Black Betty by Spiderbait: A Rocking Cover of a Work Song
If you are a fan of rock music, you have probably heard the song "Black Betty" by Spiderbait, an Australian alternative rock band. This song is a cover version of a classic rock song by Ram Jam, which was originally a 20th-century African-American work song. In this article, I will provide you with some information and trivia about this song, as well as a link to download it.
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What is the origin and meaning of "Black Betty"?
The origin and meaning of the lyrics of "Black Betty" are subject to debate. Historically, the "Black Betty" of the title may refer to the nickname given to a number of objects: a bottle of whiskey, a whip, or a penitentiary transfer wagon. Some sources claim it is one of Lead Belly's many adaptations of earlier folk material.
The earliest recordings of "Black Betty"
The first known recording of this song, circa 1933, is attributed to an artist by the name of James Iron Head Baker. He was one of the many prisoners who sang work songs to pass the time while working. A researcher who interviewed Iron Head stated that Black Betty is rather a whip which prison officials used to punish prisoners. Another early recording was made by folk singer Lead Belly in 1939. He recorded a lot of songs that otherwise might have been lost, including "Goodnight Irene" and "Midnight Special". Lead Belly's version is a cappella and commonly sung by laborers.
The possible interpretations of "Black Betty"
There are numerous recorded versions, including a cappella and folk. The song was eventually, with modified lyrics, remade as a rock song by the American band Ram Jam in 1977. Subsequent recordings, including hits by Tom Jones and Spiderbait, retain the structure of this version.
Some sources claim that "Black Betty" could have been used to describe a musket, a liquor bottle, or a penitentiary transfer wagon. Historians believe that it was a work song for slaves in the American cotton fields. Musicologists and folklorists described the origins of "Black Betty" in 1934, providing another version that it was the whip used in some prisons in the South. The phrase "bam-ba-lam" in the lyrics is said to be intended to imitate the sound of gunfire. Some sources suggest that "Black Betty" was a common term for a bottle of whiskey in the borderlands between northern England and southern Scotland.
The popularization of "Black Betty" by Ram Jam
Ram Jam's recording of the song Black Betty, is one example out of hundreds of modern rock acts turning old blues songs and riffs into classic rock signature songs. The earliest recordings of the song Black Betty, are acapella versions. Ram Jam's version is a hard rock arrangement with electric guitars and drums. It was released as a single in June 1977 and reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song was controversial for its lyrics, which some listeners interpreted as racist or sexist. However, the band defended their version as a tribute to the original work song. How did Spiderbait remake "Black Betty"?
Spiderbait is an Australian alternative rock band that formed in 1991. They are known for their eclectic musical style, blending elements of rock, pop, punk, metal, and electronic music. They have released seven studio albums and have won several awards, including two ARIA Music Awards.
The background and motivation of Spiderbait
The band members of Spiderbait are Janet English (bass, vocals), Mark Maher (drums, vocals), and Damian Whitty (guitar). They met in high school and started playing music together. They chose the name Spiderbait as a joke, because they thought it sounded like a heavy metal band name.
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Spiderbait decided to cover "Black Betty" after hearing it on the radio. They were fans of Ram Jam's version and wanted to give it their own twist. They recorded it in 2004 for their sixth album, Tonight Alright. They said they had fun making the song and did not intend to offend anyone with it.
The style and reception of Spiderbait's version
Spiderbait's version of "Black Betty" is a fast-paced rock song with distorted guitars, pounding drums, and energetic vocals. It features a banjo solo by John Butler, a famous Australian musician and friend of the band. It also includes some changes in the lyrics, such as replacing "bam-ba-lam" with "bam-ba-lam-a-lam".
The song was released as a single in March 2004 and became a huge hit in Australia. It reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and stayed there for three weeks. It also reached number four on the New Zealand Singles Chart. It was certified platinum by ARIA and won the Best Rock Video award at the 2004 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
The use of Spiderbait's version in media and culture
Spiderbait's version of "Black Betty" has been used in various media and cultural contexts. It has been featured in several movies, such as Without a Paddle (2004), Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), and The Condemned (2007). It has also been used in video games, such as Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004), Gran Turismo 4 (2004), Guitar Hero: On Tour (2008), and Rock Band 4 (2015).
The song has also become associated with sports, especially Australian rules football. It has been used as the theme song for several teams, such as the Sydney Swans, the West Coast Eagles, and the Adelaide Crows. It has also been played at various sporting events, such as the AFL Grand Final, the NRL Grand Final, and the Australian Open.
How to download "Black Betty" by Spiderbait?
If you want to download "Black Betty" by Spiderbait, you need to consider some legal and ethical issues first. Downloading music without paying for it or without the permission of the artists is illegal and can result in fines or lawsuits. It can also harm the music industry and deprive the artists of their income and recognition.
The legal and ethical issues of downloading music
Downloading music from unauthorized sources is considered piracy, which is a form of theft. Piracy violates the intellectual property rights of the artists and the record labels who own the music. It also reduces the sales and revenue of the music industry, which affects not only the artists but also the producers, engineers, managers, promoters, and others who work in the industry.
Piracy also affects the quality and diversity of music. When artists do not get paid for their work, they may lose motivation or resources to create new music. They may also have to compromise their artistic vision or integrity to appeal to a wider audience or to secure a contract with a record label. Piracy can also limit the exposure and opportunities for new or independent artists who rely on online platforms to distribute their music.
The best sources and platforms to download some more information or trivia about "Black Betty" by Spiderbait, you can check out the following FAQs. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy listening!
FAQs
Q: Who wrote the original version of "Black Betty"?
A: The original version of "Black Betty" is a traditional work song that has no known author. It was passed down orally from generation to generation by African-American workers, especially in the Southern United States. The earliest recordings of the song date back to the 1930s, by artists such as James "Iron Head" Baker and Lead Belly.
Q: What is the meaning of the name "Spiderbait"?
A: The name "Spiderbait" is a joke that the band members came up with when they were in high school. They thought it sounded like a heavy metal band name, even though they did not play heavy metal music. They also liked the idea of baiting spiders, which are common in Australia.
Q: What is the banjo solo in Spiderbait's version of "Black Betty"?
A: The banjo solo in Spiderbait's version of "Black Betty" is played by John Butler, a famous Australian musician and friend of the band. He is the leader of the John Butler Trio, a roots and jam band that has won several awards and sold millions of albums worldwide. He is also known for his activism and philanthropy.
Q: How can I learn to play "Black Betty" by Spiderbait on guitar?
A: If you want to learn to play "Black Betty" by Spiderbait on guitar, you can find many online tutorials and videos that teach you how to play the chords, riffs, and solos of the song. You can also find the tabs and sheet music of the song on various websites and platforms. You will need an electric guitar, an amplifier, and a distortion pedal to get the sound of the song.
Q: What are some other songs that are similar to "Black Betty" by Spiderbait?
A: Some other songs that are similar to "Black Betty" by Spiderbait are:
"Ace of Spades" by Motörhead
"Back in Black" by AC/DC
"Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf
"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
"Paranoid" by Black Sabbath
"Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple
"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Thunderstruck" by AC/DC
"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
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