"Take a Whiff on Me" ( Roud 10062) is an American folk song, with references to the use of cocaine. It is also known as "Take a Whiff (on Me)", "Cocaine Habit", and "Cocaine Habit Blues".

History

This song was collected by John and

Alan Lomax Alan Lomax (; January 31, 1915 – July 19, 2002) was an American ethnomusicologist, best known for his numerous field recordings of folk music of the 20th century. He was also a musician himself, as well as a folklorist, archivist, writer, sch ...

from Iron Head and

Lead Belly Huddie William Ledbetter (; January 20, 1888 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk music, folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, Virtuoso, virtuosity on the twelve-string guita ...

, as well as other sources. The first recording appears to be the 1930 recording by Memphis Jug Band titled "Cocaine Habit Blues."

Recordings

* Memphis Jug Band ''The Best of the Memphis Jug Band'' (titled Cocaine Habit Blues) 1930 *

''Leadbelly ARC and Library of Congress Recordings Vol. 1'' (1934–1935) *

The Greenbriar Boys The Greenbriar Boys were an American northern bluegrass music group. who first got together in jam sessions in New York's Washington Square Park. Biography In 1958, guitarist and vocalist John Herald formed The Greenbriar Boys, along with Bob ...

''Ragged But Right!'' (1964) *

Jerry Garcia Jerome John Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) was an American musician best known for being the principal songwriter, lead guitarist, and a vocalist with the rock band Grateful Dead, which he co-founded and which came to prominence ...

(with Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions) ''

Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, world music, an ...

'' (recorded 1964, released 1998) * The Byrds '' (Untitled)'' (1970), '' There Is a Season'' (2006), and '' Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971'' (2008) * Mungo Jerry (as “Have a Whiff on Me”, 1971 single) * The Flying Burrito Brothers ''The Red Album'' (recorded c. 1975, released 2002) * Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band (1975 Album, "Australia") *

Mission Mountain Wood Band The ''Mission Mountain Wood Band'', abbreviated M2WB, is an American bluegrass and country rock band formed in Missoula, Montana, US in 1971. They were noted for their vocal harmonies, multi-instrumental talent, and charismatic stage presence, ...

''In Without Knocking'' (1977) * Lonnie Donegan's "Have a Drink on Me" on ''Puttin' On the Style'' (1978) is a sanitized version of the song. * Woody Guthrie ''Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings'', Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW 40101 (1997) * The White Stripes '' Under Blackpool Lights'' (2004) * Old Crow Medicine Show: Two versions: As "Tell It to Me" on '' Old Crow Medicine Show'' (2004) and with substantially reworked lyrics as "Cocaine Habit" on ''

Big Iron World ''Big Iron World'' is the second studio album by folk/country/ old timey band Old Crow Medicine Show, released on August 29, 2006. The album was produced by David Rawlings who is best known for being Gillian Welch Gillian Howard Welch (; born O ...

'' (2006)

Print versions

* American Ballads and Folk Songs, John Lomax and

, 1934 as "Honey, Take a Whiff on Me" * Mission Mountain Wood Band, "Take a Whiff on Me", 1970

References

Lead Belly songs American folk songs Woody Guthrie songs Old Crow Medicine Show songs Songs about cocaine Mungo Jerry songs Year of song unknown Songwriter unknown {{folk-song-stub