"I Ain't Superstitious" is a song written by bluesman Willie Dixon and first recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1961.[1] It recounts various superstitions, including that of a black cat crossing the pathway. The song has been recorded by a number of artists, including Jeff Beck, whose blues rock adaptation in 1968 was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".
"I Ain't Superstitious" is a mid-tempo stop-time blues song that does not follow the typical chord progression.[2] Musician and writer Bill Janovitz described it as "not merely an electric version of the blues practiced in the Delta; it is something wholly new, a more aggressive and sophisticated Chicago cousin that acknowledges contemporary jazz, R&B, and pop forms".[3]
Howlin' Wolf recorded the song in Chicago in December 1961, with pianist Henry Gray, guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Rogers, drummer Sam Lay (drums), and with Willie Dixon on upright bass.[1] "I Ain't Superstitious" is included on several Howlin' Wolf compilation albums, including the 1969 Chess album Evil.
Jeff Beck versionedit
English rock guitarist Jeff Beck recorded "I Ain't Superstitious" for the 1968 debut album Truth featuring Rod Stewart on vocals. Called "a well-known classic-rock-radio staple",[3] Beck's version is "an inventive and inspired recording that manages to inject even more power into the updated arrangement".[3] The song's prominent feature is Beck's guitar work: "At every break, Beck's aqueous wah-wah tone makes his instrument sound like it's talking".[4] His version was ranked number 86 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".[4]
American thrash metal band Megadeth recorded the song for their 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?. Although based on the Howlin' Wolf's original version, Megadeth's version reflects their thrash metal approach.[6] According to group leader and singer Dave Mustaine: "Willie Dixon heard our version and he goes, 'Man, I like it. I thought that was great'... Willie Dixon gave us the thumbs up."[7]
Personneledit
Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.[5]
In 2017, Howlin' Wolf's original single version was inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame as a "Classic of Blues Recording".[8] The induction statement described it as "an ominous Willie Dixon composition" and noted the popularity of Beck's version with rock audiences.[8]
^Revolver staff (September 19, 2018). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Megadeth's 'Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?'". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ ab "2017 Hall of Fame Inductees: 'I Ain't Superstitious' – Howlin' Wolf (Chess, 1961)". Blues.org. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
November 23, 2023
superstitious, song, written, bluesman, willie, dixon, first, recorded, howlin, wolf, 1961, recounts, various, superstitions, including, that, black, crossing, pathway, song, been, recorded, number, artists, including, jeff, beck, whose, blues, rock, adaptatio. I Ain t Superstitious is a song written by bluesman Willie Dixon and first recorded by Howlin Wolf in 1961 1 It recounts various superstitions including that of a black cat crossing the pathway The song has been recorded by a number of artists including Jeff Beck whose blues rock adaptation in 1968 was named one of Rolling Stone magazine s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time I Ain t Superstitious Single by Howlin WolfB side Just Like I Treat You ReleasedDecember 1961 1961 12 1962RecordedChicago December 1961GenreBluesLength2 55LabelChessSongwriter s Willie DixonProducer s Leonard Chess Phil Chess Willie Dixon Contents 1 Original song 2 Jeff Beck version 3 Megadeth version 3 1 Personnel 4 Recognition 5 ReferencesOriginal song edit I Ain t Superstitious is a mid tempo stop time blues song that does not follow the typical chord progression 2 Musician and writer Bill Janovitz described it as not merely an electric version of the blues practiced in the Delta it is something wholly new a more aggressive and sophisticated Chicago cousin that acknowledges contemporary jazz R amp B and pop forms 3 Howlin Wolf recorded the song in Chicago in December 1961 with pianist Henry Gray guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Rogers drummer Sam Lay drums and with Willie Dixon on upright bass 1 I Ain t Superstitious is included on several Howlin Wolf compilation albums including the 1969 Chess album Evil Jeff Beck version editEnglish rock guitarist Jeff Beck recorded I Ain t Superstitious for the 1968 debut album Truth featuring Rod Stewart on vocals Called a well known classic rock radio staple 3 Beck s version is an inventive and inspired recording that manages to inject even more power into the updated arrangement 3 The song s prominent feature is Beck s guitar work At every break Beck s aqueous wah wah tone makes his instrument sound like it s talking 4 His version was ranked number 86 on Rolling Stone s list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time 4 Megadeth version edit I Ain t Superstitious Song by Megadethfrom the album Peace Sells but Who s Buying ReleasedSeptember 19 1986RecordedFebruary March 1986StudioMusic Grinder Track and Rock Steady Los Angeles Maddog Venice CaliforniaGenreThrash metalLength2 46LabelCombat CapitolSongwriter s Willie Dixon 5 Producer s Dave Mustaine Randy BurnsPeace Sells but Who s Buying track listing8 tracks Wake Up Dead The Conjuring Peace Sells Devils Island Good Mourning Black Friday Bad Omen I Ain t Superstitious My Last Words American thrash metal band Megadeth recorded the song for their 1986 album Peace Sells but Who s Buying Although based on the Howlin Wolf s original version Megadeth s version reflects their thrash metal approach 6 According to group leader and singer Dave Mustaine Willie Dixon heard our version and he goes Man I like it I thought that was great Willie Dixon gave us the thumbs up 7 Personnel edit Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes 5 Megadeth Dave Mustaine guitars lead vocals David Ellefson bass backing vocals Chris Poland guitars Gar Samuelson drumsProduction Dave Mustaine production Randy Burns production engineering Casey McMackin engineering Paul Lani mixing Stan Katayama mixing2004 remix and remaster Dave Mustaine production mixing Ralph Patlan engineering mixing Lance Dean engineering editing Scott Sarge Harrison editing Tom Baker masteringRecognition editIn 2017 Howlin Wolf s original single version was inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame as a Classic of Blues Recording 8 The induction statement described it as an ominous Willie Dixon composition and noted the popularity of Beck s version with rock audiences 8 References edit a b Shurman Dick 1991 Howlin Wolf The Chess Box Box set booklet Howlin Wolf MCA Chess Records p 29 CHD3 9332 Hal Leonard 1995 The Blues Milwaukee Wisconsin Hal Leonard pp 96 97 ISBN 0 79355 259 1 a b c Janovitz Bill Howlin Wolf I Ain t Superstitious Review AllMusic Retrieved March 6 2011 a b 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time Rolling Stone 2003 Archived from the original on May 30 2008 Retrieved March 6 2011 a b Peace Sells But Who s Buying Reissue liner notes Capitol Records 2004 pp 4 12 Berelian Essi 2005 The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal Rough Guides p 195 ISBN 0 313 36599 7 Revolver staff September 19 2018 10 Things You Didn t Know About Megadeth s Peace Sells But Who s Buying Revolvermag com Retrieved May 5 2022 a b 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees I Ain t Superstitious Howlin Wolf Chess 1961 Blues org Retrieved January 21 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title I Ain 27t Superstitious amp oldid 1139138792, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
