W.C. Handy related that he found inspiration for St. Louis Blues from a woman who he met on the street in St. Louis, the woman was so tormented by her husband's absence that he was compelled to write a song about her anguish. St. Louis Blues became unquestionably one of the most important blues compositions in history. The longevity of the song is a testament to its significance in music history. St. Louis Blues neared the top of the list of 40 Most Recorded Songs between 1900 and 1950. It became the first blues song to sell over a million copies when it was recorded by Sophie Tucker in 1917.