Richard BodinWho is Robert Johnson?
A fundamental question. And the answer is just as important. Robert Johnson is simply the King of Delta Blues Singers. According to legend, young Robert was rather bad at the guitar and was even mocked for it. Then he disappeared, only to reappear a year later, playing his six-string like a god. It is said that he met the devil at the crossroads of Highway 61 and Highway 49 and sold his soul in exchange for mastering his instrument… From then on, he was acclaimed everywhere. A producer discovered him and had him record several tracks in a hotel room, all in a single session. Just a few takes per song, and that was it. The only recording of Robert Johnson was in the can. Among these tracks: Love In Vain Blues.
This song is yet another heartbreaking story, like many blues songs. It tells the story of a man following the love of his life to the train station and watching her leave. Nothing extremely original, you might say—it’s a rather common theme. Yes, but it’s not played by just anyone. In his songs, Robert Johnson often puts himself in the foreground. When someone leaves, it’s him. Or when the woman leaves, there is betrayal—he is angry but not broken. This was the misogyny of the time: the bluesman with no attachments, a rock star before his time, a woman in every port… Just him and his music, with no concern for women or their feelings.
But here, for once, he is broken, he is depressed. His love is in vain; his woman leaves, taking with her on that train the soul and blues of the poor man left standing on the platform…
When the train, it left the station with two lights on behind
Well the blue light was my blues, and the red light was my mind
The song is beautiful, unique in the artist’s repertoire. Robert Johnson makes his guitar weep, and his words carry so much emotion that one cannot remain indifferent…
Love In Vain by the Rolling Stones
This is how Keith Richards discovered the song in 1968 on the second bootleg collection of the Delta legend, of whom he is one of the biggest fans. Love In Vain overwhelmed him. He played it for Mick, who immediately agreed—it was decided: the Rolling Stones would cover the song. They rearranged it, added strings, and gave it a more country feel.
“It became a different song—strange, more poignant. Robert Johnson was a magnificent lyricist, but his songs were rather dark,” explains Mick Jagger.
The song was played live for the first time during the Rock’n’Roll Circus concerts. Brian Jones made his last major contribution there with the slide guitar solo. Those who own Let It Bleed may have noticed, however, that the blond angel is not credited for this song. Indeed, with all his drug problems, he was absent from the studios, so he was replaced by Ry Cooder on mandolin, and Keith reinterpreted his slide solo note for note.
The Johnson Myth
Today, Robert Johnson’s name evokes a special fascination among those who know him, yet he remains completely unknown to the general public. And yet, this legendary guitarist has inspired many. Most of the guitar heroes who captivate us today worship him. From Keith Richards to Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page or so many others… All of them have paid tribute in some way—some with a cover, others, like Clapton, with an entire tribute album. Love In Vain is the most famous, but we can also mention Travelling Riverside Blues, covered by Led Zeppelin, or Sweet Home Chicago by the Blues Brothers…
