Today, Louisville is known for its eclectic music scene-- you don't have to look far for live music any night of the week (don't believe me? Check out the Louisville.com calendar of events and music section.) But let's rewind a few decades and see some songs that are based on our lovely city, and often, its equally lovely ladies.
Louisville Lou (That Vampin' Lady) [4]
- Written in 1923 by
American composer
Milton Ager [5]
with lyrics by
Jack Yellen [6]
.
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The song tells in lighthearted fashion the tale of the "scandalous vamp" Louisville Lou, “the most heart-breakin’est, shimmy shakin’est that the world ever knew.”
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First lines: “History is full of love-makin' champs / But if you want a brand new thrill, come and meet the vamp of Louisville”
Louisville Blues
- Performed by Handy's Orchestra in 1923
- First lines: “Louisville, Louisville, there's where the jazz tunes are born.”
- Composed by Ted Snyder
- Vocalist: Bert Asher
- First lines: "You all know my old beau."
When You're Down in Louisville (Call on Me) [9]
- Composed by Irving Berlin in 1916
- Vocal group: Collins and Harlan
- First lines: "Goodbye everybody/ I'm on my way to Louisville/ I feel oh-so happy/ I hardly can keep still."
Cover photo courtesy of Shutterstock
All other photos courtesy of Wiki-commons