Double Crossing Blues Explained

"Double Crossing Blues" is a 1950 song by Johnny Otis Quintette, the Robins, and Little Esther. It was released as a 78-rpm single (731-A) by Savoy Records in 1950.[1] The single went to number one on the US Billboard R&B chart.[2]

Song background

"Double Crossing Blues" was the debut single for Little Esther, who was then fourteen years old, making her the youngest female singer to have a number-one single on the R&B chart.[3] The original Savoy record label showed Otis as the writer, but the actual composer, Jessie Mae Robinson, sued, won an out-of-court settlement in March 1950, and copyrighted the song under her name.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Johnny Otis Quintette With The Robins And Little Esther / The Beale St. Gang – Double Crossing Blues / Back Alley Blues (1950, Vinyl). 3 May 2021. Discogs.com.
  2. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 445.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 459.
  4. Web site: Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - LITTLE ESTHER. Uncamarvy.com. 2018-12-21.