Fran Hanover Artist

Using chalk to block out the image

Bee On Top

Bee On Top

2024

24 x 36

Oil on Canvas

Spotify Link Honey Dripper Blues – Hattie North Roosevelt Sykes

YouTube Link

 I wake up every morning, with the rising sun

I wake up every morning, right with the rising sun

I’m thinking ‘bout my honey dripper

And all the wrong he’s done

Aw, he treats me mean

Only comes to see me sometimes

Aw, he treats me mean

Only comes to see me sometimes

But the way he spreads his honey

Makes me think I’ll lose my mind

Oh ‘cause I’m down

That good man wants to drive me away

Oh ‘cause I’m down

Lord he wants to drive me away

But he’s a good honey dripper

Lord I want him every day

Oh the man I love

Lord how he made me fuss

Oh the man I love

Oh Lordy he really made me fuss

Oh the way he drips his honey

You know he won my heart that’s all

Oh sometimes I feel so lonely

I don’t know where to go

Oh sometimes I’m so lonesome

Really don’t know where to go

And when my love comes down

I’ll need you more than you’ll ever know

‘Cause he’s a real sweet man

I wanna be with him for ninety-nine years

Cause he’s a real sweet man

I wanna sign him up for ninety-nine years

That’s what it takes to ease my mind

And stop all my tears

Hattie North, born Hattie Hart on April 5, 1907, in New York City, was a pioneering American blues singer and songwriter known for her distinctive voice and emotive performances. She began her musical career in the vibrant Harlem jazz and blues scene of the 1920s and 1930s, performing in clubs and recording with prominent jazz musicians of the time.

North's music often reflected the struggles and triumphs of her own life, blending traditional blues with elements of jazz and gospel. She gained recognition for her powerful vocal delivery and the authenticity of her songwriting. Despite facing numerous challenges in a male-dominated industry, she remained a respected and influential figure in the blues community.

Hattie North's contributions to the genre helped pave the way for future female blues artists, and her work continues to be celebrated for its impact on the development of blues music. She passed away on July 16, 1984, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of blues.

 
 
 
Song by Memphis Minnie
I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but meI got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me
And I tell the world, he got all the stinger I needAnd he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seeAnd he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seeAnd when he makes it, oh how he make me scream
He get to flyin' and buzzin', stingin' everybody he meetHe get to flyin' and buzzin', stingin' everybody he meetLord I wonder why, my bumble bee want to mistreat meWhere my bumble bee gone?Wonder where's my bumble bee gone?
I been lookin' for him, my bumble bee so long so longMy bumble bee got ways, just like a natural manMy bumble bee got ways, just like a natural manHe's stingin' somebody, everywhere he land

Memphis Minnie, born Lizzie Douglas on June 3, 1897, in Algiers, Louisiana, was a pioneering American blues singer and guitarist. Known for her powerful voice and virtuosic guitar skills, she played a crucial role in shaping the blues genre. Moving to Memphis, Tennessee, in the early 1920s, she began performing in local clubs and recording her music. Her vibrant career spanned several decades, during which she released numerous influential recordings, including hits like “Bumble Bee Blues” and “When the Levee Breaks,” the latter later popularized by Led Zeppelin.

Minnie’s music blended traditional blues with innovative guitar techniques, and she was one of the first female blues artists to gain significant recognition. Despite facing challenges in a male-dominated industry, her talent and determination earned her a lasting legacy in the blues world. She passed away on August 6, 1973, but remains celebrated as a trailblazer who helped define and expand the blues genre.