Merline Johnson

Merline Johnson (born c. 1912 or 1918, date of death unknown) was an American blues singer in the 1930s and 1940s, billed as The Yas Yas Girl. "Yas yas" was a euphemism for buttocks in hokum blues songs such as Blind Boy Fuller's "Get Yer Yas Yas Out" and James "Stump" Johnson's "The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas".

Little is known of her life. It is generally believed that she was born in Mississippi, though the researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest she may have been born Merline Baker in Callaway County, Missouri. She was the aunt of singer LaVern Baker.

Johnson first recorded in Chicago in 1937. One early song was "Sold It to the Devil". Over the next four years she recorded over 90 songs, including "Don't You Make Me High", "I'd Rather Be Drunk", and "Love with a Feeling". She recorded a few risqué songs.

Her speciality was a variety of juke joint blues, with songs such as "Drinking My Blues Away" and "I Just Keep on Drinking", delivered in a tough, unlovable voice. She was accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Blind John Davis, Buster Bennett, and Punch Miller. Her final recordings, not issued at the time, were cut in 1947.

Birth and Death Data: Born Mississippi (state of the United States of America)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1838 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 90 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia C2181 10-in. 4/15/1938 When the sun goes down #2 Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2182 10-in. 4/15/1938 Running down my man Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2194 10-in. 5/19/1938 What a man Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2294 10-in. 7/7/1938 Ol' man Mose Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2295 10-in. 7/7/1938 Don't you leave me here Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2296 10-in. 7/7/1938 Separation blues Louisiana Kid ; Yas Yas Girl Vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2297 10-in. 7/7/1938 You can't shoot your pistol Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2347 10-in. 9/27/1938 Whiskey fool Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2354 10-in. 10/4/1938 Don't you make me high Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2355 10-in. 10/4/1938 Love with a feeling Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2484 10-in. 2/10/1939 Some day I'll be gone away Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2485 10-in. 2/10/1939 Easy towing mama Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2486 10-in. 2/10/1939 Grieving heart blues Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2487 10-in. 2/10/1939 Reckless life blues Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2488 10-in. 2/10/1939 Breakin' 'em down tonight Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2489 10-in. 2/10/1939 Someone to take your place Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2490 10-in. 2/10/1939 Got a mind to ramble Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia C2491 10-in. 2/10/1939 True love Rhythm Rascals ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2671 10-in. 8/31/1939 Fine and mellow Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2672 10-in. 8/31/1939 Nobody knows how I feel Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2673 10-in. 8/31/1939 I need you by my side Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2674 10-in. 8/31/1939 You can't have none of that Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2675 10-in. 8/31/1939 I got to have it daddy Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2676 10-in. 8/31/1939 Don't have to sing the blues Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
Columbia WC2677 10-in. 8/31/1939 You're a pain in the neck to me Jazz Boys ; Yas Yas Girl Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble  
(Results 26-50 of 90 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Merline," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106737.

Johnson, Merline. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106737.

"Johnson, Merline." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106737

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