"Got My Mojo Working" is a blues song written by African-American musician … Read Full Bio ↴"Got My Mojo Working" is a blues song written by African-American musician Preston Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole in 1956. The song was popularized by Muddy Waters with his version in 1957. Rolling Stone magazine included Waters' rendition of the song at number 359 on its list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Got My Mojo Working
Muddy Waters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I want to love you so bad, I don't know what to do

Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
I'm gonna have all you women under my command

Got my mojo working
Got my mojo working
Got my mojo working
Got my mojo working
Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you

I got a gypsy woman givin' me advice

I got a gypsy woman givin' me advice
I got a whole lottsa tricks keepin' her around

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Got My Mojo Working" by Muddy Waters are full of the essence of the blues. The concept of "mojo" refers to a traditional African American form of magic, which serves to enhance one's powers, especially in love and sexuality, and it is often depicted in blues songs as a talisman or potion. In the first two lines of the song, Muddy Waters reveals that despite having his mojo working, it is not having any effect on his love interest. He then goes on to confess how much he wants to love this woman.

In the second verse, he sings about going to Louisiana to get a "mojo hand", which is a small bag filled with herbs, roots, and other magical items that is believed to enhance one's power. Muddy is determined to have all the women under his command once he gets his hands on a mojo hand. However, even after getting the mojo hand, the main character of the song is still not able to make the woman he desires fall in love with him.

The final lines, "I got a gypsy woman giving me advice, I got a whole lotta tricks keeping her around" suggests that despite his efforts, he can't make the woman fall in love with him, but he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. These lyrics resonate with the listeners, as many can empathize with the feeling of not being able to make someone fall in love with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I have my charms and magic working, but it doesn't seem to work on you.

Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
I have tried using my charms, but nothing seems to be working on you.

I want to love you so bad, I don't know what to do
I have a strong desire to love you, but I don't know how to make you reciprocate the same feeling.

Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
I plan to visit Louisiana to acquire an object or a charm that is believed to have magical powers.

Going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand
I am going to Louisiana to obtain a charm that will help me with my love life.

I'm gonna have all you women under my command
Soon, I will be able to captivate and control the hearts of all women.

Got my mojo working
My powers are buzzing.

Got my mojo working
I have my magical charms working.

Got my mojo working
My magic is at its peak.

Got my mojo working
I know my charms are working.

Got my mojo working, but it just won't work on you
Even with all my magic and charms, you are not falling for me.

I got a gypsy woman givin' me advice
A gypsy woman is advising me on what to do to win you over.

I got a gypsy woman givin' me advice
I am taking advice from a gypsy woman on how to use my magical powers to win your heart.

I got a whole lottsa tricks keepin' her around
I have many tricks up my sleeve to keep the gypsy woman around and help me with my magic.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Preston Foster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@georgecorcoran410

20w↑13

This is almost 60 years old and it still smokes anything recorded today. Muddy was the greatest.

@nobodyyouknow222

8y↑970

One of the best harmonica performances every recorded.

@dennisreid9039

7y↑4

Nobody YouKnow indeed

@rajatnandi2175

6y↑1

+marinman39 thanks man

@psicodelico3434

6y↑4

Tone is E??

@monikanowak4706

6y↑2

You damn right

@AstorSkywalker

5y↑7

for us newbies,... who is playing the harmonica?

48 More Replies...

@CherrySlush1

9y↑241

I saw Muddy Waters do this at the first ever Blues Festival in Chicago in August of 1969. A great one day free festival. Willie Dixon, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Luther Allison, Sleepy John Estes, Little Milton and more. It was incredible. Muddy Waters ended the day with this song and had the crowd in such a frenzy, he did the song twice.

@rudysinz9769

9y↑10

Wow man that must of been a honor to see these gentlemen perform during a beautiful era of music. unfortunately I was cursed to be born in the 1990s when music is at its death bed.

@slavakrawchenko1788

Robert Smith great dig!

@tary6781

5y↑1

Wow! Mr. R. Smith, Lucky man.

@waynehereford4687

Robert Smith what a lineup!

@eltonparks659

That was a good summer for music and people in general. I remember a "Blues" Woodstock festival that was happening somewhere that same summer. Peace, from White Lake, NY

10 More Replies...

@JamesVibe

8y↑459

James Cotton on Harp is killin it! He still playing gigs.... saw him 2014! Amazing! His mojo is still working

@recordguy4321

6y↑16

not anymore R I P

@rumpelstilskenmimisiku7263

6y↑6

JamesVibe haha yeah his mojo is still working alright

@z1522

4y↑6

He was alive and playing after throat cancer took his singing voice; gigs in 2014 would have been very near his last, as he died in 2017.

@whodidit99

4y↑3

Isn't that Little Walter on harp?

@swinginonthespiral8765

3y↑2

@whodidit99 2:59 it's cotton 100%. I only heard of him after his death FeelsBadMan :'(

3 More Replies...

@jamesdodson9535

10y↑65

These guys tear it up!!! That is about as intense a song I have ever heard from guys sitting down- I don't think it is possible to do a whole set like that standing up! Everybody is great, but the harp player is unbelievable!!just knocks cinder blocks out the wall!!

@zingodingo2816

2y↑3

James Cotton

@robi-wo9mc

17w

James Cotton stands up @ 3:08 😀 Just kidding. Yeah, the whole band is awesome. One of the best pieces of blues I've ever heard.

@maximpopov8651

4y↑479

The blues ability to self-irony, self-criticism and self-reflection makes it absolutely necessary against stupidity, obscurantism, narcissism, racism and xenophobia. Blues is a healer.

@carolvictoria7290

4y↑3

Maxim Popov 💃💃💃💃Preach!

@JohnDoe-fm7mf

4y↑20

That's totally wrong. Muddy Watters not only influence the rock'noll but the hip hop too. The narcissims and egocentrsim of hip hop rappers come form the justificate blues men's proud. First blackmans proud of them selves they develop the narcissism, the exibition of beautifull clothes, shoes and gold ( gold teeths) Guys who have the balls to live cotton field and become stars copied by internationnaly known white mans musicians. " Hoochie coochie man"... "mannish boy " ... "i'm a back door man" Howlin wolf etc..

@datruestory968

3y↑4

Yep this sounds comes fresh off the soul from descendants of slaves that landed in the US Mississppi Delta area. MS, AR, TN, LA.

@susanyerke5462

2y↑1

But I hated it looking Back that people of color had to play for white people only Sammy Davis Jr couldn't stay at the hotels he played in for many years Sikening

@leonardoiglesias2394

2y↑1

Muddy was himself a first class racist. Talking about „white kids with not enough soul“….

9 More Replies...

@thedudeabides2531

4y↑158

The harmonica playing is a big part of the performance. Love it.

@user-hz5yb4bh5v

4y↑1

Aw.. Who told you?

@juanitawilliams6631

Is that little walter playing on this song ?

@blaborde

3y↑10

@Juanita Williams Looks like James Cotton playing harmonica. While he played on most of Muddy's Chess recordings throughout the 50s and many in the 60s, Little Walter left Muddy's live group early in the 50s to lead his own band.

@og6falcon742

2y↑1

It is in almost all muddy songs, except for the super early years, until coming out of Mississippi to Chicago and he linked up with Lil Walter.

@winstonchurchill624

4y↑20

One of my favorite things about Muddy is that he’s not just a great guitar player, but he has other fantastic musicians with him, and he really lets them shine. He played with some of the best harmonica players ever, Little Walter in Junior Wells being my favorites.

@everyshalalalala

5y↑64

Muddy and his band are really firing on all cylinders here !! A blistering performance, Phenomenal !!!

@MrJacobean14

2y↑18

Easily one of the top 3 harmonica performances bro and the way this band seemlessly blends all their playing together and sings together smh truly a work of art . Nothing like the blues I’ll tell you that much 💯

@patrickweston2826

8y↑39

These guys are unmatched today. Really great talent and music.

@ctznkane6106

44w↑4

It’s June 2023. They’re still unmatched!!!!!

@FuzzTone

41w

They just don't make music quite like this anymore. Muddy was probably the best blues player there was.

@JosephMajocha

8y↑364

I never could understand how these guys could rock the fuck out in full suits without absolutely dying of the heat!

@mikaelhoelge852

7y↑57

Its called style!

@awadaawada6738

7y↑5

Mikael Hoelge dude, love your johnny winter pic

@jonmike118

7y↑10

It seems like when they are givin their best they have to look their best. Plus I have never seen a colored man or woman NOT dressed up 'tight' at one of many serious gatherings, such as church, holidays, births and death gatherings, unlike the 'white' gatherings of the same types it's not at all unusual for t-shirts, sweats- etc. to be worn and thought nothing of those doing so.

@justinpoly3479

7y↑11

it's called heroin

@davespedalsandprojects3516

7y↑37

It's called growing up in the south lol

26 More Replies...

@salamandercuck2321

8y↑43

I like how matter of fact Muddy Waters is in this recording. Very confident.

@MishaHendrix

3y↑9

Absolutely love it! Pure rock n roll. The man on harmonica is playing his guts out... plus I love the face Muddy makes when he says 'I got a gypsy woman' :D priceless

@johnknott6539

34w

That ain’t no rock-n-roll. That be Chicago Electric Blues. I love both art forms but please don’t mix them up. Not criticizing the writer- they may just be too young to know the difference

@MishaHendrix

34w↑1

We may be 46 years young , but we sure know the difference between the blues and rnr. Without the blues there'd be no rock n roll. I meant that this is the true spirit of rock n roll, and that to me transcends all barriers. If this is so important to you, then yes ofc this is Chess Records Chicago blues, along with Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley etc.@@johnknott6539

@davidgarza1301

2y↑8

The tempo is perfect and this cooks all night and day! Legendary performance.

@mattfromsunderland3630

5y↑20

Ah Blues! A true expression of passion and emotion, a hell of a lot better than the autotuned rubbish we’ve got today.

@bigdancd

5y↑9

One of the best live blues shows I ever saw. Muddy was at Gilly's here in Dayton OH back in the 80's. Awesome music and great show!

@timriley4543

17w

You had me dancin' with my Mojo in hand, Muddy...RIP to the master class professor of the Blues.

@KarlSaxell

10y↑8

Love this performance!!!
Gives me chills!!

@johnrafferty9644

2y↑2

This kid is definitely going to make it big.

@ghostmoth8617

4y↑89

I think the blues deserves its own museum or hall of fame

@domib.3924

3y↑13

421 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

@joeh6236

3y↑3

I agree 100 % it should be in Chicago, IL

@McTrollington

3y↑8

National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101 COME VISIT!

@tyrekecantrell5941

3y↑1

@Joe H Amen. Ain’t no home for blues like Chicago was.

@ghostmoth8617

3y↑1

@zooM ill make sure to pop around if i ever end up in missouri

3 More Replies...

@guitardan46

Fabulous music. These blues guys deserve so much credit for today's rock and roll. Thank you all. :-)

@MrDave54321

10y↑9

Most rock n rollers could never hold a candle to these guys. Gutsy, tight, and kick-ass!

@joecarney9307

7y↑6

Every single player here is so fucking tight!!! from the Harp guy, to the drummer and the guy on keys as well as the whole call and response thing and as always, Muddy is on point. No downside to the apart from the guy at the start and the end

@dudeanwalker

10y↑7

He's got my mojo working allright! Hats off for Muddy!!!

@TheOneLastDragon

10y↑2

Some of the best harmonica techniques ...ever!

@darcyproulx3518

3y↑1

One of Muddy's best songs and done here to perfection. You young cats should know these licks. As Muddy would say "It's the blues"

@kimberlygriffin6400

8y↑6

Immaculate!! One of the founding fathers of blues, the whole band was on point, southern gritty blues at its best. A master of his craft.

@michaelbailey1578

4y↑17

This is one of the greatest works in the entire canon of Western music. I've studied classical guitar for 40 years, and blues before that. I defy any hot shot geetar player to sit in with these guys and not fuck up the rhythm. These guy were so skilled as individuals and tight as a group it's amazing. This is a simple 12-bar blues - three fucking chords, and yet there aren't many who could play with these guys without being thrown out of the studio - politely.

@ramonalujan5889

4y↑5

James Cotton driving that sound with his iconic harp

@watchyMCFCwatchy

4y↑3

This is my favourite Muddy song. I have a vinyl record with the original 78rpm recording. Sound quality not too good, but it's the tune that matters. Go muddy, go on boy - give us some more!

@Zeldarw104

Cool!!!💯🎵

@mickeymousebiker1

11y↑11

Muddy playing and calling it. James talking with the rooster. One of the greatest Blues rants out there. Outta control! King tone from start to finish! Thanks for posting this one!

@chiplovitt8538

10y↑1

One great performance by Muddy Waters the king of the blues, ain't that a man!! If you love the blues you gotta love this performance, especially when Muddy does his trademark vocal stutter/lip shake baby (for lack of a better description) at 3:54. You gotta love it!

@Nocturnal11Guy

4y↑1

I truly truly love this song!

@johanbergman3166

4y↑1

Fantastic, one of the best musicians ever!

@britteach

How could this be the blues if it makes so many people so happy? I smile everytime I watch this.

@patois231

5y↑44

Love the way James Cotton jumps out of his chair. All that energy runnin' through him. Tight, tight band. Whew!

@swinginonthespiral8765

3y↑2

I JUST said the same thing! Wow! I've got goosebumps everywhere. Whew! Ha!

@jonahlevin67

Phenomenal. Great voice and the harp player is brilliant. Tight arrangement. Must have sounded fantastic in the room.

@manlypedro75

Killer rhythm section, unbelievable swing!!! Kids today get medicated too early to release this type of energy.

@davefawcett

1y↑4

Incredible band, how lucky were the people of that era to see and hear this music that lives on, and is even better today..

@Multifacted_Brotha

48w↑6

Love this.. Got me in such a good mood 😎

@sooz9433

3y↑8

It makes me sad to know there won't be Bluesmen like these in the future.
In the wee small hours of the night we huddled around this music in awe and reverence... I still do today at 73. My mojo don't work as good as it once did but that don't keep me from trying. 🎼🖤

@joergmoeller1030

49w↑1

I hope your Mojo is still alive Sir ;-)

@theresewalters1696

44w

@@joergmoeller1030Some of us are still looking for a man like you 😂.

@brianbard3410

17w

Yes it will brother, dems who feels it knows it.
If you don't dig the blues ,you have a hole in your soul.
Albert king.

@BobJones-dq9mx

5y↑1

I have for a long time been a Muddy Water`s fan. As such,I have just finished reading his biography entitled "Can`t be Satisfied" by Robert Gordon. What a book! Starting with share cropping poverty in Mississippi to his final end in Chicago.The book is a masterpiece!

@b.h.7430

7y↑2

Just discovered this little gem of a song today. Been on repeat all day

@rumpelstilskenmimisiku7263

Brenden Hemby yeah me too! I always like to have Muddy waters on repeat. Do you play at all?

@maa1953bigedmark

6y↑2

A classic performance from a musical LEGEND. Thanks for the post

@simplyshorts748

1y↑4

He really got his mojo workin‘ ❤

@gravlaxbob355

1y↑1

wow,
what a great rendition of that song probably the best I have heard, was it James Cotton on harmonica? Thank you for posting this! Just great!

@smackthatjerk

11y↑5

You can tell that everyone of them is having an awesome time while playing this. Love the sober, but at the same time I-know-I'm-kicking-ass-over-here pose that the drummer has.

@FirstnameLastname-qp3qn

8y↑12

This is the best blues performance I have ever seen. You can understand why the Stones admired him. The performers I can positively identify are:
James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), and James "Pee Wee" Madison (guitar)
That the camera only panned to Waters and Cotton is insulting to the amazing talents there. Because they didn't get closeups, I can list the members of the band in 1966, who might be performing:
Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson (bass), and Francis Clay (drums)

@shokomiya6004

5y↑1

look like old jimmy lee morris on bass.

@rsnh4849

@sho komiya maybe Andrew Stevenson?

@WeenieCampbell

34w

That's S.P. Leary on drums.

@jerrym714

9y↑1

This is my favorite video on all of YouTube.... outstanding. Wow.
Wish I could have seen Muddy live. James Cotton blowin' up on harmonica.

@myboy576

8y↑43

Tears on my cheeks...God, we miss you Mud !

@PriscillaDoll13

6y↑2

It’s 2018 and I’m still listening and jamming!!! Ultimate Classic

@pkj410

5y↑6

My god this song gives me a goosebump, James Cotten on Harp is Killin it!! Muddy Water was a Icon and still is!

@SaxophoneLover12

7y↑14

I was supposed to be doing homework...but while listening to this song I couldn't help but dance the entire time! It's so great!!

@ericnarbey7713

10y↑1

Can'T get enough of Muddy Waters.

@SAGERODS250REM

10y↑1

Classic Muddy,great performance love the blues harp.

@UnleashedTraining101

4y↑3

I'd give anything to go back and watch this live. This is quality music.

@jondaba7286

How about sittin' in a smoky bar in Chicago digging Dust My Broom by Robert Johnson?

@jetturner6439

9y↑2

Saw this gentleman in concert way back. Love his music. This is a good version for sure.

@steveburton2410

4y↑2

These brothers are killing it!
If that harmonica don't get the mojo going, call the undertaker...

@malachimaxxel

4y↑3

this song is amazing the energy in this tune is next level

@tomcooper6108

Good to see these guys rockin'!!
Remember that they played the blues 5 & 6 nights a week for 25 years. James Cotton sounded great!!

@jessegriffin8775

Oh! to have a time machine to go back and listen to these guys play them blues live again. I sure miss all of them.

@rsl4448

Amo demais, meu Deus nasci na época errada!

@churchmouse144

5y↑4

Love this song. Amazing how they can all be sitting when playing this. James Cotton jumps up a time or two. Wonder if they knew they were making history at the time?

@MegaCorneille

WHAT is there to dislike?? Muddy and the band just "Nails it" in this version...Hands down...

@garyslater1243

3y↑5

They were all incredible musicians, but James Cotton on harmonica - that is virtuoso at its finest ! He is on fire here !!

@cyydaaraujo

10y

Demais demais ,a doro, os irmão mais velho do rock roll.

@BIGDADDYONE100

10y↑1

WITHOUT A DOUBT, HE WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST !

@123willy1000

6y↑4

WOW, it gives me goose bumps just listening,, you go man !!!!

@teegrey1606

5y↑1

my father played that tune so much..love it..RIP

@wald9062

Aż mnie ciary przechodzą...

@jackwills5444

4y↑4

One of the best blues songs ever.

@KaBoomChannel

5y↑2

I could listen to this a billion times and never tire of it

@realbudgiesmugglertwohatsb2611

26w

I've said it before and I say it again this is the performance that cemented blues both historically and cosmically as best of all time....Waters is at his peak and Cotton is just deadly dangerous in the zone while the band goes next level to create a timeless benchmark that will echo throughout the universe forever....this track ladies and gentlemen is the essence the soul the energy of men playing blues with their mojo working.

@fortunatoofamontillado1059

3y↑8

Im 57 and listening to this for over 40 yrs .. to see this perfomance really is a blessing!! brings a tear to my eye its SO fucking good ... God Bless !!!

@grahammaxwell2112

im 28 this is on par with motorhead

@yvonnecarter8993

7y↑2

GENIUSES! OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE...THANKS FOR POSTING. YOU GOT YOUR MOJO WORKING TOO!

@TheEzekiel23

9y↑1

un genio entre genios, que más se puede decir de él

@comunistatemfome

4y↑2

Heavy Metal fan here, thank you for being inspiration to more musicians of other styles

@aaroncorbett6352

4y↑3

There's not one performer on this song that doesn't ABSOLUTELY KILL IT.

@Accelerator4580

9y↑1

This song just got me interested in blues music. Great stuff!

@charliesideshow8400

5y↑1

Pure bliss! What a Performance! Yessss!

@delandcamargo5732

That harmonica OMG and that band is super tight this is rocking

@mophreakous

10y↑1

Perfection, can't hear this song and be in a bad mood...

@JackTheJumper93

pity that I am so young and could not see this performance live. Hands down that's what I call right music

@longlosthome

5y↑3

1 of the best songs ever, and really enjoy this version..

@renlongchen5919

7y↑1

Love this song so much. Is there anyone knows the score (notes) for it?

@johnflanagan7653

5y↑2

A class act - many of today's 'stars' could never be so good.

@alessandrocruciani9691

Concordo. Una delle migliori registrazioni di armonica blues che io abbia mai sentito. Il microfono e l'amplificatore fanno la loro parte. Ma questo è un mostro!!

@korbiniangaigl9916

10y

Fantastic Song.
Fantastic Singer.
Muddy Waters is the Godfather of every kind of music.
I love him!

@johnwrobel5655

Muddy was the best!! The band was on fire!!

@TheCustomEverythingChannel

4y↑14

Everyone needs a history lesson this man paved the way for every musician today love his music. Some people say I'm an old soul born inna different time

@ghostrider-ek8gu

A true classic ... The great Muddy Waters and the Amazing James Cotton

@billmavin6203

Otis Spann is one of the greatest blues piano players ever. Muddy loved him, when he died young, Muddy was devastated even if he had left the band by then