Listen What I Gotta Say: Women in the Blues
Lesson 7
Non-Conformity in the Blues
6th grade–8th grade
Can a woman sing the blues?
Gladys Bentley, unknown artist. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The question to consider in this lesson is . . .
Non-Conformity in the Blues
30 MIN
15+ MIN
15+ MIN
Gender Expectations and the Blues
Component 1
30 minutes
A Photographic Postcard of Three Unidentified Women Standing in Front of a Studio Backdrop, unknown photographer. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Gender Expectations in the Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, women were expected to act, talk, and behave a certain way.
What are some gender expectations that women may have had in the early 20th century?
As you will learn in this lesson, blueswomen (including Gladys Bentley, pictured here) sometimes pushed back against these expectations.
Generally Speaking .....
Activity: Understanding Gender Expectations
Who prefers pink?
Whitney Alexandrite, by Chip Clark. National Museum of Natural History.
Who prefers blue?
Generally Speaking .....
Pink People and Blue People
Whitney Alexandrite, by Chip Clark. National Museum of Natural History.
All those who selected pink are now called pink people: That is now your identity.
All those who selected blue are now called blue people: That is now your identity.
Generally Speaking .....
Blue People
You can never be a pink person.
If you are a blue person, you must adhere to these rules and expectations ...
You cannot attend school.
You must do all the household chores.
You must have and care for children.
You can only wear the color blue.
You must marry a pink person.
Generally Speaking .....
Pink People
You can never be a blue person.
If you are a pink person, you must adhere to these rules and expectations ...
You will manage the finances and pay the bills.
You will go to school.
You will have children but will not be responsible for their care.
You will maintain a full-time job but won't have to do household chores.
You must marry a blue person.
Generally Speaking .....
Discussion
Do you like your identity? Why or why not?
Do you think the rules are too rigid? Fair? Lax?
Would you have chosen the other identity if you knew the rules in advance?
How do you feel about being told what you can and cannot do with your life?
Gender Expectations in the Early 20th Century
African American women in particular were restricted in what they could do, how they could act, what they could wear, what they could say, and how they could say it.
You just experienced some of many societal gender expectations that were imposed on people during the early 20th century.
Left: Man and Woman in Formal Clothes, by Louis Janousek. Right: A Woman Posing Outdoors, unknown photographer. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Other societal norms for women during this time:
Gender Expectations in the Early 20th Century
Marry young
Be stay-at-home mothers
Receive little education
Bear children
Be homemakers
Be passive and gentle
Discussion
Are there any current gender expectations that encourage you to act in certain ways?
Are there any gender norms that you challenge or choose to abide by?
In what ways have gender norms changed since the early 20th century?
Text
Gender Non-Conformity
What is gender non-conformity?
Gender variance, or gender nonconformity, is behavior or gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine or feminine gender norms.
Blues Women and Gender Norms
Left: Mamie Smith, unknown photographer. PD-old-70, via Wikimedia Commons; Middle: Ma Rainey and the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, by Gilles Petard. PD-expired, via Wikimedia Commons. Right: Memphis Minnie, unknown photographer. National Museum of American History.
Interestingly, many well-known blues women did not conform to the gender norms of the early 20th century.
Very often, blues women did not have children and did not marry. Few lived a domestic life and many were businesswomen in their own right.
Listening Activity
In this activity, we will highlight the music of three women blues musicians who did not conform to gender norms (gender non-conformity) during their day:
These women challenged gender norms through their lyrics, attire, performance style, and life journey.
Mamie Smith
Ma Rainey
Memphis Minnie
Mother of the Blues
"Ma" Rainey (September 1882 or April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) was essential in transitioning the “blues singer” from being a local figure to a professional, nationally known singer and recording artist. Nicknamed the "Mother of the Blues,” Rainey challenged gender norms through her dress, vocal quality, and lyrical content.
"Prove It on Me Blues"
Listen
Listen to "Prove It on Me Blues".
Focus
Listen
Focus and Try
While listening again, pay close attention to the lyrics. How do they challenge gender norms?
Listen again, and this time pay close attention to the instrumentation and the relationship between the vocalist and the instruments.
Focus on performance aspects like vocal timbre and delivery, and the bending of notes. Optional: Try to sing along, incorporating these stylistic characteristics.
Went out last night, Had a great big fight;
Everything seemed to go on wrong;
I looked up, to my surprise the gal I was with was gone.
Where she went, I don't know
I mean to follow everywhere she goes;
Folks say I'm crooked. I didn't know where she took it;
I want the whole world to know;
They say I do it, ain’t nobody caught me;
Sure got to prove it on me;
Went out last night with a crowd of my friends;
They must've been women, 'cause I don't like no men.
It's true I wear a collar and a tie, makes the wind blow all the while;
Don't you say I do it, ain't nobody caught me;
You sure got to prove it on me.
Say I do it, ain't nobody caught me; Sure got to prove it on me.
Went out last night with a crowd of my friends;
It must've been women, 'cause I don't like no men;
Wear my clothes just like a fan; Talk to the gals just like any old man;
Cause they say I do it, ain't nobody caught me;
Sure got to prove it on me.
Lyrics of "Prove It on Me Blues" by Ma Rainey
Queen of the Country Blues
- Born Lizzie Douglas (June 3, 1897 – August 6, 1973), Memphis Minnie was a blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.
- Born in Algiers, Louisiana, she learned to play the guitar by the age of 11.
- By age 13, she ran away and began performing on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
- She is believed to be one of the earliest electric blues musicians—if not the first.
"Hold Me Blues"
Listen
Listen to "Hold Me Blues".
Focus
Listen
Focus and Try
Listen again, and this time pay close attention to the instrumentation and the relationship between the vocalist and the instruments.
Focus on performance aspects vocal timbre and delivery, and the bending of notes. Optional: Try to sing along, incorporating these stylistic characteristics.
While listening again, pay close attention to the lyrics. How do they challenge gender norms?
Lyrics of "Hold Me Blues" by Memphis Minnie
If he holds me in his arms, whisper darling, oh what a thrill;
If he holds me in his arms, whisper darling, oh what a thrill;
'cause I live the life I love and I love the life I live.
Well, he served two years in the Army ... across the sea;
But he would knock me cold when he would write to me.
'Cause he holds me, whispers darling, oh what a thrill;
'cause I live the life I love and I sure love the life I live.
Now he give me a big fine car, a nice roll in the bank;
That will please me awhile, til I sat down and think.
Well, the judge said "Minnie - what make you mistreat your man?"
Judge - you know you ain't no woman, and you sure can't understand.
'Cause he holds me, whispers darling, oh what a thrill;
'cause I live the life I love and I love the life I live.
How does this music challenge gender norms?
Queen of the Blues
Smith is most notoriously known for being the first African American artist to make a vocal blues recording: "Crazy Blues”—launching the nation-wide popularity of the blues to both Black and white audiences.
Mamie Smith (May 26, 1891 – September 16, 1946) began her career as a vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist and actress.
"Crazy Blues"
Listen
Listen to "Crazy Blues".
Focus
Listen
Focus and Try
Listen again, and this time pay close attention to the instrumentation and the relationship between the vocalist and the instruments.
Focus on performance aspects vocal timbre and delivery, and the bending of notes. Optional: Try to sing along, incorporating these stylistic characteristics.
While listening again, pay close attention to the lyrics. How do they challenge gender norms?
I can't sleep at night;
I can't eat a bite;
'cause the man I love
he don't treat me right.
He makes me feel so blue,
I don't know what to do.
Sometime I sit and sigh
and then begin to cry;
'cause my best friend
said his last goodbye.
There's a change in the ocean,
change in the deep blue sea, my baby.
I'll tell you folks, there ain't no
change in me.
My love for that man will always be;
Now I can read his letters;
I sure can't read his mind.
I thought he's lovin' me;
He's leavin' all the time;
Now I see my poor love was blind;
Now I got the crazy blues.
Since my baby went away;
I ain't got no time to lose;
I must find him today.
Now the doctor's gonna do all that
he can,
but what you're gonna need is an undertaker man.
I ain't had nothin' but bad news;
Now I got the crazy blues.
Lyrics of "Crazy Blues" by Mamie Smith
How does this music challenge gender norms?
Learning Checkpoint
-
What are gender expectations?
-
How did blues women such as Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, and Mamie Smith press the boundaries of gender norms in the early part of the 20th century?
End of Component 1: Where will you go next?
A Blues Woman Who Refused to Conform!
Component 2
15+ minutes
Gladys Bentley, unknown artist. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Generally Speaking .....
What do you notice about this photo?
Gladys Bentley
Gladys Bentley (August 12, 1907 – January 18, 1960) was well-known for her deep voice and skillful piano playing.
In this component, we will explore how this important blues woman challenged societal gender norms in the early 20th century, through her music and lifestyle.
"Worried Blues," by Gladys Bentley
The Harlem Renaissance
Gladys Bentley was a popular performer during the Harlem Renaissance—a unique creative period in American history in the 1920s and 1930s, during which, African American music, literature, and art flourished in an area of New York City (Harlem).
Street Life, Harlem, by William H. Johnson. Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Listening for Lyrical Meaning: "Worried Blues"
What makes you men for treat us women like you do? (2x)
I don't want no man that I got to give my money to.
How do these lyrics challenge traditional gender norms?
Don't be a letter, never nothing but a note (2x)
Wrote back and told him "Man I ain't a billy goat".
Give my man everything from a diamond ring or dough (2x)
Next thing I'm gonna give him, six feet in the cold cold ground.
You can never tell, what a old old man can do.
Hard to tell, what a old old man can do.
Keep your eyes open girls, 'cause he'll put that thing on you.
Ain't no hard mop for you than the good Lord ever done.
Didn't mop for you than the good Lord ever done.
Put clothes on your back, you know darn well you wasn't born with none.
Mighty hard for you women to keep a real good man nowadays. (2x)
Ain't little chippy gal got so many doggone different ways.
'Cause you ain't even got up papa, ain't no signal that you can be had. (2x)
If I put this thing on you baby, gonna be just too doggone bad.
Listening for Musical Characteristics
Listen to more short excerpts from Gladys Bentley's "Worried Blues."
Think about a different question each time:
Can you imagine any other instruments accompanying her?
What instrument does she imitate?
What do you find unique about her singing style?
What instruments do you hear?
Text
Scat Singing
What is scat singing?
Scat singing is a form of vocal improvisation using nonsense syllables.
What is scat singing?
What is scat singing?
Often in scat singing, the singer uses their voice to imitate instruments while improvising melodies and rhythms.
Listening for Scat Singing in "Worried Blues"
Listen again to Gladys Bentley's unique style of scat singing.
How does she make her voice sound like a trumpet?
What types of syllables does she use?
What do you notice about the relationship between scatting and other instruments?
Learning Checkpoint
-
In what ways did Gladys Bentley refuse to conform to traditional gender expectations in the early 20th century?
-
What is scat singing?
End of Component 2: Where will you go next?
Non-Conformity in the Contemporary Music Scene
Component 3
15+ minutes
Jake Blount, by Tadin Brown. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Generally Speaking .....
Musicians Who Challenge Gender Norms
Today, there are many musicians who openly contest identity constructs around gender.
David Bowie, by Mick Haggerty. National Portrait Gallery.
Janelle Monáe, by Douglas Remley. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Jake Blount
An example of a contemporary musician who doesn't feel pressure to conform to gender constructs is Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Jake Blount.
On his 2022 album, The New Faith, Jake reimagines songs and sounds heard in traditional African and African American ceremonies using modern techniques.
Jake Blount: "Didn't It Rain"
Watch the official music video for Jake Blount's song, "Didn't It Rain."
How does Jake challenge traditional gender norms in this performance?
Jake Blount and the Blues Influence
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: America's Greatest Gospel Singing and Guitar Playing Star, by Jazzshows Limited. National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Jake Blount's album, The New Faith, features new renditions of traditional Black folk songs that have been handed down from one generation to the next.
Jake's interpretation of "Didn't It Rain" was inspired by the version made famous by groundbreaking gospel singer and gospel blues musician, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Creative Connections (Optional)
Select any musician who you believe challenges prescribed gender structures today.
Research the artist to learn more about their background and influences.
Examine the lyrics of one of their songs, the music itself, the artist’s performance style.
Create a short slideshow presentation or paper on your findings and present your work to the class.
How does this artist use their music to challenge gender expectations?
Generally Speaking .....
Possible Artists
-
Christina Aguilera
-
David Bowie
-
Pink
-
Demi Lovato
-
Annie Lennox
-
Willow Smith
-
Lady Gaga
-
Jillette Johnson
-
Boy George
-
Grace Jones
-
Jaden Smith
-
Little Richard
-
Peaches
-
Prince
-
Janelle Monae
-
Freddie Mercury
Learning Checkpoint
- In what ways do contemporary musicians challenge traditional gender expectations through their music and performances (cite examples)?
End of Component 3: Where will you go next?
Lesson 7 Media Credits
Audio courtesy of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Columbia Records
Video courtesy of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Images courtesy of
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
National Portrait Gallery
National Museum of American History
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of African American History and Culture
© 2023 Smithsonian Institution. Personal, educational, and non-commercial uses allowed; commercial rights reserved. See Smithsonian terms of use for more information.
This Pathway was funded in part by the Smithsonian Youth Access Grants program and received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. It also received in-kind, collaborative support from the Society for Ethnomusicology and the National Association for Music Education.
For full bibliography and media credits, see Lesson 7 landing page.