Bill Bartlett was formerly lead guitarist for sunshine pop group The Lemon Pipers, while Blauvett played with then budding pop artist Billy Joel in two bands: The Hassles and El Primo. Ram Jam were known for incorporating blues and soul influences in their sound, which set them apart from many contemporaries and brought them brief but strong chart success.
Black Betty
Ram Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty had a child, bam-ba-lam
The damn thing gone wild, bam-ba-lam
She said, "I'm worryin' outta mind", bam-ba-lam
The damn thing gone blind, bam-ba-lam
I said, oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
She really gets me high, bam-ba-lam
You know that's no lie, bam-ba-lam
She's so rock steady, bam-ba-lam
And she's always ready, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Get it
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
She's from Birmingham, bam-ba-lam
Way down in Alabam', bam-ba-lam
Well, she's shakin' that thing, bam-ba-lam
Boy, she makes me sing, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
The song “Black Betty” by Ram Jam is a classic rock song sung by the band in the 70s. The lyrics are based on an African American work song that originated in the late 19th century. The lyrics of the song focus on a woman named Black Betty, who has a child that has gone wild. The song seems to suggest that Black Betty is worried sick about her child, who has gone blind. However, the song then switches focus to how Black Betty affects the singer, talking about how she “really gets me high” and is “rock steady” and “always ready.”
The chorus repeats throughout the song, and the lyrics are repetitive, giving the song a hypnotic feel. The rhythm of the song is unmistakably catchy, and the overall tone of the song is one of pure rock rebellion. In short, “Black Betty” is a song about a woman who is both a source of concern and a source of inspiration - a woman with a complicated and contradictory impact on those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Repeated line that represents the singer's admiration and fondness for Black Betty.
Black Betty had a child, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty had a baby that turned out to be wild and uncontrollable.
The damn thing gone wild, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty's child has become uncontrollable and rebellious.
She said, "I'm worryin' outta mind", bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is worried and stressed about her child's behavior and actions.
The damn thing gone blind, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty's child has become blind, possibly due to their wild and reckless behavior.
She really gets me high, bam-ba-lam
The singer is exhilarated and excited when he's around Black Betty.
You know that's no lie, bam-ba-lam
The singer is emphasizing that he is telling the truth about how Black Betty makes him feel.
She's so rock steady, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is very stable and reliable, and the singer admires this about her.
And she's always ready, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is always prepared and willing to do whatever needs to be done.
She's from Birmingham, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is from Birmingham in Alabama.
Way down in Alabam', bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is from the southern state of Alabama.
Well, she's shakin' that thing, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is dancing and moving her body in a tantalizing way.
Boy, she makes me sing, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty's movements make the singer feel joy and happiness.
Get it
Encouragement for the rest of the band to continue playing and performing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Huddie Ledbetter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PlouffeAlex
I’m commenting so whenever someone likes it, I can come back and listen to this masterpiece again
@bjornna7767
Busy guy, haha :D
@Bookeeper
Feel free to listen as many times as you want
@Notime4646
Well, guess you listened to it more than 40 times in a day huh :D
@PlouffeAlex
@@Notime4646 yes I never get tired of it
@Notime4646
@@PlouffeAlex That's great, that's grrreat :D
@henrick_the_lover
If your band is going to be known for only one song make it a banger like this one.
@SydneyLarrikin-ci2vz
It was originally a folk song
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Betty#:~:text=The%20song%20was%20first%20recorded,(a%20State%20prison%20farm).
@anonymoose2474
@@SydneyLarrikin-ci2vz They made it their song though. Just like "hurt" is Johnny cash's song, even if he didn't write it
@joshua_irving
@@anonymoose2474 Johnny cash version was alright, but the NIN version is fire