"Death Letter", also noted as "Death Letter Blues", is the signature song of influential blues musician Son House. It is structured upon House's earlier recording "My Black Mama, part 2" from 1930. House performed the song on a metal-bodied National resonator guitar using a copper slide. The blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on a pentatonic scale and a characteristic twelve-bar chord progression. ... Son House, circa 1965 Eddie James House, Jr. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... A Dobro style resonator guitar Dobro® is a trade name used mainly for guitars. ... Duane Allmans slide guitar is highly regarded in blues and rock circles. ...

Lyrically, the song is about a man who learns of the death of the woman he loves through a letter delivered to him early in the morning. The narrator later views her body at the morgue, attends her funeral, and returns to his home in a state of depression. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Mortuary. ... Look up depression in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

House's lyrics draw from traditional sources. Other blues musicians recorded related songs, including Leadbelly ("Death Letter Blues"), Ishman Bracey ("Trouble Hearted Blues"), Ida Cox ("Death Letter Blues") and Blind Willie McTell ("On The Cooling Board"). Leadbelly, circa 1942; shown with an accordion, though he typically played twelve string guitar Leadbelly (born Huddie William Ledbetter; January 21, 1885 – December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook... Ishman Bracey (Jan. ... Ida Cox (25 February 1896 - 10 November 1967) was a popular African American singer, best known for her Blues performances and recordings. ... Blind Willie McTell Blind Willie McTell (May 5, 1901–August 15, 1959) (probably born William Samuel McTear) was an influential blues singer and guitarist. ...

"Death Letter" is Son House's most famous song, and was the centerpiece of his live performances during the blues revival of the 1960s. House often altered the tempo and lyrics for different performances of "Death Letter", occasionally playing the song more than once during the same concert. Some renditions exceeded fifteen minutes in length. The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ...

Legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson was heavily influenced by Son House. Johnson incorporated and reworked "My Black Mama"/"Death Letter" into his own song, "Walking Blues". Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) is among the most famous Delta Blues musicians and arguably the most influential. ...

"Death Letter" has been recorded by several popular musicians, including John Mellencamp, Chris Thomas King, David Johansen, and The White Stripes. It was also featured in the 2005 horror/suspense film The Skeleton Key, as performed by Johnny Farmer. The song has also been recorded by Diamanda Galas, Cassandra Wilson, and Geoff Muldaur. John Mellencamp, Circa 1996. ... Chris Thomas King is an American Actor and blues guitar player. ... David Johansen on the cover of his 1987 eponymous debut as Buster Poindexter David Johansen (born January 9, 1950, Staten Island, NY) is an American rock, punk, blues and pop singer, songwriter and actor. ... The White Stripes is a minimalist blues-rock duo from Detroit, composed of Jack White on guitar and lead vocals, and Meg White on drums. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Promotional poster for The Skeleton Key The Skeleton Key is a 2005 British horror-suspense film released in the UK on 22 July and in the USA on August 12. ...

See also

• Clarksdale Moan

Clarksdale Moan and its B-side Mississippi Country Farm Blues are two songs by legendary blues musician Son House. ...

External links

• Video clip of Son House performing "Death Letter Blues" ca. 1965
• Lyrics to Ida Cox's "Death Letter Blues"