"Take a Whiff on Me" (Roud 10062) is an American folk song, with references to the use of cocaine.[1] It is also known as "Take a Whiff (on Me)", "Cocaine Habit", and "Cocaine Habit Blues".[2]

History edit

This song was collected by John and Alan Lomax from Iron Head and Lead Belly, as well as other sources.[3]

The first recording appears to be the 1930 recording by Memphis Jug Band titled "Cocaine Habit Blues."[4]

Recordings edit

Print versions edit

  • American Ballads and Folk Songs, John Lomax and Alan Lomax, 1934 as "Honey, Take a Whiff on Me"
  • Mission Mountain Wood Band, "Take a Whiff on Me", 1970

References edit

  1. ^ Aaron Parrett (25 July 2016). Montana Americana Music: Boot Stomping in Big Sky Country. Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. pp. 64–. ISBN 978-1-62585-785-9.
  2. ^ Rupert Till (2 December 2010). Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music. A&C Black. pp. 39–. ISBN 978-0-8264-4592-6. Cocaine use was common among black labourers in the Mississippi delta where blues first emerged, and was sold in various ... 'Cocaine Habit Blues (Take a Whiff on Me)', also known as 'Tell it to Me', is usually associated with Leadbelly, ...
  3. ^ Diane Holloway (2001). American History in Song: Lyrics from 1900 to 1945. Authors Choice Press. pp. 329–. ISBN 978-0-595-19331-8. Porter wasn't the only composer writing about cocaine in 1934. Huddie Ledbetter wrote a drug song called Take a Whiff On Me. "I'se got a nickel, you'se got a dime. You buy the coke and I'll buy the wine. Cocaine's for horses and not for men.
  4. ^ a b "That Cocaine Has Got All Around My Brain: 5 Classic Cocaine Blues Tunes". Alternet.org. 2015-09-20. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  5. ^ "Grateful Dead Lyric And Song Finder". www.whitegum.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.