OK, here’s my train of thought: I was listening to the Rev. Gary Davis singin’ “Hesitation Blues.” Then listened to Jorma Kaukonen’s version of the same song. Finally, got to Janis Joplin’s version.
She sings:
“Well, a nickel is a nickel, a dime is a dime,
need a new man, Lord I know I won’t mind.
Tell me how long, dear, do I have to wait?
Can I get you now, dear, must I hesitate?”
That started me ruminating, contemplating, meditating & the like — thinking: “I’d like to write something about Janis.” Googled her name. Come to find out that tomorrow (Oct. 4) is the anniversary of her untimely death. So I thought, “Too bad she died so soon — too soon.”
Next thing I know, I’m writing:
“Dollar is a Dollar,
Dime is a Dime;
One thing she ain’t got?
She ain’t got Time.”
About an hour or so later, I had (essentially) a “blues song” without the music. (Though in my head, I heard the notes fairly well.)
Hope that helps . . . jsl
PS: It may make more sense if you listen to the three versions of “Hesitation Blues”— in the order I’ve posted them. (Or, it may make no sense at all.)
