The Big Apple Songs: Happy Woman Blues

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Wow, did I really torture myself like that? For THAT??? I had a 10 AM appointment for my shoe inserts. Since I had them made last year, the prescription is still good, so all I had to do was pick the type (firm) and I was out the door. So now I’m having lunch and ready to tap my feet to another song mentioning New York City. Here’s today’s song. Happy Woman Blues - Lucinda Williams If you remember (or have watched) Bill Clinton’s second presidential inauguration, you may remember/have seen poet Miller Williams reading Of History and Hope, which he wrote for the inauguration. Why do I bring that up? Miller Williams was Lucinda Williams’ father. There’s your trivia for the day. As for this song, it’s something you probably didn’t expect to hear on a list of songs referencing the Big Apple: country music. Lucinda Williams had a series of successes in the late 90s, highlighted by the album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (highly recommended album). This song’s album (also highly recommended) predates that one by eighteen years, which shows you just how long it takes to be an “overnight sensation.” Both albums share a song: “I Lost It.” I much prefer the Happy Woman Blues version, but you know how I am when it comes to country music. I hope Williams’ health (she suffered a pretty serious stroke in 2020) enables her to keep entertaining us for years to come. Happy Woman Blues Written by Lucinda Williams Recorded by Lucinda Williams From Happy Woman Blues, 1980 NYC LYRICS: Goin’ down south with the New York City Blues