OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Bessie Smith - Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl (Audio)
Watch Bessie Smith - Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl (Audio) on YouTube

Featured In

Listen to The Best of Bessie Smith by Bessie Smith
ALBUMThe Best of Bessie SmithBessie Smith
Listen to Classic Blues Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTClassic Blues EssentialsApple Music Blues
Listen to Louis Armstrong Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTLouis Armstrong EssentialsApple Music Jazz
Listen to ’20s Jazz & Pop Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLIST’20s Jazz & Pop EssentialsApple Music Decades
Listen to Jazz Trumpet Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTJazz Trumpet EssentialsApple Music
Listen to The Evolution of Black Music featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTThe Evolution of Black MusicApple Music Pop
Listen to Bessie Smith Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTBessie Smith EssentialsApple Music Blues
Listen to St. Vincent: Visionary Women featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTSt. Vincent: Visionary WomenApple Music
Listen to Aretha Franklin: Influences featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTAretha Franklin: InfluencesApple Music Pop
Listen to Matriarchs featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTMatriarchsApple Music
Listen to James P. Johnson Essentials featuring Bessie Smith
PLAYLISTJames P. Johnson EssentialsApple Music Jazz

Top Songs By Bessie Smith

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith
Vocals
Clarence Williams
Clarence Williams
Piano
James Newton Howard
James Newton Howard
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Clarence Williams
Clarence Williams
Songwriter
Dally Small
Dally Small
Songwriter
Tim Brymn
Tim Brymn
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Lawrence Cohn
Lawrence Cohn
Producer
David Miston
David Miston
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

Tired of bein' lonely
Tired of bein' blue
I wished I had some good man
To tell my troubles to
Seem like the whole world's wrong
Since my man's been gone
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 your mama's soul
'Cause I need a little sugar in my bowl, doggone it
I need some sugar in my bowl
I need a little sugar in my bowl
I need a little hot dog between my rolls
You gettin' different, I've been told
Move your finger, drop something in my bowl
I need a little steam-heat on my floor
Maybe I can fix things up, so they'll go
Get off your knees
I can't see what you're drivin' at
It's dark down there looks like a snake
C'mon here and drop somethin' here in my bowl
Stop your foolin' and
Drop somethin' in my bowl
Written by: Clarence Williams, Dally Small, Tim Brymn

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out