We continue our survey of the various genres of popular music with "swamp rock", a fusion of rockabilly with soul music, "swamp blues", country music, and funk.
Dale Hawkins is often credited with being one of the architects of swamp rock. He wrote and recorded "Suzie Q" (later recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival), generally considered the first swamp rock record. He recorded for Chess Records out of Chicago, the label for which many of the original Chicago bluesmen (Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter Jacobs, Willie Dixon etc.) recorded. "Tornado" was on his 1958 debut album, Oh! Suzy-Q.
Just like a tornado, running around my heart
Hope we dome together baby
So, love can really start
First time that I saw you hon’
Caused quite a storm
‘Cause my heart just up and left me for your
Whirlin’ beauty and charm
I have been lookin’ around
I know that I couldn’t have missed her
When she walked into my life
It was like a full-fledged twister
Just like a tornado, running around my heart
Hope we dome together baby
So, love can really start
Just like a tornado, running around my heart
Hope we dome together baby
So, love can really start
First time that I saw you hon’
Caused quite a storm
‘Cause my heart just up and left me for your
Whirlin’ beauty and charm
Warnings are all up, waiting for your say-so
Then I’ll make you mine
You pretty little tornado
Whirlin’, whirlin’ whirlin
Whirlin’, whirlin’ whirlin
Whirlin’, whirlin’ whirlin
Source: Flashlyrics
And that’s Song Lyric Sunday (and Song of the Day) for February 26, 2023.
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
I never heard this song before but it had the rockabilly edge.
LikeLike
This is a new one for me, too, John. I do like the sound!
LikeLike
The sound is distinctive, that’s for certain.
LikeLike
You really can pick ‘‘em John. This song is quite different than Suzie Q!
LikeLike
It is, which is what I wanted. I figured someone was going to pick “Suzie Q,” so I’d pick something else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, new to me & I like it! Thanks for expanding my musical horizons.
LikeLike
Of course! I had known about his brother Ronnie, but Dale was new to me, and I like the way he plays. Supposedly, James Burton (who played the great guitar solo in Rick Nelson’s “Hello, Mary Lou”) is on some of his songs, but I don’t think this was one of them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A new genre to me and a cool song.
LikeLike
Creedence Clearwater Revival is considered swamp rock as well, but not exclusively.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that but is makes sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty cool song John, thanks for sharing this.
LikeLike
Glad you like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never heard of this genre, but a good choice
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great choice John and new to me 🙂💜
LikeLike
New to me, too… I had heard of Ronnie Hawkins, Dale’s cousin, but not him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well then it’s a great find 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person