Level: 2/3
Tuning: Standard

The Memphis Jug Band recorded "Cocaine Habit Blues" on May 17th, 1930 in Memphis. The singer is Hattie Hart. The song is credited to Jennie Mae Clayton who was Will Shade's wife. But the origins of the song goes way back before the band recorded it. In Howard Odum's 1911 'Folk-song and Folk-poetry as found in the Secular Songs of the Southern Negroes: Part 1' the song is annotated as "Honey, Take A One On Me". In fact, "Cocaine Habit Blues" has almost the identical melody and verses as "Take A Whiff On Me". Charlie Poole with The North Carolina Ramblers recorded this as "Honey, Take A One On Me" on July 25th, 1927.

There are many, many versions of this song from Lead Belly to the Byrds. The playing of "Cocaine Habit Blues" aka "Take A Whiff On Me" should not be confused with Rev. Gary Davis's "Cocaine Blues" aka "Coco Blues". Though the lyrics are similar the guitar arrangement is totally different.

I approached the arrangement in the Key of C and tried to imitate the melody line as played by the harmonica player. Nothing too difficult and you should have fun playing and singing this song with friends.