Water Baby Blues Explained

"Water Baby Blues"/"Water Baby Boogie" is a Western swing instrumental first recorded in 1946 by Merl Lindsay (4 Star 1117) and which became his signature song. Often recorded as "Water Baby Boogie" it became a popular dance tune.

Doyle Salathiel, Lindsay's brother and jazz guitarist who sometime played with the band,^[1] wrote a set of novelty lyrics for the tune. Called "Singing Water Baby Blues" (Mercury 70119, 1952) it has such lyrics as:

Other renditions

Other artists with recordings of "Water Baby Blues"/"Water Baby Boogie" include:

• Maddox Brothers and Rose, 4 Star 1507 (1950)
• Joe Maphis, Republic 2006
• Billy Jack Wills, 4 Star X-11
• Leon McAuliffe, Cimarron 4047
• Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys
• Eddie Cochran on the album Rockin' It Country Style (released 1997, recorded 1953/54)

Bibliography

• Coffey, Kevin. Merl Lindsay and his Oklahoma Nite Riders (Krazy Kat KKCD 33, 2005) insert.

Notes and References

1. Coffey, Merl Lindsay and his Oklahoma Nite Riders, p. 10: "Among those who joined or rejoined during '49 was Lindsay's brother Doyle, who'd worked on and off with the band for years, invariably leaving because he and Merl just couldn't get along. In the meantime, Doyle Salathiel was building a formidable reputation as a jazz guitarist that included a stint with Lionel Hampton's band."