Topic: Who was Buddy Brown?

[blueshome]

Several blues contain the line:

”Get up in the morning and do like Buddy Brown, eat my breakfast and lie back down”

So who was Buddy Brown?

[dj]

I've spent a lot of time looking, both online and in the home library, over the past few days, and I can't find an answer.  I wonder if it's just a name that fit the meter and rhymed with "down".

[Johnm]

I think he was a guy who was well-known for wanting to eat and lay back down. Seriously, I like your theory, dj.
All best,
John

[blueshome]

Thing is the line appears in songs by Sleepy John,. Kokomo Arnold, Lightnin Hopkins.
Maybe they all derive from the Sleepy John version.

[dj]

Sleepy John Estes' Who's Been Telling You Buddy Brown Blues was recorded in 1935.  The earliest use of the Buddy Brown verse I can find in a quick search is in Texas Alexander's 98 Degree Blues from 1929.  Apparently the verse floated around a bit.

[btasoundsradio]

Perhaps just a made up name to fill verses, but could maybe have some reality somewhere in the past. Sounds like the archetype of the guy that avoided work like many musicians were trying to do.

[blueshome]

It seems strange that it perpetuated through so many versions.
There was a silent movie actor in the late 20’s called Buddy Brown....

[Johnm]

I think musicians just found the idea of eating breakfast and laying back down appealing, Phil, especially after having heard Texas Alexander sing it. He could always sell a lyric, that's for sure.
All best,
Johnm

[blueshome]

It certainly appeals to me!

[jostber]

The Lightnin' Hopkins version.