Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair
Bessie Smith
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Judge you want to hear my plea Before you open up your court But I don't want no sympathy 'Cause I done cut my good man's throat I caught him with a trifling Jane I warned him 'bout before I had my knife and went insane And the rest you ought to know Judge, judge, please mister judge, Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, good mister judge, Let me go away from here I want to take a journey To the devil down below I done killed my man I want to reap just what I sow Oh judge, judge, lordy lordy judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, hear me judge Send me to the 'lectric chair I love him so dear I cut him with my barlow (?) I kicked him in the side I stood here laughing o'er him While he wallowed around and died Oh judge, judge, lordy judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, sweet mister judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, good kind judge Burn me 'cause I don't care I don't want no one good mayor To go my bail I don't want to spend no Ninety-nine years in jail So judge, judge, good kind judge Send me to the 'lectric chair
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Written by: GEORGE BROOKS
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist Information"Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair" is performed by Bessie Smith, who is known as the "Empress of the Blues." She was a leading singer of the 1920s and 1930s, and is considered one of the greatest blues vocalists ever.
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Track ReleaseThe song was first recorded and released in 1927 and has gone on to become a classic in the blues genre.
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SongwriterThe song was written by George Brooks, but it is Bessie Smith's vocal delivery that has made the song so memorable.
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Musical Style"Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair" lyrically is representing a condemned woman's last plea in front of a judge. This song is an embodiment of the classic blues theme of defiance and rebelling against the system.
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Cultural ContextThe song brings attention to the use of the electric chair as a form of capital punishment in the United States, which was a prevalent social issue during the 1920s.
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LegacyThe song has been covered by many artists over the years, including David Bromberg, Sue Foley, and Sinéad O'Connor, demonstrating its enduring appeal and influence in the blues genre.
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Awards and RecognitionIn 2015, Bessie Smith and "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair" were introduced into the Grammy Hall of Fame for their historical and cultural significance.
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Personal StruggleThe raw emotion in the song is often associated with Bessie Smith's personal struggles, including her tumultuous relationships and the hardships she experienced as a black woman in a segregate society.
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Cinematic AppearanceThe song was featured in the 2015 HBO biopic "Bessie," with Queen Latifah in the lead role. The rendition earned massive appreciation and brought the song back into the public eye.
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Musical InstructionDespite its age and somber subject matter, "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair" continues to be a popular choice in singing lessons and blues guitar tutorials, emphasizing its enduring musical significance.
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Citation
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"Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34355876/Bessie+Smith/Send+Me+to+the+%27Lectric+Chair>.
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