Legend has it, the producer gave Ram Jam a $500 budget to make the video, so they spent $450 of it on beer and weed and then recorded it in their back yard.
"Black Betty" was a cadence sung by black confederate soldiers during the civil war. Black Betty was a rifle made in Birmingham, Alabama. The company that made the gun made an "improved model", hence "Black Betty had a child". They hated the new rifle because it didn't shoot straight. Hence, "damned thing gone wild". Ram Jam put music to the 160-year-old cadence.
I just found out about 2 days ago that it wasn't Ram Jam that wrote the lyrics for this song. I did think that it was a song sung by black people at the turn of the 20th century.
William Ledbetter aka Lead Belly made what I believe is the first recording of this song. he said that he learned it in prison working on the chain gang. He recorded it in 1934 while he was in prison. Other songs he recorded that others covered, house of the rising sun, gallows pole, midnight special, and good night Irene. Ram jams take rocks
Musicians still play instruments and there are plenty of older bands that experimented with technology and non-traditional means of producing music. I am so tired of hearing about how music was better at some earlier point in time. There has always been and always will be, amazing musicians. Like there has always been and always will be, copycats, plagiarists, and just plain bad musicians.
Best Father Son moment I ever had was in the car listening to my pops jam out “she really gets me high” as I jump in “you know that’s no lie” and him giving the nod of approval followed swiftly with both of us belting out a thunderous WOOOOAH BLACK BETTY. Such a small moment he’s probably forgotten by now but lemme tell ya, when he’s gone. Moments like that will echo in my forever days louder than ears could ever grasp.
@@paul-antonywhatshisface3954 you make a great point, maybe from his eyes it could be a cherished memory he fears I forgot. Either way I’m going to bring it up next time I see him. Life’s too short not to.
I used to rock this song in the car and my boy LOVED IT! We would jam all the time he’d call it the bam bam lama song. I used to call the radio station and request it for him on his birthday and the DJ would always play it for him and wish him happy birthday on the radio. He thought he was famous!😂. Best memories singing this with him. It would be a hoot to play as mom/son dance at his wedding, I’m not sure people would get it though 😂😂😂
@@TheBettaBetbetter yet next time y’all are in the car play it and see if he remembers and jumps in at the same place😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Music is strong and will always provoke memories!
YO THATS SICK, my elementary school music teacher was one of the guitarists for this band, he's the one in the brown shirt, his name is Jimmy Santoro, great guy!
I’m 66 and this came out when I was 19 and dealing weed in 1977. The $400 they supposedly spent on weed would have bought a shit ton since good weed was $20 an ounce back then 😂😂
I’m a classic rock guy, I listened to this with my newborn son and now he hits his drum set to the beat at 20 months old. The repetition in this song is great! Complete with a drum solo. Fantastic song.
My face hurts from your pure joy and hilariously happy review. I love watching people discover and enjoy music I already know and love. Bless you and your appreciation.
Millenial here: I'll never understand the occasional "hate" you'll see when someone lets you know that they just discovered something awesome that you've known about for a long time. Negative people will be like "Ummm, that's very old. How do you NOT know about it?" But positive people can only ever find joy in it! 😊❤️
Music brings us together. We have more in common than we know. It’s healing. Love that you like it. It’s a great fun song. The 70’s were the best. No one cared about politics then.
I absolutely love Shaq’s sincere appreciation for so many different genres/songs/time periods in music. Makes this channel the best reaction channel by miles.
Hahaha true indeed. He’s definitely the greatest negging black sheep and genius behind a keyboard… like there aren’t a million of trolls just like him already. And in typical troll fashion he won’t be able to help himself from responding.
music is one of the few things in life that no matter your heritage or beliefs can very universal to all groups. an awesome way for everyone to have some cultural expansion and learn new sounds and thoughts you never knew or appreciated. Shout out to Shaq for being an open minded individual and experience new things in life that used to be out of his normal comfort zone. Shaq urock man. much love
This is one of those songs you don't listen to when you're driving unless you want a speeding ticket, that intro riff alone gives 100hp boost even if you drive a shitbox.
Best use of this song was in the Johnny Depp film “Blow” when strutting down the airport terminal with Pablo’s coke money, in which the bass drum beat is then accompanied by Latin congas, as his character lands in Medellin. Shear brilliance!
...I am 64 and we were partying to this song about 44 years back and I have a mixed music in my car and this song is on it , so still listening to it...there are soooo many old partying & dancing songs you youngins have yet to hear...glad to see you are checking out because there is some awesome music from years ago...
@@willparker7763 well Will there is no song exactly similar, but I will give you some music that I listened to then and listen to now...I have no idea if they have videos as that wasn't around in my day ..." there's good rockin tonight' by Montrose, " bang a gong" by T-Rex, " keep your hands to yourself" by Georgia Satellites, " flirtin' with disaster" by Molly Hatchet, " smoke on the water" by Deep Purple, " raz - ama-naz" & " hair of the dog" by Nazareth, " I hear you knockin" by Dave Edmunds, " fire down below" by Bob Segar, " LaGrange" by ZZ Top, " pride & joy" by Stevie Ray Vaugn , " another one bites the dust " by Queen and of course " thunderstruck" & " back in black" by ACDC....these are some of the songs we like to party to...if I can think of others I will let you know....
@@vladimirpetrusev3480 ..hey Vlad please check out a few songs that I put on Will Parkers reply...like I said I do not know if they have videos because that was not around so much, but these are songs I still listen to..
This guy’s sincere and excited reactions to everything is so much fun to watch. It’s nice to still see people hearing these legendary rock songs for the first time and all still having the same reactions as when the song was first released.
Love it! This song actually goes back to the 1930's. Blues singer Lead Belly recorded it in 1939 and I think there were a couple of recordings prior to that.
Truth. Some believe Lead Belly's version was an adaptation of an a cappella song attributed to convict James “Iron Head” Baker and a group of prisoners at Central State Farm, in Sugar Land, Texas back in 1933. Wouldn't surprise me if it was sung and handed down through generations long before that... like so many other famous blues songs.
it is said that its actually about a gun he owned. it couldn't shoot straight (the damn thing went wild) but it always helped him out. the child was the bullet.
The fun part is that "Black Betty" was a song originally recorded by Leadbelly in the early 1900s. And before that it was a folk song that was influenced heavily by slave working songs and later by the bluegrass/blues movement, then later rock'n'roll until finally, RamJam gave us this amazing version.
I was a teenager when "Black Betty" by Ram Jam came out. This song was so popular and was #1 back in the 70's. I'm so happy to watch this generation enjoying the music my generation grew up on. lol
That's what I tell my kids when they herald the classics of all genre..I tell them, imagine how we, as teenagers, felt when these gems were played every day on the radio
This was originally done by Leadbelly back in the 20's and 30's. It was a very different style but Ram Jam really did it justice. Love this jam. Great reaction too!
I've always felt out of place and time. I'm convinced I was born during the wrong decade. I may have had a past life wherein I was growing up in the 60's & 70's, but my heart and my consciousness are surely activated during the wrong decade. I envy you and folks your age. I really do. You had the privilege of maturing just before the overlords squashed what it means to be human, having a human experience. It's just not the same, I feel and understand that implicitly in my bones.
Your reaction is priceless. I've known this song for years and it's been covered by many bands, but it's great to see someone new to it enjoy it so much
I babysat a few kids a few years ago. This song is on my playlist and it happened to come up while driving somewhere. They absolutely loved it and requested i play it over and over every time we were in the car. Their reaction to it playing was the same as this man every time they heard it! Music is the voice that doesn't discriminate!
This a BANGER, also one of the first music videos ever made before MTV. You're onto some good stuff, we didn't have hip-hop back then but these bands had BARS.
From a 63 yr old whitewoman, your reaction was priceless. I laughed at you so much I was crying. It was a good tune back in the day. Thanks for making my night.
@@tonyhaynes9080 I got you beat baby lol. I'm a 68 year old white woman and I love this guy lol. Isn't it awesome to see your youth discovering our music?
This song is actually a cover by Ram Jam. They remade it from an old Blues player named Leadbelly in the 1930’s. Actually if memory serves me correctly, the song itself even predates that being an old folk song. This was a good selection, and an awesome reaction. Now, I do have a suggestion that I think you would love. A song called “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer” by George Thorogood & the Destroyers. That’s a fun one!
I'm 66 and boy the yard seen brings back memories..I love it 😄🤣..loved the summer yard parties and the hog roast was amazing...I love that song always did..and it's really amazing play with real instruments😮😊 and out side with awesome family and friends.kids these days are missing out on so much..
This song kicks butt. When it was released, I went nuts over it. This proves how "The Blues" influenced Rock and Roll. Lead Belly was a genius and introduced this song to us
@@jimbob465 Bullshit it has nothing to do with British Military. The song was done in 1933 in a Texas prison. It refers to the whips they used on slaves, which were called Black Betty.
My Dad would blast music all night after i went to bed. He was a rock n roll Dude and this one was one of my favourites! My lullabies were the great rock bands of the 70s. LOL
I loved this. First time I ever heard this I died laughing. In HS I had a black girlfriend, Louise. We cracked up over this. When we was with our friends. I'd tell Louise " You get me high" she'd automatically say say " Thats no lie" Thanks for that memory.
In Wikipedia it says (although it needs more verification) that Black Betty was considered a name of an object such as whiskey, a whip or a penitentiary transfer wagon. Although in this context, it seems it has a hidden meaning because this songs are remakes of the original by Lead Belly. On the lyrics of the song by Lead Belly, it states "Run A-Yonder Black Betty, bam-ba-lam, turn around Black Betty bam-ba-lam" amongst other lyrics within the song, which is telling you that the worker/slave is running while getting whipped. The remake of this version in the form of rock or metal by Soil or this one in particular they for sure talk about a bottle of whiskey from Alabama, because well it makes him "sing" or "high".
I grew up on all the oldies. I'm just 32. I sang em all day long and my kids think I'm silly knowing the lyrics to everyone of em. CCR, Metallica, ZZ top, Areosmith, Warrant, Chicago,Journey, Cinderella, Boston, Eagles, and that's just the start lol 😊
I am a Londoner middle aged woman and I remember being at great parties where everyone dancing and singing the words together Getting goosebumps remembering it
Black Betty was from the 1930's. No one could be credited for writing it, but Lead Belly made it famous. Black Betty was a working song and was a reference to whiskey.
I'm so glad you did this song. This was one of my dad's favorite songs. He passed away back in May and he loved watching your videos. Thanks #nolifeshaq! This one's for you pops! 💗
It was a cover when "Leadbelly" did it. Made famous by James "Ironhead" Baker in 1933. It was, at the time, a prison, chain gang "work song'. Both Leadbelly and Ironhead were convicted MURDERERS that achieved some measure of success and fame after parole. The song itself had origins back, at least, to the early 1700's, as a drinking song in the English pubs and ale houses. It was brought here by the English soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Needless to say, the lyrics have changed quit a bit, over the years.
Ram Jam got this song from Leadbelly who recorded it in 1939. Leadbelly originally recorded a lot of traditional folk songs that had not been recorded before. A lot of artists have covered or re-worked Leadbelly songs. A list of a few artist: CCR, Nirvana, the Weavers, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and the list goes on.
It is actually a remake of blues legend Leadbelly’s original acoustic version WAY back in the day, maybe 30’s or 40’s! Love your reaction to this. My guitar teacher from Hamilton, Ohio Mehas Music Store Dave Goldflies played bass on this song but there was some kind of change in the band line up after the record dropped and he isn’t in the vid. He then later went on to play bass for Dickie Betts & Great Southern and then for the Allman Bros. for a few years in the early 80’s after the drug bust fiasco but was replaced after the original guys made peace and regrouped! He has a small UA-cam channel and plays in an Allman Bros tribute band, last I heard.
And it was passed down to Leadbelly. "Black Betty" originated with the British Army singing about their Black Betty muskets, back in the 1700's. Folk singers, gandy dancers and bluesman sang it, passing it down and making it their own, adding or changing lyrics and arrangements along the way.
If you look into it, this song is actually about a musket that was notorious for the sound it made when it fired(bam-b-lam) and the way its shots(kids) went wildly off course... its a song from the civil war times, but it always seems like it's about a woman!
Pretty sure each verse is about something different. The first verse about the musket, the second verse about either a drug or a moonshine alcohol, and the third verse about an actual wpman.
This is one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion, from the lyrics to the drums to the guitar riffs, I had to watch twice to see your enjoyment and hear the song
Not enough people talk about the bass player just absolutely living his best life in this video. That dude was probably higher than an elephant's eye, and neck deep in poontang.
As a Boomer, yep, I'm 60 years young, I've been hearing this song since it was first released more than 40 years ago. I still turn people onto it as so many have never heard / seen it before. They always love it. Thanks Shaq!
My biology teacher in high school...like 1978,79...sang this in the hallway as he walked through...he was an old guy with great sense of humor and we all had a great time in his class
@@lilpoohbear653 Excellent, it's a classic from the era as guitarists in the Rock world were were really working to get more and better sound from their instruments. Ya have to remember that the "modern electronics" of the mid '70's were barely 5 years past Vacuum Tubes and not nearly advanced as where we are at now.
The roots of this song go way way back. Some say Lead Belly was the first. Others say he took it from folk songs. Just goes to show that good music is timeless
Southern girl born and raised and I grew up listening to music like this. A lot people think of Lynard Skynard when they hear this song lol. There are a lot of classic rock songs that everyone has heard but never realizes they know a song until they start to react to it.
This reaction was quite possibly my favorite one ever. 🤣🤣🤣 The constant level of hype from the first note when it started had me hyped up over here first thing in the morning!
I just love you to pieces, Shaq! As soon as you say "Well, well, well" I get the biggest smile. Pretty awesome for a 62 year old grandma! Your soul is beautiful! I've been here since the beginning!!
Gurl! I was about to say, “let me get my ole’ ass off this channel”! 😂 I actually remember this song. I was in elementary school. It brings back wonderful memories.
5:44 “I’m going to listen to this every day for the rest of my life” This was the very first record (vinyl 45) that 10 year old me ever bought. Way back in 77. And it’s still such a great song that everyone jams out to.
I was told that if Mountain Dew was a real human being, It'd be the lead singer of Ram Jam. This song is in many movies. Like anytime any general calamities are about to arise, this song starts playing.
There's actually a song called Mountain Dew, or Good Old Mountain Dew, depending on who covered it from 1928. Not quite a person, but it is a fun song.
"Black Betty" is a 20th-century African-American work song often credited to Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter as the author, though the earliest recordings are not by him. Some sources say it is one of Lead Belly's many adaptations of earlier folk material
Shaq, I so enjoy watching your reactions to our “old school” rock songs. I’ve been jamming on this since it was released. You always have so much fun. Please keep sharing and I’ll keep watching!!!
WOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOU. YOU WERE THE ORIGINAL REACTION CHANNEL I STARTED WATCHING. ALWAYS HAVE GREAT TUNES. GLAD I FOUND YOU AGAIN.{M.G}orig TORONTO, CANADA.
Sang this as a cadence when I was in the military during basic training. Had the coolest drill sergeant who would jam while marching with the whole platoon following suit. It was fun!! I believe Black Betty is named after a rifle used in the military and the child, she had was a remake of the rifle that had a lot of issues. That's why they said the child went damn wild. Could be wrong and I am sure someone will correct me if I am. lol
You are correct black Betty was a civil war Era confederate muscut, the child was second generation and wasn't well liked, not accurate "ie damn thing gone blind".
Thank whoever hit up Shaq to do a reaction to it..I never heard of this either...and I'm an old head..and I love it so thank u! Keep doing your thing on here #NLS always appreciate your reactions..peace!
This song = the most exciting time in my youth, speed skating on a rink lit like a disco, dodging on ice fights … Deeside, North Wales. Good times. Still makes my pulse race
Came for the title, loved the reaction! I grew up listening to this stuff so I'm spoiled, but your reaction is a priceless reminder of how awesome tunes like this really are! Thanks for the chuckles. ❤
This is the BEST reaction video I've seen to this song. I had so much fun watching this, I freaking laughed so hard I had to rewind it seeing you enjoy it so much. 🤣🤣🤣 No Life Shaq - you freaking rule!!
In Wikipedia it says (although it needs more verification) that Black Betty was considered a name of an object such as whiskey, a whip or a penitentiary transfer wagon. Although in this context, it seems it has a hidden meaning because this songs are remakes of the original by Lead Belly. On the lyrics of the song by Lead Belly, it states "Run A-Yonder Black Betty, bam-ba-lam, turn around Black Betty bam-ba-lam" amongst other lyrics within the song, which is telling you that the worker/slave is running while getting whipped. The remake of this version in the form of rock or metal by Soil or this one in particular they for sure talk about a bottle of whiskey from Alabama, because well it makes him "sing" or "high".
My GOD how did this one ever escape your perview!? I'm HERE for it brother! My neighbors listen to this song ALL the time with the volume maxed out. Whether they want to or not...
"The song was first recorded in the field by US musicologists John and Alan Lomax in December 1933, performed a cappella by the convict James “Iron Head” Baker and a group at Central State Farm, Sugar Land, Texas (a State prison farm). The Lomaxes were recording for the Library of Congress and later field recordings in 1934, 1936, and 1939 also include versions of “Black Betty”."
The song Black Betty is featured on the soundtrack from the movie "Gone in Sixty Seconds" (2000), the movie "Blow" (2001), the movie "Without a Paddle" (2004), the movie "The Dukes of Hazzard" (2005) and the movie "Miss Congeniality 2" (2005). As well as the above movies, Black Betty is also used in Super Troopers (2001), Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002), Basic (2003), Arthur and the Invisibles (2006), TMNT (2007), The Brave one (2007), The Condemned (2007), Cop Out (2010), The Losers (2010), Death Race 2 (2011).
@@spikebeans9563 ~ One of the several versions of the story is that "Black Betty" referred to a type of flintlock rifle used by the British army. It was painted black, and had a reputation for not shooting straight. Hence the lines "the damn thing gone wild" and "the damn thing went blind". But I don't think anyone knows the real story behind the lyrics, due to the songs age and folklore type status.
@@mhwebb8575 The original Black Betty referred to a whip used on slaves. Listen to the original from 1933 performed in a Texas prison. It has nothing to do with a shitty British rifle.
@@joemama9098 ~ So aggressive! Okay, in the first place, in response to a question about "Black Betty" being a gun I said _"One of the_ SEVERAL _versions of the story is that 'Black Betty' referred to a type of flintlock rifle..."_ I also _very clearly_ wrote _"But I don't think anyone knows the real story behind the lyrics..."_ Not _once_ did I say definitively that it was about a gun. There are many theories for what "Black Betty" is. As for the song, the _first_ recorded version was made in the field by US musicologists John and Alan Lomax in December 1933, while it was being sung _a cappella_ by the convict James "Iron Head" Baker and a group of prisoners at Central State Farm, a state prison farm in Sugar Land, Texas. At that time, and in that context, it was assumed that "Black Betty" referred to the prison guards whip. (Later, in 1939, the song was released professionally by Huddie William Ledbetter, aka "Lead Belly," whom many have credited with having written it. He didn't. He just recorded _his_ version of something that had been around much longer.) References to "Black Betty" were established historically from mid-1700 Scotland and England to the late 1800's, as both a strong, dark whisky and a drinking song popular in pubs. In January 1736, Benjamin Franklin published _"The Drinker's Dictionary"_ in the Pennsylvania Gazette offering 228 round-about phrases for being drunk. One of those phrases used is _"He's kiss'd Black Betty."_ Around the time of the American Revolution, a British flintlock rifle of that era _was_ indeed referred to as "Black Betty." The nickname "Black Betty" was also given to a number of other things, including (but not limited to) slaver's whips, prison guards' whips, prison wagons, flasks of whisky, and even traditional wedding games (involving aforementioned whisky) played in late 1800's Pennsylvania. In modern times, in addition to prison transports "Black Betty" was depicted as various vehicles, including motorcycles and hot rods. In other words, no one really knows what the _original_ meaning of "Black Betty" is. ( Well, except maybe for _you._ ) For the rest of us, the meaning is ambiguous, at best. Just another mystery lost to the distant past.
😂😂😂This song was released in 1977 and still Rocks today…This is how you know it’s a legendary Rock song… We’re still jamming to it today…👍 Even the young kids of the new generation are jammin it..
Legend has it, the producer gave Ram Jam a $500 budget to make the video, so they spent $450 of it on beer and weed and then recorded it in their back yard.
Woah! Really?
The comment I was looking for 😂 Didn't know if I was remembering correctly, so thank you
im not to sure it was beer they could have possibly bought only weed
And this was fifty years ago that 450 went a lot further
🤣🤣👏👍
"Black Betty" was a cadence sung by black confederate soldiers during the civil war. Black Betty was a rifle made in Birmingham, Alabama. The company that made the gun made an "improved model", hence "Black Betty had a child". They hated the new rifle because it didn't shoot straight. Hence, "damned thing gone wild". Ram Jam put music to the 160-year-old cadence.
Thank you so much tell the whole backstory for this song !
Source? Cause google shows absolutely nothing to back this claim up.
I just found out about 2 days ago that it wasn't Ram Jam that wrote the lyrics for this song. I did think that it was a song sung by black people at the turn of the 20th century.
William Ledbetter aka Lead Belly made what I believe is the first recording of this song. he said that he learned it in prison working on the chain gang. He recorded it in 1934 while he was in prison. Other songs he recorded that others covered, house of the rising sun, gallows pole, midnight special, and good night Irene. Ram jams take rocks
Nope - it was an African American work/laborer song.
Most people only got one genre they fw , but us true music lovers can see the different qualities in a song and appreciate just as much
That's facts, you don't appreciate music unless you diverse yourself.
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
i like all music
except country that shit ass😂
@@saxongeordie i'm sure noone understands you buddy.
This is when musicians actually played instruments. They know how to jam. LOVE this song.
Musicians still play instruments and there are plenty of older bands that experimented with technology and non-traditional means of producing music.
I am so tired of hearing about how music was better at some earlier point in time. There has always been and always will be, amazing musicians. Like there has always been and always will be, copycats, plagiarists, and just plain bad musicians.
@@NaptownClassic exactly. uncultured sad boys always wanna say "back in my day"
They also dont pause :/
Music was better when musicians had to learn instruments and actually sing in key that’s a fact
Best Father Son moment I ever had was in the car listening to my pops jam out “she really gets me high” as I jump in “you know that’s no lie” and him giving the nod of approval followed swiftly with both of us belting out a thunderous WOOOOAH BLACK BETTY. Such a small moment he’s probably forgotten by now but lemme tell ya, when he’s gone. Moments like that will echo in my forever days louder than ears could ever grasp.
I guarantee he hasn't forgot about it. You should bring it up I bet it makes him smile
@@paul-antonywhatshisface3954 you make a great point, maybe from his eyes it could be a cherished memory he fears I forgot. Either way I’m going to bring it up next time I see him. Life’s too short not to.
I used to rock this song in the car and my boy LOVED IT! We would jam all the time he’d call it the bam bam lama song. I used to call the radio station and request it for him on his birthday and the DJ would always play it for him and wish him happy birthday on the radio. He thought he was famous!😂. Best memories singing this with him. It would be a hoot to play as mom/son dance at his wedding, I’m not sure people would get it though 😂😂😂
@@TheBettaBetbetter yet next time y’all are in the car play it and see if he remembers and jumps in at the same place😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Music is strong and will always provoke memories!
Yeah he'll never forget that either, i promise 👌👍
YO THATS SICK, my elementary school music teacher was one of the guitarists for this band, he's the one in the brown shirt, his name is Jimmy Santoro, great guy!
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
sick
Small world 👍🏻huh!
Man that's dope!
Way to shout out his name. Badass.
I like how Shaq is finally starting to see old classics like Black Betty
What ever happened to Metalhead Shaq
@Yulds2xI subbed, definitely check it out!
He should check out Hocus Pocus by Focus. That’s a ride for sure haha.
Again
he used to do a classic like once a week
Grew up in rural Ireland and was a young teen in the early 90's. Believe me when I say when this was played EVERYBODY went wild. Great memories
As a proud black man who grew up listening to music like this, I can't tell you how much I love your videos.
👌
As a white man , I agree my brother from another mother. 🙏🇺🇸🦅🙏
White lady joining the fam! My mama was a hippie. This song was just part of the daily music selection. 😊
Have you heard the original tho?!?!!!??
#BlackBetty
#JMFB ⚓
I'm coventry England love it don't know what color I am just love it
I'm 57. This song is from my time. I loved it then, I love it now. Your reaction to it was priceless. ❤
Me too, I love it
61 here. We sang it on the school bus.😅
I'm 70 and this came out when I was in college. Those were the days.
I’m 66 and this came out when I was 19 and dealing weed in 1977. The $400 they supposedly spent on weed would have bought a shit ton since good weed was $20 an ounce back then 😂😂
Me too ... wait till ya drunk and hear this .. best song to sing easy to remember words and powerful ...
I’m a classic rock guy, I listened to this with my newborn son and now he hits his drum set to the beat at 20 months old. The repetition in this song is great! Complete with a drum solo. Fantastic song.
Black folks reacting to rock/metal is my favorite thing on the internet. It's so wholesome. ❤❤
Mine too ❤
I second that. I love watching it too!💙
@@denisesheffield1809 Mine too! It completes the circle. Rock came from R&B and now they found it. So glad they are enjoying it!
A full circle, really. They created it.
Closest thing to a time machine so I get to listen to a song again for the first time
My face hurts from your pure joy and hilariously happy review. I love watching people discover and enjoy music I already know and love. Bless you and your appreciation.
Me too! It warms my Gen. X heart 🖤😆
Me too! It warms my 79 yr old heart.
Millenial here: I'll never understand the occasional "hate" you'll see when someone lets you know that they just discovered something awesome that you've known about for a long time.
Negative people will be like "Ummm, that's very old. How do you NOT know about it?"
But positive people can only ever find joy in it! 😊❤️
Music brings us together. We have more in common than we know. It’s healing. Love that you like it. It’s a great fun song. The 70’s were the best. No one cared about politics then.
I absolutely love Shaq’s sincere appreciation for so many different genres/songs/time periods in music. Makes this channel the best reaction channel by miles.
Gotta respect a guy who's open to different sounds
He has to act like that to keep his sheep like you subscribed to his channel so he gets paid!
@@gazman6536 thanks for simply just letting people enjoy positive energy, who hurt you 😂
Hahaha true indeed. He’s definitely the greatest negging black sheep and genius behind a keyboard… like there aren’t a million of trolls just like him already. And in typical troll fashion he won’t be able to help himself from responding.
music is one of the few things in life that no matter your heritage or beliefs can very universal to all groups. an awesome way for everyone to have some cultural expansion and learn new sounds and thoughts you never knew or appreciated. Shout out to Shaq for being an open minded individual and experience new things in life that used to be out of his normal comfort zone. Shaq urock man. much love
This is one of those songs you don't listen to when you're driving unless you want a speeding ticket, that intro riff alone gives 100hp boost even if you drive a shitbox.
So true lol
Yup true!❤
Best use of this song was in the Johnny Depp film “Blow” when strutting down the airport terminal with Pablo’s coke money, in which the bass drum beat is then accompanied by Latin congas, as his character lands in Medellin. Shear brilliance!
💯 % facts
That strut! 🥵
Depp had the swagger!!!
Man... Depp could make a nun regret her choices. 😮
Absolutely!
That guitar sounds so damn good it gives you the good kind of chills
His tone was solid
It's the rhythm that makes it.
To me it's one of the quintessential southern guitar riffs
Reminds me of church, when you just gotta get off your feet and out yo seat!
‘IF YOU DONT GET HYPE AFTER YOU HEAR THAT, YOU JUST A BAD PERSON’ 😂😂😂 big facts bro lmao
Everytime this song comes up on the playlist and we're driving down south....we wind up doing 100 mph down the highway!
SOOOOOO true😂
...I am 64 and we were partying to this song about 44 years back and I have a mixed music in my car and this song is on it , so still listening to it...there are soooo many old partying & dancing songs you youngins have yet to hear...glad to see you are checking out because there is some awesome music from years ago...
can you recommend another similar to black betty please?
yes please
@@willparker7763 just find a 70s and 80s classic rock playlists! There’s some good ones on Spotify.
@@willparker7763 well Will there is no song exactly similar, but I will give you some music that I listened to then and listen to now...I have no idea if they have videos as that wasn't around in my day ..." there's good rockin tonight' by Montrose, " bang a gong" by T-Rex, " keep your hands to yourself" by Georgia Satellites, " flirtin' with disaster" by Molly Hatchet, " smoke on the water" by Deep Purple, " raz - ama-naz" & " hair of the dog" by Nazareth, " I hear you knockin" by Dave Edmunds, " fire down below" by Bob Segar, " LaGrange" by ZZ Top, " pride & joy" by Stevie Ray Vaugn , " another one bites the dust " by Queen and of course " thunderstruck" & " back in black" by ACDC....these are some of the songs we like to party to...if I can think of others I will let you know....
@@vladimirpetrusev3480 ..hey Vlad please check out a few songs that I put on Will Parkers reply...like I said I do not know if they have videos because that was not around so much, but these are songs I still listen to..
This guy’s sincere and excited reactions to everything is so much fun to watch. It’s nice to still see people hearing these legendary rock songs for the first time and all still having the same reactions as when the song was first released.
Love it! This song actually goes back to the 1930's. Blues singer Lead Belly recorded it in 1939 and I think there were a couple of recordings prior to that.
Truth. Some believe Lead Belly's version was an adaptation of an a cappella song attributed to convict James “Iron Head” Baker and a group of prisoners at Central State Farm, in Sugar Land, Texas back in 1933. Wouldn't surprise me if it was sung and handed down through generations long before that... like so many other famous blues songs.
it is said that its actually about a gun he owned. it couldn't shoot straight (the damn thing went wild) but it always helped him out. the child was the bullet.
You are correct sweet thang.
Both are great.
ua-cam.com/video/tiCEVl_9-MM/v-deo.html
@@itstheotherwhitemeatit's a double entendre...it is about a gun and a chick...
The fun part is that "Black Betty" was a song originally recorded by Leadbelly in the early 1900s. And before that it was a folk song that was influenced heavily by slave working songs and later by the bluegrass/blues movement, then later rock'n'roll until finally, RamJam gave us this amazing version.
I love this comment. In the pines by nirvana is another lead belly song. As is Led Zeppelin gallows pole
@@matthewbechtel9024 and 'in the pines' was more recently done by Kid Cudi under the name 'where did you sleep last night?'
Your right on 😊
Love Leadbelly!
Your absolutely correct
It’s basically next to impossible to not like Ram Jam Black Betty. ❤
Man, that beat was killer...I was chair dancing!!!
I can't see an ambulance without singing, ' Whoa Black Betty, Bambulance!' 😂 Great song!!!
Facts. I've never heard of anyone that doesn't love this song.
💯💯💯
YUP, color be DAMNED, wicked GOOOOD!! just CANT STANDS Still NOR SIT STILL. rolling stones ain't got shit on these dudes. (Brown sugar)
I was a teenager when "Black Betty" by Ram Jam came out. This song was so popular and was #1 back in the 70's. I'm so happy to watch this generation enjoying the music my generation grew up on. lol
That's what I tell my kids when they herald the classics of all genre..I tell them, imagine how we, as teenagers, felt when these gems were played every day on the radio
@@barrykendrick133 When I was growing up, they were playing Johnny Mathis 24/7 on some stations.
I have the 45 (record) of it.
Teen here at that time
That's one thing I love about being a teenager now, i can listen to all eras of music thanks to the internet.
This was originally done by Leadbelly back in the 20's and 30's. It was a very different style but Ram Jam really did it justice. Love this jam. Great reaction too!
Ya they kinda made the song legendary lol
Yup and ran jam made virtually no money turning a mediocre forgotten song into a masterpiece because of copyright laws 😭
What? Lead Belly did this? Wow!
@@loganshabel6458Mediocre? It was early days. Popular music was just developing. Lead Belly was one of the pioneers! Respect due!
@@mandyharewood886 House of the Rising Sun by The Animals Gallows Pole By Led Zeppelin Hangman Jury by Aerosmith also all leadbelly originals
Man i am 64 as of tomorrow,and I remember this song well. The 70's was one of the best. I don't care what race they was they all could Jam.
I've always felt out of place and time. I'm convinced I was born during the wrong decade. I may have had a past life wherein I was growing up in the 60's & 70's, but my heart and my consciousness are surely activated during the wrong decade. I envy you and folks your age. I really do. You had the privilege of maturing just before the overlords squashed what it means to be human, having a human experience. It's just not the same, I feel and understand that implicitly in my bones.
64 too, we were blessed to grow up in the 60’s and 70’s. The best!
Your reaction is priceless. I've known this song for years and it's been covered by many bands, but it's great to see someone new to it enjoy it so much
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
so true
All the other reactors did this song two years ago 🤷🏼♂️
I babysat a few kids a few years ago. This song is on my playlist and it happened to come up while driving somewhere. They absolutely loved it and requested i play it over and over every time we were in the car. Their reaction to it playing was the same as this man every time they heard it! Music is the voice that doesn't discriminate!
They called the bottles black betty cause it replaced their wives.It's about a bottle of black label whisky. Not a woman
This a BANGER, also one of the first music videos ever made before MTV. You're onto some good stuff, we didn't have hip-hop back then but these bands had BARS.
The cost of the video was whatever a bag of weed and a couple of cases of beer cost.
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This may be one of my favorite videos ever. The bassist steals the show for me.
what do you mean first music videos ever made before mtv? there are many many many videos made before mtv began in 1981
@@reliczslayz Fair enough
As a 73 year old woman it bought back so many memories 😊
dancing in the old time out in the woods clubs
From a 63 yr old whitewoman, your reaction was priceless. I laughed at you so much I was crying. It was a good tune back in the day. Thanks for making my night.
Immortality in two minutes thirty five seconds.
@@tonyhaynes9080 I got you beat baby lol. I'm a 68 year old white woman and I love this guy lol. Isn't it awesome to see your youth discovering our music?
I am 75 yr old white lady and love these reactions from the young ppl!
I'm not gonna be used to age 60+ people having been rock fans for a long time lol
I'm a 167 year old white and I
This song is actually a cover by Ram Jam. They remade it from an old Blues player named Leadbelly in the 1930’s. Actually if memory serves me correctly, the song itself even predates that being an old folk song. This was a good selection, and an awesome reaction.
Now, I do have a suggestion that I think you would love. A song called “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer” by George Thorogood & the Destroyers. That’s a fun one!
Dude, One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One beer is awesome. Shaq has to react to that. We gotta get this up
Love George throgood and the delaware destroyers great group
The lead singer of Ram jam did write the two last verses I believe.
I'm 60 now, and it's wild watching you tripping out on songs that I grew up with... 😅😂
37 indian man. Cant say grew up on but deffo heard more of. And exactly the same.
dudes energy transcends what most call race
Cap gramps
I’m 53 love this tune!!!
64 here, just wanted to go down memory lane today.
I'm 66 and boy the yard seen brings back memories..I love it 😄🤣..loved the summer yard parties and the hog roast was amazing...I love that song always did..and it's really amazing play with real instruments😮😊 and out side with awesome family and friends.kids these days are missing out on so much..
This song kicks butt. When it was released, I went nuts over it. This proves how "The Blues" influenced Rock and Roll. Lead Belly was a genius and introduced this song to us
Actually, James "IronHead" Baker created the song in '33.
Check it out. It's pretty cool!
Ledbelly was a god
Larkin Poe also does a good cover of this.
The song is a british military cadence from the 1700s....
Black Betty is a musket
@@jimbob465 Bullshit it has nothing to do with British Military. The song was done in 1933 in a Texas prison. It refers to the whips they used on slaves, which were called Black Betty.
My Dad would blast music all night after i went to bed. He was a rock n roll Dude and this one was one of my favourites! My lullabies were the great rock bands of the 70s. LOL
I loved this. First time I ever heard this I died laughing. In HS I had a black girlfriend, Louise. We cracked up over this. When we was with our friends. I'd tell Louise " You get me high" she'd automatically say say " Thats no lie" Thanks for that memory.
Gotta love how he appreciates all music and gets into it. Great dude and great taste in music
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
I love when the younger generations love the music we grew up with! This song actually goes back to the 1930's. Brings back Lots of memories 😊
Actually goes back to the 1860’s lol the American Civil War
@@cheebee9684 I read that Black Betty is supposed to be a cannon.
In Wikipedia it says (although it needs more verification) that Black Betty was considered a name of an object such as whiskey, a whip or a penitentiary transfer wagon.
Although in this context, it seems it has a hidden meaning because this songs are remakes of the original by Lead Belly. On the lyrics of the song by Lead Belly, it states "Run A-Yonder Black Betty, bam-ba-lam, turn around Black Betty bam-ba-lam" amongst other lyrics within the song, which is telling you that the worker/slave is running while getting whipped. The remake of this version in the form of rock or metal by Soil or this one in particular they for sure talk about a bottle of whiskey from Alabama, because well it makes him "sing" or "high".
I grew up on all the oldies. I'm just 32. I sang em all day long and my kids think I'm silly knowing the lyrics to everyone of em. CCR, Metallica, ZZ top, Areosmith, Warrant, Chicago,Journey, Cinderella, Boston, Eagles, and that's just the start lol 😊
That is the greatest reaction I've ever seen bro,I've heard it a hundred times and it still gets the blood flowing
I am a Londoner middle aged woman and I remember being at great parties where everyone dancing and singing the words together
Getting goosebumps remembering it
Same!!! 😂😂. Xx. Wizzing round in the back of me dads old Skoda!! 😂😂 ❤️🏴🙏🏻🙏🏻
Black Betty was from the 1930's. No one could be credited for writing it, but Lead Belly made it famous. Black Betty was a working song and was a reference to whiskey.
This song is always brought out by Wedding DJs in Ireland around 3am, when people get their second wind and they need to fill the dance floor.😊
Wow...that's cool.
Weddings in Ireland last til 3am!!? 😮 I’m a wedding DJ in the states we wrap up by 11 😅
@@Edgewoodskateboardsthe band usually finishes up around 10 or 11, the DJ starts after that.
@birdsof28north we need a few hours sleep , more shenanigans follow from breakfast next morning lol
☘️💚🇨🇮
The song you never knew you needed in your life until the first time you hear it
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Hi Jennifer. 💕
@@dianegoldeneye7363 hey beautiful! ❤️
You got that shit right Betty
Your reaction is priceless, and makes me smile! I've always loved this song!
I'm so glad you did this song. This was one of my dad's favorite songs. He passed away back in May and he loved watching your videos. Thanks #nolifeshaq! This one's for you pops! 💗
R.I.P 💛👼🏼
So sorry.
Love! 💜🥺
@@hechattin thank you
@@216marketing9 thank you
One of the best guitar riffs ever, so damn catchy
Driving while jamming to this song is a precursor to a speeding ticket 😉
Skiing while jamming to this song is a precursor to wrap yourself around a tree
@Connor Siegel
Yeah, that too!
every time!
Lol
Indeed.
Man, seeing people reacting to songs that makes up the soundtrack of your life really makes you rediscover their greatness!
This is an old song, originally from the 1920s, first recorded by Lead Belly in 1939.
It was a cover when "Leadbelly" did it. Made famous by James "Ironhead" Baker in 1933. It was, at the time, a prison, chain gang "work song'. Both Leadbelly and Ironhead were convicted MURDERERS that achieved some measure of success and fame after parole. The song itself had origins back, at least, to the early 1700's, as a drinking song in the English pubs and ale houses. It was brought here by the English soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Needless to say, the lyrics have changed quit a bit, over the years.
ua-cam.com/video/SJUSGuNxt-4/v-deo.html Lead belly
@@wesalker3479 What great info. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for this. I was wondering.
Bluesman imprisoned in Huntsville, TX
Ram Jam got this song from Leadbelly who recorded it in 1939. Leadbelly originally recorded a lot of traditional folk songs that had not been recorded before. A lot of artists have covered or re-worked Leadbelly songs. A list of a few artist: CCR, Nirvana, the Weavers, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and the list goes on.
Yeah, Nirvana covered Leadbelly
@@stewarttomkinson3356 Leadbelly's life story is interesting too!
Leadbelly's original is nothing like this song.
@@juliusfucik4011 yeah I went to UA-cam and look up the Leadbelly one and they got a picture of him but they got him Singing and it is nothing like it
@@juliusfucik4011 It's a little bit like it!😆
It is actually a remake of blues legend Leadbelly’s original acoustic version WAY back in the day, maybe 30’s or 40’s! Love your reaction to this. My guitar teacher from Hamilton, Ohio Mehas Music Store Dave Goldflies played bass on this song but there was some kind of change in the band line up after the record dropped and he isn’t in the vid. He then later went on to play bass for Dickie Betts & Great Southern and then for the Allman Bros. for a few years in the early 80’s after the drug bust fiasco but was replaced after the original guys made peace and regrouped! He has a small UA-cam channel and plays in an Allman Bros tribute band, last I heard.
Might be even older than that in various forms.
@telegranolifeshaq0003 shut up
Think again... ua-cam.com/video/tiCEVl_9-MM/v-deo.html
Leadbelly did “where did you sleep last night” that nirvana made famous again
And it was passed down to Leadbelly. "Black Betty" originated with the British Army singing about their Black Betty muskets, back in the 1700's. Folk singers, gandy dancers and bluesman sang it, passing it down and making it their own, adding or changing lyrics and arrangements along the way.
Great to see music from my youth being appreciated as much as i did
70s music/rock was the best
Best one hit wonder ever! What a killer song! I've always loved this!
If you look into it, this song is actually about a musket that was notorious for the sound it made when it fired(bam-b-lam) and the way its shots(kids) went wildly off course... its a song from the civil war times, but it always seems like it's about a woman!
Black Betty might also refer to Whiskey.
@@mutteringcrone1210 or the drug
Older than that. This song originated as a revolutionary war cadence...about a musket.
Pretty sure each verse is about something different. The first verse about the musket, the second verse about either a drug or a moonshine alcohol, and the third verse about an actual wpman.
Uhhhh, the gun had a child, for which the author felt a need to deny paternity? 🤣
This is one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion, from the lyrics to the drums to the guitar riffs, I had to watch twice to see your enjoyment and hear the song
This is one of the best reactions of this older song in a minute for real!! Fun watching this and excellent video!! Thank You!!
Not enough people talk about the bass player just absolutely living his best life in this video. That dude was probably higher than an elephant's eye, and neck deep in poontang.
I would suggest, that in 1977, these were both results and prerequisites for being in a rock band.
Lmao
Poontang, wow that's an oldie in itself 😂
You wish ..txs for the ugly slang, stupid Chuzzlewit..
@@williamccublerjr1335maybe funny to a stupid guy mm
As a Boomer, yep, I'm 60 years young, I've been hearing this song since it was first released more than 40 years ago. I still turn people onto it as so many have never heard / seen it before. They always love it. Thanks Shaq!
My biology teacher in high school...like 1978,79...sang this in the hallway as he walked through...he was an old guy with great sense of humor and we all had a great time in his class
@@lilpoohbear653 Excellent, it's a classic from the era as guitarists in the Rock world were were really working to get more and better sound from their instruments. Ya have to remember that the "modern electronics" of the mid '70's were barely 5 years past Vacuum Tubes and not nearly advanced as where we are at now.
You know it!!
@@susanmurray7654 Good tunes live on forever!
Check out the Band "Larkin Poe" covering it.
Perfect example of one hit is all it takes. They disappeared after this but this one hit will last for ever as a piece of genius 👍🏻
This song has an evil groove, you can't get it out of your head. Amazing after all these years.
So cool to see the younger generation introduced to the classics.
This version is from 1977. We rocked back then. It was first done in 1933 in a Texas prison. I love seeing you discover music. Great work!!!
They don’t make music like this anymore! This is a jam for sure🖤
Well, the 80s are starting to make a comeback at full speed... So, its possible for this kind of music to come back.
They really don't make music like this any more.
It's really a shame, it's all stupid lyrics about dumb stuff and autotune.
They do, you're just looking in the wrong place. All eras have their great and their awful music
The roots of this song go way way back. Some say Lead Belly was the first. Others say he took it from folk songs. Just goes to show that good music is timeless
Southern girl born and raised and I grew up listening to music like this. A lot people think of Lynard Skynard when they hear this song lol. There are a lot of classic rock songs that everyone has heard but never realizes they know a song until they start to react to it.
This song is one that gets programmed into human memory at birth, you don’t even have to hear it. You just know it
Same here girl! I’m still waiting for someone to react to Mother’s Finest.
This reaction was quite possibly my favorite one ever. 🤣🤣🤣 The constant level of hype from the first note when it started had me hyped up over here first thing in the morning!
This reaction is great; but for me the reaction to Rush’s “ The Spirit of Radio” is this fine gentleman’s best ever!!!
@@chuckhutton5087 I’m going to check that one out then.
@@christinapurdion84 Please do! It’s hysterical, especially if you like Rush.
Fakest one ever you mean
It does not matter if you have heard it before or not the lyrics are now stuck in you mind forever! “ ole black Betty bambalam “
I sing it in my head all the time and rhyme random stuff with it 😅
This song just makes EVERYONE happy! : )
If you have wondered what the 1970s were like - this is it!
ya got that lol. spontaneously back yard BBQ' and jammin!
Amen to that!
I've heard the stories from my father
Loved living in the 70's! Best time ever!
when i can remember , this is , my teen years.
This has always been one of my favorite songs, really embodies what rock and roll used to be
What it still is! Look up bands like The Holly Rogers and Grits&Greens. Rock n roll is about to make a big comeback
I just love you to pieces, Shaq! As soon as you say "Well, well, well" I get the biggest smile. Pretty awesome for a 62 year old grandma! Your soul is beautiful! I've been here since the beginning!!
Gurl! I was about to say, “let me get my ole’ ass off this channel”! 😂
I actually remember this song. I was in elementary school. It brings back wonderful memories.
5:44 “I’m going to listen to this every day for the rest of my life”
This was the very first record (vinyl 45) that 10 year old me ever bought. Way back in 77.
And it’s still such a great song that everyone jams out to.
Wasn’t expecting this sound from these men but this song slaps!
"song slaps" I like that!!
I was told that if Mountain Dew was a real human being, It'd be the lead singer of Ram Jam.
This song is in many movies. Like anytime any general calamities are about to arise, this song starts playing.
There's actually a song called Mountain Dew, or Good Old Mountain Dew, depending on who covered it from 1928. Not quite a person, but it is a fun song.
You should definitely react to way more old songs because some of them are absolute CLASSICS
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
He used to do it pretty regularly. Some of his most popular videos are Metalhead Shaq
Yeah he used to. I miss those days tbh.
your reaction is priceless. I grew up with this band, so freaken good. Glad you got to see and hear it.
This song was first recorded by James "Iron Head" Baker in 1933. Lead Belly was credited with popularizing it!
"Black Betty" is a 20th-century African-American work song often credited to Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter as the author, though the earliest recordings are not by him. Some sources say it is one of Lead Belly's many adaptations of earlier folk material
Thank you for paying homage to this classic! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Best reaction I've seen to this song from my generation of awesome music!
black betty is a pretty simplistic song but it shows how simple songs were in the 70's and they easily became huge hits over night.
Pink Floyd,Led Leppelin,Black Sabbath David Bowie simple? This was simple agreed.
@@PUNKinDRUBLIC72 i ment like there is alot of songs from the 70's that berly has any lyrics.
One hit wonder though.
Less is more
Mostly complicated trash these days
@@Mark_87 I disagree, but I do agree that a lot of the worse modern music is what you hear on charts - the best stuff often doesn't reach the charts
Shaq, I so enjoy watching your reactions to our “old school” rock songs. I’ve been jamming on this since it was released. You always have so much fun. Please keep sharing and I’ll keep watching!!!
This will always be a certified banger 🔥🔥🔥
Facts
Always!!!
WOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOU. YOU WERE THE ORIGINAL REACTION CHANNEL I STARTED WATCHING. ALWAYS HAVE GREAT TUNES. GLAD I FOUND YOU AGAIN.{M.G}orig TORONTO, CANADA.
Sang this as a cadence when I was in the military during basic training. Had the coolest drill sergeant who would jam while marching with the whole platoon following suit. It was fun!! I believe Black Betty is named after a rifle used in the military and the child, she had was a remake of the rifle that had a lot of issues. That's why they said the child went damn wild. Could be wrong and I am sure someone will correct me if I am. lol
You are correct black Betty was a civil war Era confederate muscut, the child was second generation and wasn't well liked, not accurate "ie damn thing gone blind".
True!
Search for a web page with this title "Whoa-oh - Who Was Black Betty?" - it will help answer.
Not a rifle. It was an African American work/labor song.
Is there a legit source for the “rifle” story?
Love this reaction! "if you don't feel this, you're just a bad person" made me laugh out loud!!
"I can't deal with Black Betty and her kids" was what did me in...
Thank whoever hit up Shaq to do a reaction to it..I never heard of this either...and I'm an old head..and I love it so thank u! Keep doing your thing on here #NLS always appreciate your reactions..peace!
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
Hahahaha, I love your reaction, made me laugh my sweet arse off. Greetings from Germany. ;)
This song = the most exciting time in my youth, speed skating on a rink lit like a disco, dodging on ice fights … Deeside, North Wales. Good times. Still makes my pulse race
Came for the title, loved the reaction! I grew up listening to this stuff so I'm spoiled, but your reaction is a priceless reminder of how awesome tunes like this really are! Thanks for the chuckles. ❤
This is the BEST reaction video I've seen to this song. I had so much fun watching this, I freaking laughed so hard I had to rewind it seeing you enjoy it so much. 🤣🤣🤣 No Life Shaq - you freaking rule!!
In Wikipedia it says (although it needs more verification) that Black Betty was considered a name of an object such as whiskey, a whip or a penitentiary transfer wagon.
Although in this context, it seems it has a hidden meaning because this songs are remakes of the original by Lead Belly. On the lyrics of the song by Lead Belly, it states "Run A-Yonder Black Betty, bam-ba-lam, turn around Black Betty bam-ba-lam" amongst other lyrics within the song, which is telling you that the worker/slave is running while getting whipped. The remake of this version in the form of rock or metal by Soil or this one in particular they for sure talk about a bottle of whiskey from Alabama, because well it makes him "sing" or "high".
All wrong
My GOD how did this one ever escape your perview!? I'm HERE for it brother! My neighbors listen to this song ALL the time with the volume maxed out. Whether they want to or not...
@Yulds2x I will check out your channel👍
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This song brings back memories from a trip with my pops when I was in 5th grade riding thru the Carolina mountains listening to this 🔥🔥
yoo would appreciate if you check out my stuff!!
"The song was first recorded in the field by US musicologists John and Alan Lomax in December 1933, performed a cappella by the convict James “Iron Head” Baker and a group at Central State Farm, Sugar Land, Texas (a State prison farm). The Lomaxes were recording for the Library of Congress and later field recordings in 1934, 1936, and 1939 also include versions of “Black Betty”."
The song is about a gun.
Whoever it was, Ram Jam got it ROCKING !!
The song Black Betty is featured on the soundtrack from the movie "Gone in Sixty Seconds" (2000), the movie "Blow" (2001), the movie "Without a Paddle" (2004), the movie "The Dukes of Hazzard" (2005) and the movie "Miss Congeniality 2" (2005).
As well as the above movies, Black Betty is also used in Super Troopers (2001), Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002), Basic (2003), Arthur and the Invisibles (2006), TMNT (2007), The Brave one (2007), The Condemned (2007), Cop Out (2010), The Losers (2010), Death Race 2 (2011).
Good info. And wasn't Black Betty a type of gun?
@@spikebeans9563 ~ One of the several versions of the story is that "Black Betty" referred to a type of flintlock rifle used by the British army. It was painted black, and had a reputation for not shooting straight. Hence the lines "the damn thing gone wild" and "the damn thing went blind". But I don't think anyone knows the real story behind the lyrics, due to the songs age and folklore type status.
Hope they still own the rights because they get paid good money to use songs.
@@mhwebb8575 The original Black Betty referred to a whip used on slaves. Listen to the original from 1933 performed in a Texas prison. It has nothing to do with a shitty British rifle.
@@joemama9098 ~ So aggressive! Okay, in the first place, in response to a question about "Black Betty" being a gun I said _"One of the_ SEVERAL _versions of the story is that 'Black Betty' referred to a type of flintlock rifle..."_ I also _very clearly_ wrote _"But I don't think anyone knows the real story behind the lyrics..."_ Not _once_ did I say definitively that it was about a gun.
There are many theories for what "Black Betty" is. As for the song, the _first_ recorded version was made in the field by US musicologists John and Alan Lomax in December 1933, while it was being sung _a cappella_ by the convict James "Iron Head" Baker and a group of prisoners at Central State Farm, a state prison farm in Sugar Land, Texas. At that time, and in that context, it was assumed that "Black Betty" referred to the prison guards whip. (Later, in 1939, the song was released professionally by Huddie William Ledbetter, aka "Lead Belly," whom many have credited with having written it. He didn't. He just recorded _his_ version of something that had been around much longer.)
References to "Black Betty" were established historically from mid-1700 Scotland and England to the late 1800's, as both a strong, dark whisky and a drinking song popular in pubs. In January 1736, Benjamin Franklin published _"The Drinker's Dictionary"_ in the Pennsylvania Gazette offering 228 round-about phrases for being drunk. One of those phrases used is _"He's kiss'd Black Betty."_
Around the time of the American Revolution, a British flintlock rifle of that era _was_ indeed referred to as "Black Betty." The nickname "Black Betty" was also given to a number of other things, including (but not limited to) slaver's whips, prison guards' whips, prison wagons, flasks of whisky, and even traditional wedding games (involving aforementioned whisky) played in late 1800's Pennsylvania. In modern times, in addition to prison transports "Black Betty" was depicted as various vehicles, including motorcycles and hot rods.
In other words, no one really knows what the _original_ meaning of "Black Betty" is. ( Well, except maybe for _you._ ) For the rest of us, the meaning is ambiguous, at best. Just another mystery lost to the distant past.
Been jamming to this for 45 years now. Classic! Welcome to when music was actual music.
😂😂😂This song was released in 1977 and still Rocks today…This is how you know it’s a legendary Rock song… We’re still jamming to it today…👍 Even the young kids of the new generation are jammin it..
Your pure joy is infectious!! 💕
Made me reappreciate a song I've heard a thousand times!