own little Elvis's brigade! LOL