Alphablues: An X-rated show

For this new episode of Alphablues, Paco opens an X-rated case file. Blues and rock have always had a soft spot for sex, sometimes concealed behind a metaphor or double entendre, and sometimes addressed without the slightest restraint. Following a first instalment devoted to blues in season 1, the show pushes things even further this time with seven covers and original songs rooted in rock and blues rock. The temperature rises steadily: sensitive ears beware!

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Alphablues S2 #24 X comme Classé X (2) – Alphablues

The episode begins almost innocently with The Beatles and Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?. Written by Paul McCartney, the song does not bother much with metaphors. The idea reportedly came to him after watching two monkeys mating in Rishikesh, India. He saw it as an instinctive, animal form of sexuality, free from human complications. Musically, the song, recorded with Ringo Starr, takes the form of a short blues number lasting less than two minutes.

With Led Zeppelin and The Lemon Song, the language shifts to that of old-school blues. The lemon being squeezed until the juice runs down the legs is, of course, a sexual metaphor. The band draws directly from the repertoire of Howlin’ Wolf and Robert Johnson. Suggestive blues therefore existed long before Led Zeppelin, who mainly added some powerful amplifiers to it.

Bull Moose Jackson recorded Big Ten Inch Record in 1952. The title officially refers to a ten-inch 78 rpm record, measuring around 25 centimetres. But the singer knew exactly what his audience would understand when he claimed he could get his woman going by taking out his “big ten-inch”. In 1975, Aerosmith covered this rhythm and blues classic and turned its double meaning into pure rock’n’roll.

With The Rolling Stones, the veil almost disappears completely. Originally titled Starfucker, the song became Star Star at the record label’s request. Its lyrics, focusing on groupies, celebrities and sex, remain particularly explicit. Steve McQueen and John Wayne are both mentioned over a riff directly inspired by Chuck Berry. The BBC, unimpressed by the provocation, decided to ban it from the airwaves.

Johnny Winter is best known for his electric blues and fiery guitar playing. With Sweet Papa John, recorded in 1974, he also reveals a particularly suggestive side. This slow blues is packed with sexual double entendres revolving around a “stick of candy” that women are invited to taste all night long.

A “pearl necklace” might sound elegant. But with ZZ Top, jewellery is obviously not the subject. The entire song Pearl Necklace revolves around this double entendre and the narrator’s surprise when he realises what his partner is actually asking him to do. It is a highly sexual reference, delivered with the Texan trio’s trademark humour.

To finish, Alphablues returns to the roots with Shave ’Em Dry, an especially explicit dirty blues whose title could be loosely translated as “take me dry”. First recorded in 1924 by Ma Rainey, and later most famously by Lucille Bogan in 1935, the song is covered here by Elli De Mon. The Italian blueswoman, who regularly performs alone on several instruments, does not attempt to recreate the old sound. Instead, she preserves its spirit and original lyrics in a wild, contemporary garage version. What follows is genuinely X-rated: the most curious listeners can look up the lyrics themselves.

From the metaphors of old blues to the provocations of rock, these seven songs show that popular music has never waited for permission to talk about desire and sexuality. The words may change and the amplifiers may grow louder, but the principle remains the same: to suggest, provoke and sometimes say everything without holding back.

🎵 Featured in this episode:

• The Beatles – Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?
• Led Zeppelin – The Lemon Song
• Aerosmith – Big Ten Inch Record
• The Rolling Stones – Star Star
• Johnny Winter – Sweet Papa John
• ZZ Top – Pearl Necklace
• Elli De Mon – Shave ’Em Dry

👉 Broadcast times on Blues Actu Radio

📅 Sunday at 6 p.m.
☀️ Monday at 11 a.m.
🌙 Tuesday at 11:30 p.m.

For once, the cover image was generated using AI. Please don’t hold it against us!