Lead Belly - "Black Betty"

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  • Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
  • This video features Lead Belly's "Black Betty" from the 2015 box set 'Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection'. For more information about this album, click here: www.folkways.si... and for more information about Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the national museum, click here: folkways.si.edu....

Комментарии • 213

  • @jeremywiste8367
    @jeremywiste8367 7 лет назад +305

    Amazing the number of relatively modern hits that were remakes from Lead Belly!
    Lot's of talent

    • @rionthemagnificent2971
      @rionthemagnificent2971 5 лет назад +13

      I thought Lead Belly sang blues / folk songs that weren't recorded till he covered em.

    • @thereverendepi_gee565
      @thereverendepi_gee565 4 года назад +13

      He did the same thing as the modern artists... adaptations of older songs... but he is an important link in the chains of musical history.

    • @normbograham
      @normbograham 4 года назад +5

      Leadbelly wrote this song.

    • @michaelg7601
      @michaelg7601 4 года назад +16

      It's actually a much older marching cadence. Black betty is a rifle. It's wild baby is the bullet, the gun is blind, can't shoot straight.

    • @dnash2131
      @dnash2131 4 года назад +2

      @@michaelg7601 yes, I was just reading up about this

  • @sausagefinger8849
    @sausagefinger8849 8 лет назад +212

    He claps on every 3 &1/2 beat love this song

    • @kevinyoungblood6410
      @kevinyoungblood6410 5 лет назад +2

      Right on 👍 👌

    • @NefariousDreary
      @NefariousDreary 4 года назад +7

      I know, it's crazy. I would have gone off beat lol but be keeps it consistent

    • @parkerwoodlouse5030
      @parkerwoodlouse5030 4 года назад +6

      He learned this from a tradition going back to American Indians, the banning of talking drums led to a fusion of this music rather than the afro-cuban one, the Blues ... and Led Zep-belly is an update of the new/old genre.

    • @parkerwoodlouse5030
      @parkerwoodlouse5030 4 года назад +6

      Check out the Northwest Coast Indians in BC to really hear some wild polymeter ...

    • @macmillanhodges5307
      @macmillanhodges5307 3 года назад +6

      It took me a while to figure out where the clap was... I've never heard this beat!

  • @alanche13
    @alanche13 4 года назад +24

    black betty was the feared carriage that took men from the prison to solitary confinement. It was feared/ all they had was their togetherness.

    • @HTJB60
      @HTJB60 3 месяца назад

      Thank you for that explanation.

  • @danunderwood6240
    @danunderwood6240 8 лет назад +169

    Everyone should research how Lead Belly got his start... it's pretty amazing. His music literally saved his life. Awesome song.

    • @docbailey3265
      @docbailey3265 7 лет назад +4

      Dan Underwood Yep. Read about it on Wiki. Good thing he had musical talent.

    • @janisbaumrucker3431
      @janisbaumrucker3431 5 лет назад +3

      Amazing life story. Almost too good to be true. Everyone should check out Leadbelly's outstanding journey!

  • @jdlives8992
    @jdlives8992 4 года назад +61

    My grandfather used to sing this just like that. It was something else cause the timing was insane.

    • @jdlives8992
      @jdlives8992 2 года назад

      @GameHackGirl ruclips.net/video/zZYryyA28go/видео.html

  • @FishNFreshWater
    @FishNFreshWater 3 года назад +22

    The Goat!!!! Give this Man all the credit. He could play 6 different instruments!!! He changed the world.

  • @michaelcooper1194
    @michaelcooper1194 8 лет назад +50

    lead belly, the patriarch of modern music.

  • @PEEL2000
    @PEEL2000 10 месяцев назад +4

    Funny how society generally tries to deny leadbelly did all of these songs, since major label Artists and bands covered many of them in the 1969s and 70s
    I guess its due time for giving credit where it's due, for a change
    Fancy label lawyers for the majors involved do nothing but suppress the facts, and leadbelly songs are being unacknowledged and refused, time and time again
    Thanks for sharing

  • @HigherWaysWoman
    @HigherWaysWoman 2 года назад +11

    June 10 2022 I JUST NOW LEARNED ABOUT THIS SONG BY LEAD BELLY FROM THE 30'S...!!!! HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS....WOW...!!!!!!!!!!! Who would've thunk this could have ever come from where it did...just blows me away. It's a real shame Lead Belly didn't put this w/at least a guitar w/it. real shame. Thank You Smithsonian' for making this available for all generations to find & enjoy. Seek n Ye Shall Find...!!!

  • @user-sk4gp3mz2k
    @user-sk4gp3mz2k 4 месяца назад +3

    Been listening to this song for years and never knew Ledbelly wrote it!
    Oh Spike Kitty...😊

    • @luvuyomgenge6312
      @luvuyomgenge6312 3 месяца назад +1

      It wasn't written by LeadBelly either it, it's James "Iron Head" Baker.

    • @suzannewinz1099
      @suzannewinz1099 2 месяца назад

      Just learned this today. Thanks to Tom Jones. :D

    • @suzannewinz1099
      @suzannewinz1099 2 месяца назад

      @@luvuyomgenge6312 oh. oops

  • @ResinRat2
    @ResinRat2 Год назад +17

    Great to hear this one. RIP Lead Belly. You are a Legend!

  • @robertnowak9650
    @robertnowak9650 3 месяца назад +2

    As i got older, i was wondering who else did this song!! O'l Lead Belly, it was great. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

    • @kenyapressley6706
      @kenyapressley6706 3 месяца назад

      Wasn't it George Harrison who said that without Leadbelly there would have been no beatles

  • @yodude43090
    @yodude43090 6 лет назад +44

    Taking some bong hits listening to true classics today is Leadbelly and scrolling through his songs it's amazing how many artists throughout the years took inspiration and even full songs from Leadbelly. Some iconic songs came from this man right here it's ashame he lived in such racial time he'd of been a legend in today's world

  • @kidcalabria
    @kidcalabria 3 года назад +9

    It should be "Leadbelly", one word. His name was Huddie Leadbetter, nicknamed "Leadbelly" because once he was shot in the belly (he spent years in prison for murder) and the bullet was never removed. First "bluesman" (Leadbelly was a "songster" rather than a "bluesman") who played in Europe...

  • @GWNBF
    @GWNBF 7 лет назад +13

    Very glad someone could educate us on Black Betty.

  • @manuelrocha9254
    @manuelrocha9254 5 лет назад +16

    First time listening to leadbelly instant fan 2019

  • @joyhughes9625
    @joyhughes9625 Год назад +6

    That was awesome! This has always been on of my favorites from Ram Jam. I love hearing and reading about the origins of the song!

    • @bradsbrain
      @bradsbrain 9 месяцев назад

      This has always been ONE of your favorites from RamJam?

  • @hellmutseifferth884
    @hellmutseifferth884 6 лет назад +11

    Best Blues singer I ever listened too and still do

  • @Alan_Page
    @Alan_Page 7 лет назад +126

    My job is so shitty, I'm going to start singing work chants at my computer checking my email, etc.

    • @purplecabbage4406
      @purplecabbage4406 5 лет назад +9

      I was cooking and started singing it. Then my 8 year old was like, "mama what are you singing??" So here I am lol

    • @selenieg9532
      @selenieg9532 5 лет назад +8

      Omg hilarious! That should be like an SNL skit or something.

    • @googleisretarded7618
      @googleisretarded7618 4 года назад +3

      Somebody has written your anthem already, The White Collar Holler ruclips.net/video/rsDkmVo2fg4/видео.html

    • @Blueguitar007
      @Blueguitar007 4 года назад +2

      Exactly!

    • @JStarStar00
      @JStarStar00 4 года назад +15

      My job is so shitty
      I gotta work in the city
      Bam a lam
      I get paid a little bitty
      My checkbook ain't pretty
      Bam a lam

  • @oxbloodpeacock8455
    @oxbloodpeacock8455 Год назад +2

    I just got blown away. Wow is all I can say.

  • @markuscurillious
    @markuscurillious 4 года назад +4

    love how simplistic it is

  • @miken.2847
    @miken.2847 Год назад +3

    Never heard this before. Rick Beato sent me here. I literally got chills.

  • @robertcreighton4635
    @robertcreighton4635 4 года назад +6

    Ram jam brought me here 👌

  • @hectorwalkins9483
    @hectorwalkins9483 5 лет назад +6

    I guessed if that music is from ram Jam, wow, Leadbelly is a legend,

  • @garethsuddens6659
    @garethsuddens6659 8 лет назад +9

    legend

  • @angelmesstanoffski6242
    @angelmesstanoffski6242 8 лет назад +57

    Now, i know where that 1970's band Ram Jam got their "Black Betty" song from. Lead Belly!!!!

    • @kierenpeverley6200
      @kierenpeverley6200 7 лет назад +20

      but the very first people to sing this song were slaves. so ram jam got it from lead belly, and lead belly got it fro. the slaves

    • @kierenpeverley6200
      @kierenpeverley6200 7 лет назад +1

      from*

    • @terilefevers6189
      @terilefevers6189 6 лет назад +1

      Ikr. I had not a clue till now. Have a great day/night.

    • @toxicrick5394
      @toxicrick5394 4 года назад +2

      Not just ram jam... EVERYONE stole from him

    • @livedandletdie
      @livedandletdie 4 года назад +2

      Toxic Rick, it's not really theft, a lot of Artists liked his songs, and wanted to popularize them. Sure it wouldn't make sense for Ram Jam to make a worker's chant, but turning it into a rock song, they did very well. Nirvana was the truest with their rendition of In the Pines(Where did you sleep last night), The Animals did a beautiful rendition of House of the Rising Sun, and these songs were recorded by Lead Belly, not written by him.

  • @knowledgegizmo7934
    @knowledgegizmo7934 7 лет назад +76

    lmao the genius!! a classic with only vocals and clapping 😂😂

    • @radical-dude
      @radical-dude 5 лет назад +3

      They instruments in 1933 because it was the several war

  • @JaRule6
    @JaRule6 Год назад

    I leaned about him in an English class in college. I hated the class and I couldn't stand the teacher but one good thing was he introduced us to Leadbelly 💕🤷

  • @Pottsy1981
    @Pottsy1981 7 месяцев назад +13

    Change playback speed to 1.5x and you got a jam!

  • @That_AMC_Guy
    @That_AMC_Guy Месяц назад

    Amazing sound for a recording that pre-dates magnetic tape.

  • @jesslovedatea4348
    @jesslovedatea4348 5 лет назад +3

    2019...still here...o my

  • @dawnstone1708
    @dawnstone1708 7 лет назад +5

    Oh Damn this is epic

  • @jamess.8223
    @jamess.8223 9 месяцев назад

    Incredible

  • @timmotel5804
    @timmotel5804 9 месяцев назад

    2023: Excellent. Thank You

  • @vivian4949
    @vivian4949 Год назад +2

    I first heard this song from RamJam. 1970's were my teen years, I've been very confused about the lyrics for many years, last night I decided to look up the original song and found this first OFFICIAL recording fromm 1933, in this original version LeadBelly sings about Black Betty having a baby, other stories are around saying that Black Betty was 2 things.
    1) that ugly whip
    2) the vehicle that delivered the prisoners to that ugly prison
    I'm still confused, I'm trying to understand as my father was a racist and didn't know it, I didn't turn out like him simply because I was born to listen to what my soul and my guardian spirits ALWAYS told me, the clapping kind of sounded like an ugly whip in a strange way I'd love to be wrong about that.

  • @erictalkington5674
    @erictalkington5674 3 года назад +3

    I found this a few years back, but it's always cool to find a song that you think is one groups song just to find out it was a cover like Train Kept A-Rollin from Aerosmith, blew my mind that it was a Yardbirds song. I know a shit load of old music too, 10's of thousands of songs, and I still keep finding stuff that was the original that someone else covered and I thought the band covering it that it was there song. I heard SRV playing Commit A Crime live and I thought it was his for a while and then I ran into the Howlin Wolf version and love it too!

    • @mattb90210
      @mattb90210 2 года назад

      To supplement your education:
      ruclips.net/video/VkZhJJ8sPmw/видео.html

    • @yelastava6417
      @yelastava6417 11 месяцев назад

      Which was a cover johnny burnette song that was also a cover of a r&b song! (The train kept a rollin)

  • @jacquelinefox2632
    @jacquelinefox2632 2 года назад +1

    Who's Black Betty now..... 🎶🎶🦊💖💖. Ces't Moi xxxxx 💕🎤🎸🎼🎵

  • @cosmicman621
    @cosmicman621 4 года назад +1

    Mr hip with the out time claps..too cool for school

  • @raysgr
    @raysgr 6 лет назад +4

    enjoyed that sooo much. thanks for posting

  • @jojomcgee3430
    @jojomcgee3430 4 года назад +4

    All music that is "American " is based of black cadence work songs. These songs are the basis of a mod American blues, rock, pop, country, country-western, hip hop, etc. It all started here

  • @kronikkronolov9793
    @kronikkronolov9793 4 года назад +4

    I love how no.one in the comments relatea this to general feel of punk all through the years.

    • @jamesstaggenborg3537
      @jamesstaggenborg3537 2 года назад

      What these Folk singers did for Working Class Punx is phenomenal.

  • @DinorwicSongwriter
    @DinorwicSongwriter 4 года назад +2

    Had no idea Lead Belly was still cuttin albums in 2015

  • @andrewharris7517
    @andrewharris7517 2 года назад

    My Big Mamma use to sing this song and others while she was work’in Dat MoJo in her Kitchen… I miss you Ethel Mae…

  • @IMadeThis123
    @IMadeThis123 3 месяца назад +1

    Ain’t the internet great.

  • @gladtobealoser5305
    @gladtobealoser5305 8 лет назад +5

    damnit!so great

  • @captainzoll3303
    @captainzoll3303 5 лет назад +43

    wait, so spiderbait's song was a cover of ram jam's, which was a cover of Lead belly's?

    • @jasonphelps2914
      @jasonphelps2914 4 года назад

      Check out the Mason Rack, it beats em all!

    • @dnebdal
      @dnebdal 4 года назад +1

      Which, again, was probably a version of an old marching song, yes. :)

    • @videondn171
      @videondn171 4 года назад +3

      Which is an old-timey chain gang, work crew song originally.

    • @philingram9281
      @philingram9281 3 года назад +2

      And Leadbelly's 1939 version was a cover of James "Iron Head" Baker from 1933

    • @matthewbeatty6248
      @matthewbeatty6248 3 года назад +1

      I don’t know what “spiderbait” is, but welcome to your musical consciousness raising, my friend. Nothing is really new, and you’ll have a much deeper experience with art if you dig into and understand the roots and antecedents of the things that are being sold to you. 😊 Humans are so interesting, and the art they make can be universal, essential, and timeless.

  • @confeiteiromarxista
    @confeiteiromarxista 7 лет назад +1

    rly like this

  • @TheMrZif
    @TheMrZif 5 лет назад +1

    Old Shreveport boy. Well mooringsport. Close enough.

  • @angieclark767
    @angieclark767 Год назад

    I remember my Grannie singing this song 🎵

  • @Meehowski
    @Meehowski 3 года назад

    Epic.....

  • @louiesamuel9189
    @louiesamuel9189 3 года назад +1

    Who are the 28 dead people that gave a thumbs down to Leadbelly.

    • @michaelshaw3911
      @michaelshaw3911 2 года назад

      Maybe people who don't like the style? I acknowledge the artistic creativity of it but it's not really that entertaining to listen to in my opinion, lyrics are kind of rambling and no instrumentals plus the off beat clapping just doesn't work for me. I think this is one of those instances where I prefer the cover, like all along the watchtower. Bob dylan for sure wrote it but Hendrix' version is just better. Same here.

  • @ignacioalvarez7174
    @ignacioalvarez7174 7 лет назад +11

    still listening in 2016.

  • @Blueguitar007
    @Blueguitar007 4 года назад +5

    Why isn't Lead Belly considered the father of rock and roll?

    • @rgsultracomedy2867
      @rgsultracomedy2867 4 года назад +1

      He wasn't white like Elvis. Sad but true

    • @jackcrabb2672
      @jackcrabb2672 4 года назад +4

      @@rgsultracomedy2867 Elvis was called the King of Rock and Roll, not the father of it. All Rock aficionados understand that Rock came from a combination of the Blues and Country.

    • @rgsultracomedy2867
      @rgsultracomedy2867 4 года назад +2

      Elvis is the king of rock and roll. Irrelevant point.

  • @Grynslvr2
    @Grynslvr2 5 лет назад +12

    I was just wondering if anyone had any more information on this song. To me it sounds like a "work" song. Something used to synchronize the efforts of a work crew. I think I heard something like this in a video showing an all black crew straightening a stretch of railroad tracks with nothing but steel bars. Similar to the sea chanteys that were used to get sailors in sync when pulling on lines to raise sails. Does anyone know?

    • @deemeacham7397
      @deemeacham7397 5 лет назад +2

      supposedly it started as a british marching song, Black Betty being their guns at the time, named for the black stock, which got succeeded by the Brown Bess/Bessie depending on who you ask, which failed to have much accuracy, resulting in the backlines shooting the frontline soldiers by mistake somewhat often. That's mostly word of mouth though as we have no recordings of this obviously, but it can be later traced to work songs possibly sung by slaves and definitely sung by prisoners. if you look up "black betty original" on here, surely one or two tracks will come up as sung by black prisoners on the railroad tracks they worked on.

    • @elizamichael2386
      @elizamichael2386 2 года назад

      @@deemeacham7397 I found the original from a Texas Railroad workers crew. :)

  • @juniourst3ven596
    @juniourst3ven596 4 года назад +2

    I'm still waiting for MOBY to sample parts if this song!

  • @SuperFerrazzi
    @SuperFerrazzi 8 лет назад +1

    super !!

  • @philipgreenfield188
    @philipgreenfield188 5 лет назад

    Wow...Well done

  • @dankjaycobi3257
    @dankjaycobi3257 4 года назад +1

    Even though what we think of "black betty" isn't exactly the same its so interesting how influential lead belly really was

  • @ryanbutler6832
    @ryanbutler6832 Год назад +1

    Anybody know Lead Belly?
    1930's original Black Betty!

  • @abril8915
    @abril8915 3 года назад

    ♥️♥️♥️♥️

  • @mississippiblackberries6622
    @mississippiblackberries6622 Год назад +1

    ☀️☀️☺️☺️💗💗 ...

  • @JohnKuhles1966
    @JohnKuhles1966 Месяц назад

    Sounds perfect at 1.4 speed (using custom option)

  • @kansascityshuffle8526
    @kansascityshuffle8526 6 лет назад +5

    2018

  • @lensperspective9753
    @lensperspective9753 7 месяцев назад

    Black Betty id public domain, you are welcome, young film makers

  • @oreally8605
    @oreally8605 Год назад +1

    Is there nothing pop rock musicians didn't steal from Lead Belly?

  • @jefersonleytondavila569
    @jefersonleytondavila569 4 года назад

    Americana good, Ty :D

  • @AccurateCrabLegs
    @AccurateCrabLegs 3 года назад +1

    My neighbor sings this song while raking leaves in his yard. Completely nude except for a red, sequined top hat.

  • @kewward3741
    @kewward3741 5 лет назад

  • @sharondavidbowie
    @sharondavidbowie 7 лет назад +13

    If you're happy and you know it klap your...

  • @FatherOfStupidMeow
    @FatherOfStupidMeow 3 года назад +3

    Amazing. Never thought Huddie Leadbelly resembled Wesley Snipes but their he is.

    • @THESUPERDOOLEY
      @THESUPERDOOLEY 2 года назад

      Quit reaching... Smfh

    • @edelgyn2699
      @edelgyn2699 Год назад

      LOL Apart from them both being dark skinned adult men - they don't look alike!

  • @mocha9072
    @mocha9072 5 лет назад +7

    When snooty older people tried to tell you that Ram Jam was the original.

  • @jonathanclaassen5273
    @jonathanclaassen5273 Год назад

    One man jukebox

  • @jacquelinefox2632
    @jacquelinefox2632 2 года назад +1

    Over yourself. Ha. 💖👍🎶

  • @JReed7560
    @JReed7560 4 года назад +2

    This is great, around what time was this?

  • @startervisions
    @startervisions 7 лет назад +25

    Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Leadbelly

  • @chavruta2000
    @chavruta2000 11 месяцев назад

    Lots of confusion on this song. It's in 4/4 fast tempo and the clap is on 4, which is unusual. Or you can say he is superdividing a moderate tempo 4/4 and clapping on and-of-2.

  • @chillmaster2866
    @chillmaster2866 3 года назад

    American gods Brought me here

  • @sleepyjean4275
    @sleepyjean4275 Год назад

    What would Lead Belly think of RamJam, and Spider Bait?

  • @youngrios
    @youngrios 2 года назад

    When u heard spiderbait first and never knew it was remade twice 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

  • @Largeportion1000
    @Largeportion1000 5 лет назад

    instrument free lady's n gents.

  • @EmeEos
    @EmeEos 5 лет назад +20

    *AMERICAN GODS?*

  • @myyoutube887
    @myyoutube887 Год назад

    Black Eyed Susans Show

  • @ehoffman796
    @ehoffman796 8 лет назад +2

    Vernon any where you have found him in motion, thanks

  • @tookurjaerbs
    @tookurjaerbs 4 года назад

    I'm enraptured

  • @Geoff_G
    @Geoff_G 2 года назад

    Great cover! Like House Of The Rising Sun, it'll never be known who first did it.

  • @Pinkangelinmenard
    @Pinkangelinmenard 5 лет назад

    So Ram Jam did not write this? But thier own version. So did Tom Jones

  • @larrywoolridge5359
    @larrywoolridge5359 Год назад

    Ram Jam ripped him off

  • @LucasWildwolf0
    @LucasWildwolf0 5 лет назад +1

    VALHALLA?

    • @PHHorlock
      @PHHorlock 5 лет назад +1

      Ain't nobody going to fucking Valhalla!

  • @jliz6435
    @jliz6435 5 лет назад +2

    The clapping is really hard to do, try it

    • @INSOMNIACification
      @INSOMNIACification 5 лет назад +1

      It’s on the offbeat isn’t it? Tricky

    • @assassinmanx6128
      @assassinmanx6128 2 года назад +1

      It’s really not. He put his heart and soul into it and is mimicking the timing of a whip.

    • @dirtybluevoice
      @dirtybluevoice 2 года назад +1

      I thought it was just me when I found impossible to clap where leadbelly clapped. I’m glad it really is musically difficult. So is a yard whip-

    • @dirtybluevoice
      @dirtybluevoice 2 года назад +1

      Thanks big time to the person who said to clap on the “a” of bam a lam. Saved me from total madness.
      But it’s still hard to do

  • @angusrocks939
    @angusrocks939 3 года назад

    ive allways been told black betty was a british musket. her child is the lead ball that exited her barrel. it then proceeded to go blind, wild, and crazy.

  • @ynesbarrow
    @ynesbarrow 3 года назад +1

    He sounds like he could be someone's granpa.

  • @mirahsan2
    @mirahsan2 Год назад

    Man, sampling needs to be outlawed

  • @GangrelDj
    @GangrelDj Год назад

    Incierto sorewa burning hell awaits led Kashmir little illusion postmortem Tsuki Du cáncer shikari subliminal drain pay to win numb Green universe dream surprises anything goes spaces

  • @pascalvalera6829
    @pascalvalera6829 5 лет назад

    Brought here by American Gods and Caravan Palace.

  • @WillAnderson3rd
    @WillAnderson3rd 3 года назад +7

    Why did he steal this song from Lynyrd Skynyrd?

  • @Lordoftheflyfilms
    @Lordoftheflyfilms 5 лет назад

    sounds like ram jam just made up their own lyrics.

  • @Kurt007
    @Kurt007 5 лет назад

    ?

  • @THE_BRAVE_LITTLE_TOASTER
    @THE_BRAVE_LITTLE_TOASTER 2 года назад

    Ram jam is better

    • @joeyhuebner10
      @joeyhuebner10 2 года назад

      Maybe to you, but opinions differ

  • @karenleeM
    @karenleeM 3 года назад

    Sounds worse than my singing,hurry up n belt Ram jams out