Got My Mojo Working
Ann Cole Lyrics
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I'v got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
I got my black cat bones all pure and dry
I've got a forty four all hangin' high
I'v got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
Got my hoodoo ashes all around your bed
Got the black knight moves underneath your head
I'v got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
I've got a gypsy woman givin' me advice
I've got some great hot tips, I have to keep on ice
I'v got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
I've got my rabbit foot, I know it's workin' right
I've got your strand of hair, I keep day and night
I'v got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
I've got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
The lyrics to Ann Cole's "Got My Mojo Working" are steeped in blues and hoodoo traditions. "Mojo" is a term used in hoodoo, an African-American folk magic practiced in the southern United States, to refer to a talisman or charm that is believed to bring luck or power to the bearer. In this song, the singer has her mojo working, but it just won't have any effect on the object of her affection. She tries using various traditional hoodoo practices such as black cat bones, a forty four gun, hoodoo ashes, black knight moves, a rabbit foot, and even the hair of her beloved. Despite all of this, her powerful mojo just can't seem to win over the person she desires.
The lyrics also feature other hoodoo references such as "gypsy woman" and "hot tips." The gypsy woman is a common trope in hoodoo, often portrayed as a powerful fortune-teller or mystical adviser. "Hot tips" in this context likely refer to secret knowledge passed down within hoodoo traditions.
Overall, this song reflects the deep roots of the blues and the role of hoodoo in the culture of the American South. Despite the singer's attempts at using traditional hoodoo practices, she ultimately cannot make her mojo work on the person she loves.
Line by Line Meaning
Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
Despite all my efforts to use my magical powers to make you fall in love with me, it seems like nothing is working.
I wanna love you so, till I don't know what to do
I desire to love you so much that I lose control and don't know what to do with myself.
I got my black cat bones all pure and dry
I collected the bones of a black cat, and after performing a ritual to cleanse and prepare them, I am using them for my magic.
I've got a forty four all hangin' high
I have a .44 caliber gun hanging high, possibly as an intimidation tactic or to use in a violent act if necessary.
Got my hoodoo ashes all around your bed
I placed ashes from my hoodoo rituals all around your bed, as they are believed to have magical properties to help influence your thoughts and feelings towards me.
Got the black knight moves underneath your head
I placed chess pieces representing the black knight under your head, possibly to disrupt your dreams and influence your subconscious mind.
I've got a gypsy woman givin' me advice
I'm receiving guidance from a gypsy woman who is likely known for her expertise in magic and divination.
I've got some great hot tips, I have to keep on ice
I have some valuable information or advice that I need to keep secret and safe until the right moment to use it.
I've got my rabbit foot, I know it's workin' right
I have a rabbit's foot, a common good luck charm, which I believe is bringing me positive results in my magic.
I've got your strand of hair, I keep day and night
I have a strand of your hair, likely taken without your knowledge, that I keep close to me at all times as a tool for my magic.
Contributed by Andrew S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GarlandFloyd
"Got My Mojo Working" is a 1956 song written by Preston Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole, but popularized by Muddy Waters in 1957. Waters' rendition of the song was featured on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #359[1] and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000. It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. This song has been the subject of copyright litigation. McKinley Morganfield, a.k.a. Muddy Waters, heard Ann Cole perform it while she was on tour with him in 1956. He modified the words, and attempted to copyright his own version. Dare Music, Inc., holder of the Preston Foster copyright, and Arc Music Group, holder of the Morganfield copyright, settled out of court, with Arc deferring to Dare's copyright. In Strachborneo v. Arc Music 357 F. Supp 1393 (S.D. N.Y. 1973), Ruth Stratchborneo sued co-defendants Arc Music, Dare Music, McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters) and Preston Foster, claiming that all had infringed on her copyright in the song "Mojo Workout". In disagreement with Plaintiff Stratchborneo's claim, the ruling held that the term "Mojo" was essentially in the public domain and that the various uses of it in recordings by Ann Cole, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Smith and Bill Cosby did not, therefore, constitute infringement.
"MOJO is a commonplace part of the rhetoric of the culture of a substantial portion of the American people. As a figure of speech, the concept of having, or not having, one's MOJO working is not something in which any one person could assert originality, or establish a proprietary right.".[3]
Importantly, the ruling also unequivocably established the copyright of Preston Foster and Dare Music, Inc. in the song “Got My Mojo Working”.
“I find that defendant Dare is the owner of a valid copyright originally issued to Foster on October 29, 1956 (No. EU 462214) and duly assigned to Dare, covering the words and music of "GOT MY MOJO WORKING," as set forth in a 1956 lead sheet filed in the Copyright Office and on the demonstration record, Ex. 6, and that such work is an original musical composition of words and music made by Preston Foster, which does not infringe any rights of plaintiff.” [3]
A discussion of the history of the song can be found on pages 173 - 175 in "The Judge Who Hated Red Nail Polish & Other Crazy But True Stories of Law & Lawyers".
@kamilomar9134
Her music REALLY has to be revised on the radio airwaves - young female singers really should be listening to this talented lady - she was VERY much underrated!!.
@user-fb8rw5uq5d
I first heard this on local station, X-ray radio, not knowing there had been any other version than the widely popular one. Her rendition is far superior, focused intent and powerhouse vocal virtuosity. She brings the determination, and absolute firey willpower that is somewhat absent from later versions.
Subjectivity is a part of the absorption of art, but it is a shame she wasn't given greater credit in her lifetime. This piece offers a timeline of evolution that leads to other greats; Tina Turner not being the least of those clearly influenced by such unleashed vocals.
@morganfisherart
Wiki says about Ann: "She was involved in a serious car accident [aged about 30], which ended her musical career and confined her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She died of a heart failure in her sleep in November 1986, aged 52."
Life can be so damned unfair :-(
I'm so glad to have discovered her here, and will search for the few other songs she released. Thanks for the upload, markowee!!
@markowee
You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.
@davidespinosa1910
So Muddy stole the song from her, with no credit. What a loser.
@chezztone
It's the lack of road safety and absence of good train service. It's not about unfairness. Tens of thousands of people are killed or disabled in car crashes annually. Touring performers are even more vulnerable because they travel more
@curtisjenkins8112
This is ONE great song! She nails it too!
@ismaelsantos9332
The best version 👋🏾👋🏾
@knuteboy3778
Damn..what a powerhouse vocalist. One of those singers who fell through the cracks.
@Dickneeds
One of the best 50's R&B female singers. Never got her proper dues along with Faye Simmons . You live on on my turntable Annie.