ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Holler Blues

Okay kiddo, so have you ever heard of the blues? It's a type of music that people play when they feel sad or down. Now, holler blues is a type of blues music that was popular in the southern United States a long time ago.

You see, back then, a lot of people were working really hard on farms and plantations. They had to work all day in the hot sun and they didn't have much free time or money. So, they would sing these holler blues songs in the fields while they worked.

The songs were really simple and easy to remember, and they often talked about the struggles and hardships of everyday life. They'd sing about missing their families, feeling tired and worn out, and wanting a better life.

The cool thing about holler blues is that it was all done with just the voice! People would use different tones and sounds to create a kind of melody, almost like a musical instrument. Sometimes they'd even make up their own words and sounds to fit the tune.

So, holler blues was a way for people to express their feelings and connect with each other. Even though it was a tough time, they found a way to make something beautiful out of it. And now, we can still hear holler blues songs today and appreciate the creativity and heart that went into making them.