Story Behind The Song

Written and performed by Al Hovden and Dave Jenneson in the band the Burner Boys in 1970.

Song Description

A bluegrass funky jug/rock song in celebration of the old time one-night country dance party.

Lyrics

Old Fashioned Blues

Don't try to hide it
If you really like it
It will get you every time
No matter where you try and hide
Now it's a little bit like country
And a little bit like jazz
You know I used to think I had a good thing going
Until I saw no one was pulling off the old pizzazz
Of a genuine jug band
Old fashioned
Old fashioned
Old fashioned blues

It was 1930
And the hall was kind of dirty
Not having been cleaned
From the night before
I got a ride in with Bill Evans
We never made it till eleven
You could see them sweating, you could hear them shout
The kazoo was screaming as the crowd rocked in the razz
Of a genuine jug band
Old fashioned
Old fashioned
Old fashioned blues

Bridge

Don't try to hide it
If you really like it
It'll get you everytime
Old fashioned blues

I've got lead in my belly
And a pistol in my hand
Join the hue and cry now
God bless the one night stand!
Now if there's something wrong inside you
And you feel you've got to hide
Why don't you take advantage of a sure fire deal?
Come inside and feel the sin and smoke and jazz?
Of a genuine jug band
Old fashioned
Old fashioned
Old fashioned blues

C 2014
Al Hovden/Dave Jenneson