When I first heard that I pictured the bartender standing behind Billy with a glass in his hand and the bullet broke the glass. Later I realized it referred to the mirror of the back bar.
The first time I heard the song Stagger Lee it was by Taj Mahal. It’s always been my favorite, but the version by Mississippi John Hurt is really good too. There’s a long version of the song where Stagger Lee is hung and the devil doesn’t know if he wants anyone like Stagger Lee in his domain because he’s so bad. I’ll have to look that one up.
I read a few years earlier about this very story behind the ballad. Thanks for showing the story, the Graves, Illustrating the true story of "Stagger Lee." And it's also interesting the trail leading to Lloyd Price recording the song. Price wrote the song "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," which was covered by seemingly everyone, most prominently by Elvis Presley. If I heard right, Price was unhappy with so many recording it that his own version was overlooked. The next year, he took the old ballad, recorded it, and the rest is history.
I'm surprised there was no mention of earlier acoustic versions by John Hurt, Furry Lewis and others. A two part recording by Ukulele Ike is very entertaining and there is a long one by a convict following Stack to Hell with some rather crude details. I got my lyrics from Bob la Beau and sang it at a University music lecture with a cigar box Uke. Both are on TH-cam. My fav line is : " God will take care of your kids and I'll take care of your wife".
Look up the podcast "Our Fake History" that covers more of the known details behind Lee Shelton and William Lyons, as well as how the legend grew from the shooting and subsequent trial. BTW, my understanding about the graves is not they were originally unmarked, just that the markers were not maintained, and were eventually lost.
Thanks for the video. Very interesting. For folks who say they love the song, which version? Here are a few to choose from. th-cam.com/play/PL702wZp45wmCR-cMfK3o2bN9MSWYNmvgq.html
I dont necessarily see why people feel like this song created gangster rap despite it sounding nothing like rap and since songs about people being shot and killed has existed for a long time, especially in country about 70 years ago. Granted in country a lot of the stories are made up but still
I heard he shot that poor boy so bad, that the bullet went through Billie and broke the bartender's glass.
Never take a man's new stetson hat.
Was I the only one who didn't read it but instead...sang the comment! Love this song and that particular line is my favorite!
When I first heard that I pictured the bartender standing behind Billy with a glass in his hand and the bullet broke the glass. Later I realized it referred to the mirror of the back bar.
😅😅😂😂
I heard that too.
Found out about this guy through blues gutair player Mississippi John Hurt in his song Stack O Lee
Love this song
The first time I heard the song Stagger Lee it was by Taj Mahal. It’s always been my favorite, but the version by Mississippi John Hurt is really good too.
There’s a long version of the song where Stagger Lee is hung and the devil doesn’t know if he wants anyone like Stagger Lee in his domain because he’s so bad. I’ll have to look that one up.
Thanks for the info!
I read a few years earlier about this very story behind the ballad. Thanks for showing the story, the Graves, Illustrating the true story of "Stagger Lee."
And it's also interesting the trail leading to Lloyd Price recording the song. Price wrote the song "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," which was covered by seemingly everyone, most prominently by Elvis Presley. If I heard right, Price was unhappy with so many recording it that his own version was overlooked. The next year, he took the old ballad, recorded it, and the rest is history.
Very interesting trivia. Thanks for watching!
Good one brother very interesting!
Wonderful song. Thanks for sharing. 😊
It was the hat. Stag Lee messed up Willie's hat, so Willie took Stag's. Stag shot Willie's in the abdomen, a wound from which he died.
Amazing song and Nick cave's take on it is stunning 🤟🏼
I wasn't expecting to see Grant Green's grave on a stagger lee video ^^
Wilbert Harrison also recorded this song.
Best version!!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
I'm surprised there was no
mention of earlier acoustic
versions by John Hurt, Furry
Lewis and others. A two part
recording by Ukulele Ike is very
entertaining and there is a long
one by a convict following Stack to Hell with some rather
crude details. I got my lyrics
from Bob la Beau and sang it
at a University music lecture
with a cigar box Uke. Both are
on TH-cam. My fav line is :
" God will take care of your kids and I'll take care of your
wife".
That bad man
Look up the podcast "Our Fake History" that covers more of the known details behind Lee Shelton and William Lyons, as well as how the legend grew from the shooting and subsequent trial.
BTW, my understanding about the graves is not they were originally unmarked, just that the markers were not maintained, and were eventually lost.
Thanks for watching and for the information. I found the podcast and I'll listen later
Cool informative vid
Don’t forget the Grateful Dead’s version
My favorite version is by Wilbert Harrison. Why was he not mentioned?
Mind you, there are about 400 versions and covers of songs about Stagger Lee.
Have u heard of john chilembwe
This may help with significance of the hat 👍🏽may help to understand
Admittingly I never heard of him until now. Just looked him up and read about him. Thanks for introducing me to John!
I did not undestood all..unfortunatly !if it was a translate in french..i adore this song..i listen it everyday, version of Hugh Laurie
Nick cave also gives a suprb cover.
Wilbur Harrison's version of Stagger Lee
Thanks for the video. Very interesting. For folks who say they love the song, which version? Here are a few to choose from.
th-cam.com/play/PL702wZp45wmCR-cMfK3o2bN9MSWYNmvgq.html
I dont necessarily see why people feel like this song created gangster rap despite it sounding nothing like rap and since songs about people being shot and killed has existed for a long time, especially in country about 70 years ago. Granted in country a lot of the stories are made up but still
I got 3 little children and a very sickly wife!❤❤❤
Could of been just a staged scene All to Make a song just saying
IS IT STAGGER LEE OR "J.Y.D."???