Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
(OKeh 8482)
Recorded 5/7/1927 Chicago, Illinois.
Hot Seven (Musical group)
Louis Armstrong (leader)
Louis Armstrong (instrumentalist : cornet)
Walter Melrose (composer)
Marty Bloom (composer)
"Willie the Weeper" is a song about drug addiction. It is based on a standard vaudeville song, likely written in 1904. It is credited to Walter Melrose, Grant Rymal and Marty Bloom, who published it with Morris Edwin H & Co Inc in 1908. Many artists recorded the song in 1927, including Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven, and King Oliver. Ernest Rogers recorded a version, also in 1927, which shares several lines with Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher".
The song has many different versions, but all share a common theme: Willie, a chimney sweeper with a dope habit, is introduced. The rest of the song is a description of his drug-induced dream.
(OKeh 8482)
Recorded 5/7/1927 Chicago, Illinois.
Hot Seven (Musical group)
Louis Armstrong (leader)
Louis Armstrong (instrumentalist : cornet)
Walter Melrose (composer)
Marty Bloom (composer)
"Willie the Weeper" is a song about drug addiction. It is based on a standard vaudeville song, likely written in 1904. It is credited to Walter Melrose, Grant Rymal and Marty Bloom, who published it with Morris Edwin H & Co Inc in 1908. Many artists recorded the song in 1927, including Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven, and King Oliver. Ernest Rogers recorded a version, also in 1927, which shares several lines with Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher".
The song has many different versions, but all share a common theme: Willie, a chimney sweeper with a dope habit, is introduced. The rest of the song is a description of his drug-induced dream.
