The Online Roots of Rock

The Online Roots of Rock


R O C K . A N D . R O L L
the evolution of music notation in america
O R I G I N S . A N D . E V O L U T I O N S

Bessie Smith - Empty Bed Blues
introduction
milton brown
1928
milton brown
1928
milton brown
1928
milton brown
1936

1939

1957


LITTLE RICHARD
Keep A-Knockin'
(Richard Penniman)
1957

A
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again

B
 You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again

Instrumental break

C
 Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again

D
 You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again

Instrumental break

E
 Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again

F
 You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
You said you loved me but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try again


highlighted verses = sound clip
audio controller is in jukebox at top of page



HISTORICAL NOTES
Little Richard's frantic Keep A-Knockin' reached # 2 on the R&B charts and # 8 on the Pop charts.
It was ranked # 442 in Rolling Stone's Greatest Songs of All Time listing.