Lucille Bogan, B.D. Woman’s Blues | Controversial Songs

In the 22^nd edition of Controversial Songs (2025), we explore the controversy behind “B.D. Woman’s Blues” by Lucille Bogan. 

Bring on the controversy! Controversial Songs is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows, stirred the pot, or were banned. The more censorship censor$hit, the better! The records that grace Controversial Songs are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 22^nd edition of Controversial Songs (2025), we explore the controversy behind “B.D. Woman’s Blues” by Lucille Bogan.

“Coming a time, B.D. women ain’t gon’ need no men,” Lucille Bogan (1897 – 1948) sings on “B.D. Woman’s Blues”. She adds, “Oh, the way treat us is a lowdown and dirty sin.” Men can be trash… I know from experience 😏. But who are these B.D. women? B.D., ladies and gents, stands for bull dyke or bull dagger. Both terms reference lesbians.  Bull dyke, the more common term, is considered disparaging, defined as a lesbian who is notably or deliberately masculine in appearance or manner. Today, it would be more appropriate to characterize her as butch. Dirty blues songs were racy, ribald, and filled with sexual innuendo and double entendre.  “B.D. Woman’s Blues” fits the mold, as Bogan, who recorded under the pseudonym Bessie Jackson, envisions a future where masc lesbians like herself won’t need men at all. Again, men can be trash, particularly those straight men with their toxic masculinity and myopic views 😏. Notably, Bogan is accompanied by Walter Roland (1902/03 – 1972) on piano.

Given that “B.D. Woman’s Blues” hails from the 1930s, that amplifies the controversial, risqué, and scandalous nature of this song.  Gay people didn’t exist then… or so some folks would love to believe 😏.  Furthermore, singing a song about sexuality… The shock! The awe! Bogan doesn’t shy away from the butch identity, asserting, “They got a head like a sweet angel, and they walk just like a natural man.” No explanation necessary – clear as mud! Later, Bogan expands on the masculine traits of these lesbians, singing, “They can lay their jive just like a natural man,” “They all drink up plenty whiskey and they sure will strut their stuff,” and “you know they work and make their dough [money].” Here’s the thing. Nothing should be controversial about being butch, or singing a song about it.  What makes this song controversial is that the subject matter, when it was recorded, was taboo, and that the term used to describe that identity is considered disparaging – there is more appropriate terminology. Regardless, “B.D. Woman’s Blues” is notable as a blues song and its significance as an early LGBTQ song, specifically the L.