Walkin' Blues

"Walkin' Blues" or "Walking Blues" is a blues standard written and recorded by American Delta blues musician Son House in 1930. Although unissued at the time, it was part of House's repertoire and other musicians, including Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters adapted the song and recorded their own versions.

Besides "Walking Blues", Johnson's 1936 rendition incorporates melodic and rhythmic elements from House's "My Black Mama" (which House also used for his "Death Letter") and slide guitar techniques Johnson learned from House. In 1941, Waters recorded the song with some different lyrics as "Country Blues" for his first field recording session for Alan Lomax. It served as the basis for his first charting song "(I Feel Like) Going Home" for Leonard Chess in 1948. He later recorded "Walkin' Blues" with lyrics closer to House's and Johnson's for his first single released on Chess Records in 1950. A variety of musicians recorded the song over the years, usually an electric ensemble piece.