Merline Johnson

Merline Johnson (born c. 1912, date of death unknown)^[1] was an African-American blues singer in the 1930s and 1940s, billed as "The Yas Yas Girl".^[2] "Yas Yas" was a common euphemism in blues hokum songs for "ass", for example in Blind Boy Fuller's "Get Yer Yas Yas Out" and Tampa Red's "The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas".

Little is known of her life. She is generally thought to have been born in Mississippi,^[2] though blues researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest that she may have been born Merline Baker in Callaway County, Missouri in 1920.^[3] She was the aunt of rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker.^[2] Johnson first recorded in Chicago in 1937. One early song was "Sold It To The Devil". Over the next four years she recorded over 90 songs, including "Don't You Make Me High", "I'd Rather Be Drunk", and "Love with a Feeling". She recorded a few risqué songs.^[4]

Her speciality was a variety of juke joint-based blues, with songs such as "Drinking My Blues Away" and "I Just Keep on Drinking", delivered in her tough and unlovable voice.^[4] She was backed on many of her recordings by top blues and jazz musicians including Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Blind John Davis, Buster Bennett, and Punch Miller.^[2] Many of these have been included on later blues compilations. Her final recordings, not issued at the time, were cut in 1947. Details of her later life are unknown.^[2]

See also

• List of Classic female blues singers

References