The Sky is Crying

One of my all time favorite blues songs “The Sky Is Crying”: is a blued standard that was written and initially recored by Elmore James, in early November in Chicago of 1959. A slow-tempo twelve-bar blues progression in the key of C. One of the most interesting facts about this song as it was recorded impromptu. Basically it was raining like crazy in Chicago and there you go, one of the most durable compositions at 2 minutes and 47 seconds.

I tend to gravitate to the Albert King version and interpret his fretted approach when I play it on guitar compared of the original slide guitar that was played by Elmore James. This song has to be one of the most covered songs every. Just with a little bit of random searches I actually found a list: The Sky Is Crying Covers

From Albert King, Earl Hooker, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Steve Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, to George Throrogood and probably hundreds of others who have covered it in many a set lists.

So why does this make a good song to interpret and make it your own? I think it is a great use of the standard twelve bar blues and an easy three chord progression. The key can be changed, you can speed it up, slow it down, and lots of great opportunities for blues licks and bass fills.

Give this one a listen at the YouTube link below: