About the song
“Black Water” is a timeless classic by the American rock band the Doobie Brothers, released in 1974 as part of their album “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits”. This iconic song, featuring Patrick Simmons on lead vocals, became the band’s first No. 1 hit single in mid-March 1975. With its unique blend of blues, rock, and folk elements, “Black Water” has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for generations.
The song’s origins date back to the recording sessions for the Doobie Brothers’ 1973 album “The Captain and Me”, where Patrick Simmons stumbled upon the basic guitar lick that would become the foundation of “Black Water”. Producer Ted Templeman was immediately drawn to the riff, encouraging Simmons to develop it into a full-fledged song. The result was a masterpiece that would go on to become one of the band’s most beloved and enduring tracks.
Simmons’ inspiration for “Black Water” was deeply rooted in his love for Delta blues and his experiences in New Orleans, where he had first visited in 1971. The song’s opening section, with its evocative lyrics and soaring melody, is a testament to Simmons’ childhood imagination of the American South, influenced by his reading of Mark Twain’s classic novels “Huckleberry Finn” and “Tom Sawyer”. The lyrics that follow, however, are a reflection of his actual experiences in the city, drawing on his love of Dixieland jazz and the vibrant music scene in the French Quarter.
One of the most distinctive features of “Black Water” is its a cappella section, which has become one of the song’s most recognizable and beloved elements. This innovative arrangement, featuring harmonies that are both lush and intimate, was inspired by producer Ted Templeman’s own experiences as the lead singer of the sunshine pop group Harpers Bizarre. The song also features a beautiful viola performance by Ilene “Novi” Novog, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall sound.
Despite its eventual success, “Black Water” was initially intended as a B-side, with the lead single from the album being “Another Park, Another Sunday”. However, the song’s popularity soon eclipsed that of its A-side, and it went on to become one of the Doobie Brothers’ most iconic and enduring hits. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the history and making of “Black Water”, exploring its origins, inspirations, and enduring appeal.
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Lyrics
Well, I built me a raft and she’s ready for floatin’
Ol’ Mississippi, she’s callin’ my name
Catfish are jumpin’, that paddle wheel thumpin’
Black water keeps rollin’ on past just the same
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Yeah, keep on shinin’ your light
Gonna make everything
Pretty mama, gonna make everything all right
And I ain’t got no worries
‘Cause I ain’t in no hurry at all
Well, if it rains, I don’t care
Don’t make no difference to me
Just take that streetcar that’s goin’ uptown
Yeah, I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland and dance a honky-tonk
And I’ll be buyin’ ev’rybody drinks all ‘roun’
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me?
Keep on shinin’ your light
Gonna make everything, everything
Gonna make everything all right
And I ain’t got no worries
‘Cause I ain’t in no hurry at all
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
(By the hand) hand (take me by the hand) pretty mama
Gonna dance with your daddy all night long
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama (I wanna honky-tonk, honky-tonk)
Gonna dance with your daddy night long (honky-tonk with you all long)
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama (I wanna honky-tonk, honky-tonk)
Gonna dance with you all night long (honky-tonk with you all long)
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama (I wanna honky-tonk, honky-tonk)
Gonna dance with you all night long (honky-tonk with you all long)
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama (I wanna honky-tonk, honky-tonk)
Gonna dance with you all night long (honky-tonk with you all long)
I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama (I wanna honky-tonk, honky-tonk)
Gonna dance with you all night long (honky-tonk with you all long)