Talking Blues - Similar Forms and Similar Titles

Similar Forms and Similar Titles

• "Born in Hard Luck" by Christopher Allen Bouchillon is often referred to as a talking blues but follows a different chordal and melodic structure than Bouchillon's original "Talking Blues."
• "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" by Arlo Guthrie, the son of Woody Guthrie, is considered a talking blues by some, though it follows a different melodic structure, one more reminiscent of Chris Bouchillon's "Born in Hard Luck" than his original "Talking Blues." In addition, it features a repeated chorus based on a circle of fifths melody, similar to "Take It Slow and Easy" by Jesse Fuller or "Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden" by Tommy Bradley (1930).
• The Dire Straits song "Walk of Life" refers to "the talkin blues", but is itself not a talking blues in format.
• "Talking Blues" by Bob Marley is a reference to gospel music and, despite the title, is neither a blues nor a talking blues in form.
• California-born, Kansas-based songwriter Adam Gnade plays a self-described style called "talking songs." Some of his songs are in the talking blues form but most are spoken vocals set to longer post-rock-style backings.