Blues: Percy Mayfield

Percy Mayfield made some important contributions to modern music, and is sometimes referred to as “Poet of the Blues.” Three songs that made lasting impressions are “Life is Suicide,” “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” and “Hit the Road Jack.”

When listening to these early songs of Mayfield, notice how he is moving away from the traditional Blues form. Mayfield is a significant early crossover artist towards Rhythm & Blues and Jazz.

Listen to his “Life is Suicide.” Something to listen to is the brass instruments playing a counter-melody to the vocalist’s main melody. Also note the lyrics that do not follow the traditional AAB-form, but is definitely blues in theme and tone.


The original “Please Send Me Someone to Love” can be listened to here. Listen to Sade’s version below in the YouTube-video. What you’ll notice is that the song has a strong Rhythm & Blues, or Soul feel to it. Although Percy Mayfield is known as the “Poet of the Blues,” his songs are often categorized under Rhythm & Blues.



Likely the most recognizable song by Percy Mayfield is “Hit the Road Jack.” Listen to it below, as performed by Ray Charles and his backing vocalists. A prominent feature of this song is the base contour (left hand on the piano) – a continual loop (i.e. repetition) of four notes in descending steps, giving the main four-beat pattern of this song. Also note the syncopated beat in-between these four main beats.