The Great Depression is typically taught through history textbooks, but the music of this time allows students to learn about this era through different perspectives. The Great Depression witnessed many musical styles--from the light heartedness of popular music to the sadness of the blues, gospel, which offered inspiration, to the tension between populism and the popular front. No one style of music has been more intricately woven into the political culture of the times than the blues. Blues music was sometimes also referred to as the "Roosevelt's Blues," because so many songs conveyed political commentary on Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was president for the greater part of the Depression. The Great Depression hit almost all Americans, but it hit African Americans especially hard. This article examines the famous African American blues musicians who used music as social commentary during the Great Depression era. Included with this article are a "Lyrics Analysis Worksheet" and a "Musical Styles Worksheet." (Contains 12 notes.)