Song: Black Betty

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Written by

Language

English

Comments

Usually credited to Huddie Ledbetter, although he was not the first one to record it. The origin and meaning of the song are not clear: "Black Betty" might be a musket, a girl, a whip or a convict train.

Originals

First recording

Black Betty by James "Iron Head" Baker and Group (December 1933)

First release

Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yallow Women's Door Bells by Leadbelly on audio single Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yallow Women's Door Bells (1939)

Versions

	Title	Performer	Release date
1	Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yallow Women's Door Bells	Leadbelly	1939
2	Black Betty	James "Iron Head" Baker and Group	2000
3	Black Betty	Alan Lomax	1958
4	Black Betty	Koerner, Ray & Glover	1964
5	Black Betty	Ram Jam	1977
6	Black Betty	Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	June 1986
7	Medley - La pelle nera / Johnny B. Goode / Black Betty / Angeli negri	Mina	1989
8	Black Betty	Young Fresh Fellows	1991
9	Black Betty	Electric Boys	1992
10	Black Betty	Throttlerod	October 22, 2002
11	Black Betty	Tom Jones	November 4, 2002
12	Black Betty	Spiderbait	March 2004
13	Black Betty	Ministry and Co-Conspirators	2008
14	Black Betty	Brixtonboogie	April 26, 2013
15	Black Betty	Melvins	April 30, 2013

Forum topics

	Topic	Board	Started by	Replies	Last message
1	Black Betty cover by Michael Lee Firkins	Add songs	Axxie_Dent	0	2007-10-18 12:03:37 GMT by Axxie_Dent
2	Black Betty cover by Meat Loaf	Add songs	Axxie_Dent	0	2007-10-29 14:06:55 GMT by Axxie_Dent
3	Black Betty cover by ZZ Top	Add songs	Belegaer	0	2007-11-11 00:18:43 GMT by Belegaer
4	Black Betty cover by Oli Brown	Add songs	andyx	0	2009-08-06 12:53:08 GMT by andyx
5	Song: Black Betty (Bastien/atichon)	Report Errors	Quentin	2	2010-07-28 13:52:42 GMT by Quentin
6	Black Betty	Add songs	Axxie_Dent	1	2011-04-05 21:35:34 GMT by wally creek
7	Black Betty cover by Alan Lomax	Add songs	VirileVagabond	1	2011-09-09 22:27:42 GMT by Quentin