00:00 The song begins with the piano playing a swing pattern while the cornet improvises an introduction. Notice the inflections and lay back in the cornet.
00:11 Vocal begins with the first phrase. The cornet answers the vocal statement filling in the space until the vocal starts the second phrase.
00:22 Second phrase of the traditional twelve-bar (measure) blues. The text is the same as the first phrase but the melody is altered a little.
00:32 Third and final phrase of the twelve-bar blues. The text is new and completes the thought of this verse. The text is called a verse, but the 12 measures are collectively called a chorus when one refers to the musical structure. The musical structure will repeat for every verse of text. When an instrumental soloist improvises without a vocalist singing, it is referred to as a solo chorus.
00:43 Second verse of text and the second chorus begins. New text. The piano continues to supply bass notes and chords, while the cornet fills the space between the phrases of text.
00:54 The text of the first phrase repeats. (This is very common in a twelve-bar blues.)
01:05 Third phrase and new text.
01:16 Third verse. Same format.
01:26 Second phrase. Notice how the melody of the repeated phrase changes considerably even when the same text is being sung.
01:37 Third phrase.
01:49 Fourth verse.
01:59 Second phrase (repeat of text).
02:10 Last phrase. The fills by the cornet continue as in the other choruses.
02:21 Last verse. Bessie makes this verse sound climactic to the song. She was known for her powerful expressive vocal qualities.
02:32 Second phrase with the same text and melodic variations.
02:42 Third phrase. The piano did not waver from its role as rhythm provider.
02:55 Very short ending.