The blues originated in the Mississippi Delta in the late 19th century. It was influenced by work songs and folk music. The Blues was characterized by its melancholy sound with repetitive lyrics expressing feelings of oppression, hard times, and love-related troubles using instruments such as the guitar, piano, and harmonica. The Blues brought adults out to come to places like juke joints to dance and have a good time, during a time when these social gatherings were very important to African Americans of the time.