Victoria Spivey biography

Born: October 15, 1906, Houston, Texas

Died: October 3, 1976, New York, New York

The Career of Victoria Spivey lasted much longer than that of most other female blues singers of the 1920s. She was a clever songwriter who unflinchingly addressed diverse topics, and as a vocalist her delivery of the blues was sincere and convincing. Spivey started out as a performer in Houston, and is rumored to have played with Blind Lemon Jefferson. For a time she worked as a songwriter for the St. Louis Music Company, and later was based in New York, where she performed constantly. Spivey was artistically influenced by blues great Ida Cox, and she may have also been influenced by her on a more practical level — both women are reputed to have had formidable business acumen. Spivey took a hiatus from music during the fifties, but managed a comeback in the early sixties, starting her own record company just in time for the mid-sixties blues revival to breathe new life into her career as a performer. She released predominantly classic blues on her record label, and continued to tour until her death in 1976.

Victoria Spivey on Record

Essential listening: “Dope Head Blues,” “Black Snake Blues,” TB Blues,” “Organ Grinder Blues”

Victoria Spivey – “murder in the first degree” lyrics

Well, I’m layin’ here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be
Well, I’m layin’ here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be
I believe they’re gonna hang me, from what my lawyer said to me

My man got runnin’ around with a woman he know I can’t stand
My man got runnin’ around with a woman he know I can’t stand
There’s one notch on my gun, and the world’s rid of one triflin’ man

I scrubbed them pots and kettles, I washed and ironed them white folks’ clothes
I scrubbed them pots and kettles, I washed and ironed them white folks’ clothes
Any charge that I’m makin’, I killed him, Judge, and that’s all I know

Judge, if you had killed your woman, and had to come before me
If you’da killed a woman who trifled and had to come before me
I’d send her to the gallows, and, Judge, would let you go free

I said I ain’t done nothin but killed a man what belonged to me
I said I ain’t done nothin but killed a man what belonged to me
And here they got me charged with murder in the first degree

Victoria Spivey