[For Beginners] A Collection of Famous and Popular Delta Blues Songs

Delta blues, stirring deep emotions alongside the sound of the guitar.

Born in the Mississippi Delta between the 1920s and 1940s, this music is known as the wellspring of modern blues and rock.

Though it is a simple form expressed only with acoustic guitar and the human voice, it encompasses the joys, sorrows, and struggles of life.

Why not immerse yourself in the world woven by the distinctive resonance of slide guitar and powerful vocals? In this article, we introduce notable songs by representative Delta blues artists.

If you’re new to the genre, this is a perfect chance to check it out.

Playlist

[For Beginners] A Collection of Famous and Popular Delta Blues Songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Cross Road BluesRobert Johnson		The crossroads demon legend, soul-stirring blues
2	Parchman Farm BluesBukka White		Delta blues giant Bukka White
3	Down The Dirt Road BluesCharley Patton		Blues that feels the spirit of Charley Patton
4	Last Kind WordsGeeshie Wiley		Legendary blues singer Geesy's masterful performance
5	Shake ‘Em on DownMississippi Fred McDowell		The Blues of Mississippi Fred McDowell
6	Dust My BroomElmore James		Elmore James, the innovator of electrified Delta blues
7	Boogie ChillenJohn Lee Hooker		John Lee Hooker, a blues legend
8	Spoonful BluesCharley Patton		Blues masterpiece by Charley Patton
9	Death Letter BluesSon House		Delta blues, a soul-stirring voice
10	Rock Me MamaArthur Crudup		The classic by the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll”
11	Key To The HighwayBig Bill Broonzy		Bridging from country blues to the city
12	Baby Please Don’t GoBig Joe Williams		A soul-stirring classic of Delta blues
13	Fixin’ to Die BluesBukka White		Delta blues, a soul-stirring classic
14	You gotta moveMississippi Fred McDowell		The soulful blues of Mississippi Fred McDowell
15	Me and the Devil BluesRobert Johnson		A classic blues song that sold its soul to the devil and sings of loneliness
16	Canned Heat BluesTommy Johnson		The Tragedy of a Legendary Delta Blues Musician
17	Rolling Stone(Catfish Blues)Muddy Waters		Blues soul, a ballad of a drifter
18	Where Did You Sleep Last Night?Lead Belly		Soul-stirring blues that resonates deep within the heart
19	Hard Time Killin’ Floor BluesSkip James		A masterpiece infused with the soul of Delta blues
20	Some Happy DayCharley Patton		A classic by Delta blues legend Patton
21	Queen BeeTAJ MAHAL		A moving blues that likens love and loneliness to honey
22	Life is BeautifulKeb’ Mo’		A masterpiece that brings the soul of Delta blues into the modern era
23	That’s All RightArthur Crudup		Delta blues masterpiece, a major influence on music history
24	She Left Me A Mule To RideBig Joe Williams		Delta blues, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart
25	Black Dog BluesBlind Blake		A soul-stirring masterpiece by Blake, a cry from the heart
26	Aberdeen Mississippi BluesBooker White		Delta Blues, the essence of soul music
27	Earl’s BoogieEARL HOOKER		The essence of the blues as revealed by slide guitar
28	Slow Blues (Angel Of Mercy / Blues in my sleep)James Cotton		The soulful sound of the blues treasure, Cotton
29	Boom boomJohn Lee Hooker		The soul of blues, passionate music
30	Shave ‘Em DryLucille Bogan		Delta blues, singing of women's freedom and agency
31	Goin Down to the RiverMississippi Fred McDowell		A classic of Delta blues, singing of love and conflict
32	The Ballad Of Stagger LeeMississippi John Hurt		Folk songs: deep emotions and songs that resonate with the heart
33	How Long BluesPinetop Perkins		Pinetop Perkins’s classic blues song
34	Sweet Home ChicagoRobert Johnson		A classic of Delta blues that stirs the soul
35	Sweet Home ChicagoRobert Lockwood, Jr.		A classic of Delta Blues, with a soul-stirring sound
36	Catfish BluesRobert Petway		The melancholy of Delta blues and the yearning for freedom
37	Crazy ‘Bout My BabySnooky Pryor		A masterpiece that sings the heart of Delta blues—moving.
38	Big Road BluesTommy Johnson		Delta blues, the voice and resonance of the soul
39	Saturday BluesIshman Bracey		A Delta blues classic, a bittersweet love song
40	Lead Pencil Blues (It Just Won’t Write)Johnnie Temple		An important hidden gem of Delta blues
41	My Baby’s GoneTOMMY McCLENNAN		A Delta blues classic that sings of the pain of a broken heart