1.  T.B. Blues • Otis Spann*, 4:12
Muddy Water’s long-time band mate and pianist died of TB.

2.  I Have Had My Fun • Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee*, 3:33
Since 1939 Brownie and Sonny have been instrumental in bringing country blues to mainstream audiences. Sonny lost most of his sight in early childhood.

3.  Wade In The Water • The Blind Boys Of Alabama*, 3:34
Singing in the blind school and gospel traditions this Grammy winning group has enjoyed mainstream success.

4.  Bess, You Is My Woman Now (excerpt) • William Warfield, 1:56
Goat cart-using para celebrates love, romance, and intimacy.

5.  My Little Tune • Joni Eareckson†, 4:01, Joni’s Song, Pop
The Christian author sings about her relationship to her disability and God.

6.  In the Disability Rights Movement • Jeff Moyer†, 2:11
Heart-felt, earnest folk music recognizes the struggle for Disability rights.

7.  In Northern California (Where the Palm Tree Meets the Pine) • Danny O’Keefe, 3:19
Able-bodied folkie describing a one-night-stand with a braced and crutched woman. (“Creepiest song I’ve ever heard.” Anthony Tusler)

8.  Little Crippled Girl’s Prayer • Marsh Family, 3:31
Does this mean that heaven isn’t accessible?

9.  There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere • Elton Britt, 2:48
World War II had its own plucky disability candidate.

10.  Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town • Kenny Rogers
Ruby has it all — politics, anger, self pity.

11.  Daddy Come and Get Me •Dolly Parton, 1:79
Forced institutionalization rears its unexpected head in this country weeper.

12.  Disabled People Do It! • Jane Field*, 2:53
Wheelchair-using folk singer tries to convince us that crips are sexy.

13.  The Letter • The Medallions†, 2:49
“I was a very lonely guy at the time. …14 years old, …and I walked with crutches,” Vernon Green, lead singer.

14.  Save the Last Dance for Me • The Drifters, 2:30
 The wheelchair-using Doc Pomus wrote this for his fun-loving, ever dancing, able-bodied wife.

15.  All Is Lonlieness, Moondog*, 1:20
The Viking of 6th Avenue tell it like it sometimes can be (disabled or AB).

16.  Johnny’s Blues • Johnny Crescendo and the P.O.P. Squad†, 3:44
The U.K.’s Disabled flag bearer and his Piss on Pity Squad

17.  What’s In a Name • The Cripples†, 4:12
They should know.

18.  Takin’ Retards to the Zoo, • Dead Milkmen, .48
What can you say? But why the crash?

19.  Cretin Hop • The Ramones*, 1:18
Joey Ramone’s OCD viewpoint adds another politically incorrect song title and lyrics to the genre.

20.  Spasticus (Autisticus) • Ian Dury & The Blockheads†, 5:11,
The Disabled author of Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll writes a BBC banned anthem for the 1981 International Year of the Disabled.

21.  Mongoloid • Devo, 3:45,
Easier to rhyme than Down’s Syndrome.

22.  Santa’s In A Wheelchair • The Kids Of Widney High†, 3:13,
Widney High is the Los Angeles area special school.

23.  Beautiful People • Marilyn Manson*, 3:38,
Marilyn’s early years in the hospital informs this dig at the mainstream.

  *=disability identity (AT determined)
  † = disability identity (self)

If there are enough people interested in purchasing this compilation, I'll figure out the copyright issues and print up a bunch of copies. The price would probably be somewhere between $10 and $15, depending on production costs. Email me, compilation (at) AboutDisability (dot) com.

Anthony Tusler, 2/10/08

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