Digging out some dusties from the 1920s and 30s at the moment. I'm listening to some of the big, brassy blues sounds of Bessie Smith on songs like "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair", "Empty Bed Blues", and the classically allegorical "Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl":
"I need a little sugar in my bowl,
I need a little hot dog, on my roll
I can stand a bit of lovin', oh so bad,
I feel so funny, I feel so sad
I need a little steam-heat, on my floor,
Maybe I can fix things up, so they'll go
What's the matter, hard papa, come on and save you mama's soul
'Cause I need a little sugar, in my bowl, doggone it,
I need a little sugar in my bowl"

Classic...