ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Blues standard

Okay kiddo, so you know how music can have different styles like pop, rock, and country? Well, one style of music is called blues, and it's all about expressing emotions like sadness, loneliness, and heartbreak.

Now, within the blues style of music, there are certain songs that lots of musicians know how to play and sing. These songs are called "blues standards." Think of them like the most popular songs in the blues style.

One reason why blues standards are important is because they give musicians a common language. If two blues players from different parts of the world meet, they might not be able to communicate in words, but they can play a blues standard like "Stormy Monday" or "Sweet Home Chicago" and understand each other perfectly. It's kind of like how kids all over the world know how to play games like "tag" or "hide and seek" - it's something they have in common.

Another reason why blues standards are important is because they've been around for a long time. Some of them were written almost 100 years ago! That means a lot of musicians have played them and put their own spin on them over the years. So when you hear a blues standard, you're not just listening to one musician's interpretation - you're hearing a musical tradition that's been passed down through generations.

In summary, blues standards are like the greatest hits of the blues style of music. They're important because they give musicians a common language and because they're part of a long musical tradition.