"Take a Whiff on Me" ( Roud 10062) is an American folk song, with references to the use of

cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly recreational drug use, used recreationally for its euphoria, euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from t ...

. It is also known as "Take a Whiff (on Me)", "Cocaine Habit", and "Cocaine Habit Blues".

History

This song was collected by

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

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 The Memphis Jug Band was an American band (music), musical group active from the mid-1920s to the late-1950s. The band featured harmonica, kazoo, fiddle and mandolin or banjolin, backed by guitar, piano, washboard (musical instrument), washboard, w ...

titled "Cocaine Habit Blues."

Recordings

''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'' (recorded 1964, released 1998) *

The Byrds The Byrds () were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole cons ...

'' (Untitled)'' (1970), ''

There Is a Season ''There Is a Season'' is a four- CD and one DVD box set by the American rock band the Byrds that was released on September 26, 2006 by Columbia/Legacy. It comprises 99 tracks and includes material from every one of the band's twelve studio albums, ...

'' (2006), and ''

Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971 ''Live at Royal Albert Hall '' is a live album by the American rock band the Byrds, released in 2008 on Sundazed Records. The album consists of recordings from the band's appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England on May 13, 1971. ...

'' (2008) *

Mungo Jerry Mungo Jerry are a British rock band, formed by Ray Dorset in Ashford, Middlesex in 1970. Experiencing their greatest success in the early 1970s, with a changing lineup always fronted by Ray Dorset, the group's biggest hit was "In the Summertime ...

(as “Have a Whiff on Me”, 1971 single) *

The Flying Burrito Brothers The Flying Burrito Brothers are an American country rock band, best known for their influential 1969 debut album, ''The Gilded Palace of Sin''. Although the group is perhaps best known for its connection to band founders Gram Parsons and Chris ...

''The Red Album'' (recorded c. 1975, released 2002) *

Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, also known as Soapbox Circus or Matchbox, were an Australian jug band formed in 1969. It centred on Mic Conway ("Captain Matchbox") on lead vocals, washboard and ukulele; and his brother, Jim Conway, on harmon ...

(1975 Album, "Australia") * Mission Mountain Wood Band ''In Without Knocking'' (1977) *

Lonnie Donegan Anthony James Donegan (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002), known as Lonnie Donegan, was a British skiffle singer, songwriter and musician, referred to as the "King of Skiffle", who influenced 1960s British pop and rock musicians. Born in Scotl ...

's "Have a Drink on Me" on ''Puttin' On the Style'' (1978) is a sanitized version of the song. *

Woody Guthrie Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (; July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer-songwriter, one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American socialism and anti-fascism. He has inspired ...

''Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings'', Smithsonian Folkways Recordings SFW 40101 (1997) *

The White Stripes The White Stripes were an American rock duo from Detroit formed in 1997. The group consisted of Jack White (songwriter, vocals, guitar, piano, and mandolin) and Meg White (drums and vocals). After releasing several singles and three albums with ...

Under Blackpool Lights ''Under Blackpool Lights'' is the first official DVD released by The White Stripes. The DVD consists of 26 tracks recorded at The Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Winter Gardens in the English seaside resort of Blackpool, Engla ...

'' (2004) *

Old Crow Medicine Show Old Crow Medicine Show is an Americana string band based in Nashville, Tennessee, that has been recording since 1998. They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on September 17, 2013. Their ninth album, '' Remedy'', released in 2014, won the Gr ...

: Two versions: As "Tell It to Me" on ''

'' (2004) and with substantially reworked lyrics as "Cocaine Habit" on '' Big Iron World'' (2006)

Print versions

* American Ballads and Folk Songs,

John Lomax John Avery Lomax (September 23, 1867 – January 26, 1948) was an American teacher, a pioneering musicologist, and a folklorist who did much for the preservation of American folk music. He was the father of Alan Lomax, John Lomax Jr. and Bess Lo ...

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