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Rollin' Stone (Muddy Waters song)

December 12, 2023

"Rollin' Stone" is a blues song recorded by Muddy Waters in 1950. It is his interpretation of "Catfish Blues", a Delta blues that dates back to 1920s Mississippi.[3] "Still a Fool", recorded by Muddy Waters a year later using the same arrangement and melody, reached number nine on the Billboard R&B chart. "Rollin' Stone" has been recorded by a variety of artists.

"Rollin' Stone"
Single by Muddy Waters
B-side"Walkin' Blues"
Released1950 (1950)
RecordedFebruary 1950[1][2]
GenreBlues, electric blues
Length3:05
LabelChess
Songwriter(s)Muddy Waters (credited)
Producer(s)Leonard Chess, Phil Chess
Muddy Waters singles chronology
"Rollin' and Tumblin'"
(1950) 		"Rollin' Stone"
(1950) 		"You're Gonna Need My Help I Said"
(1950)

Earlier songs edit

In 1928, Jim Jackson recorded "Kansas City Blues Parts 3 and 4", a follow-up to his highly successful "Jim Jackson's Kansas City Blues Parts 1 and 2". Jackson's lyrics included:

I wished I was a catfish swimming down in the sea
I'd have some good woman fishing after me

Several other early songs also explored variations on the catfish and/or fishing theme. In 1941, Tommy McClennan and his sometime partner Robert Petway each recorded versions of the song. Petway's was the first to be titled "Catfish Blues" and is sometimes cited as the basis for Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone".[4] However, according to one biographer "They'd been singing "Catfish Blues" for years in the Delta, but it never sounded like "Rollin' Stone".[5]

Muddy Waters song edit

"Rollin' Stone" has been identified (along with "Walkin' Blues", the single's B-side) as one of the first songs that Muddy Waters learned to play and an early favorite.[6] The words refer to the traditional proverb, "A rolling stone gathers no moss".

Called "a brooding, minor-hued drone piece",[6] "Rollin' Stone" is a mid- to slow-tempo blues notated in 4/4 time in the key of E major.[7] Although the instrumental section uses the IV and V chords, the vocal sections remain on the I chord,[7] giving the song a modal quality often found in Delta blues songs. In addition to the traditional catfish verses, Waters added:

Well my mother told my father just before I was born
'I got a boy child comin', gonna be, gonna be a rollin' stone
Sho' enough he's a rollin' stone

Unlike most of his early recordings which have bass or other instrumental accompaniment, "Rollin' Stone" is a solo performance by Muddy Waters on vocal and electric guitar. It has "much empty space ... imbued with the power of a pause, of letting a note hang in the air, the anticipation of the next one".[5]

"Rollin' Stone" was the first Muddy Waters record released on Chess Records and the second overall for the label (previous releases were on Aristocrat Records).[1][8] It did not reach the national record charts, but sold about 70,000 copies[8] and allowed Muddy Waters to quit his day job.[5]

Still a Fool edit

In 1951, Muddy Waters used the vocal melody and guitar figure from "Rollin' Stone" for "Still a Fool".[9] The song was more successful, reaching number nine in the Billboard R&B chart.[3] Rather than a solo piece, Little Walter on second guitar and Leonard Chess on bass drum accompanied Muddy on vocal and guitar. Subsequent versions of "Rollin' Stone" or "Catfish Blues" often use some lyrics from "Still a Fool" (sometimes called "Two Trains Running" after the opening verse).

Influence and recognition edit

According to music writer Robert Palmer, English blues rock group the Rolling Stones (who recorded their version of the song on their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds as "Rolling Stone Blues") and the music magazine Rolling Stone took their names from the song.[6] However, magazine editor Jann Wenner explained:

The name of it [the magazine] is Rolling Stone, which comes from an old saying: 'A Rolling Stone gathers no moss.' Muddy Waters used the name for a song he wrote; The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy’s song, and 'Like A Rolling Stone' was the title of Bob Dylan’s first rock and roll record.[10]

In 2000, the song was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award;[11] in 2004, it was included at number 459 by Rolling Stone in its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[12] It was updated to number 465 in 2010. In 2019, the Blues Foundation inducted "Rollin' Stone" into the Blues Hall of Fame as a "Classic of Blues Recording".[13]

In 1967, "Rollin' Stone" (and "Still a Fool") was used as part of Jimi Hendrix's "Catfish Blues", a homage to Muddy Waters, and included on the albums BBC Sessions and Blues. Hendrix's signature songs "Voodoo Chile" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" evolved from his "Catfish Blues".[14]

Frank Zappa recorded a version of the song at the Record Plant in 1970. The vocals were later wiped and the backing track was then re-utilized to create the song "Stink-Foot" on Apostrophe (') (1974). A rough mix of the original version was posthumously released in 2023 on Funky Nothingness.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Wight, Phil; Rothwell, Fred (1991). "The Complete Muddy Waters Discography". Blues & Rhythm. No. 200. p. 39.
  2. ^ Palmer, Robert (1989). Muddy Waters: The Chess Box (Box set booklet). Muddy Waters. Universal City, California: MCA Records/Chess Records. p. 28. CHD3-80092.
  3. ^ a b Herzhaft, Gerard (1992). "Catfish Blues". Encyclopedia of the Blues. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press. p. 442. ISBN 1-55728-252-8.
  4. ^ Palmer, Robert (1993). Blues Masters Volume 8: Mississippi Delta Blues (Album notes). Various Artists. Los Angeles: Rhino Records. p. 8. R2 71130.
  5. ^ a b c Gordon, Robert (2002). Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters. New York City: Little, Brown. p. 101. ISBN 0-316-32849-9.
  6. ^ a b c Palmer, Robert (1982). Deep Blues. New York City: Penguin Books. p. 104. ISBN 0-14006-223-8.
  7. ^ a b Hal Leonard (1995). "Rollin' Stone". The Blues. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard. p. 176. ISBN 0-79355-259-1.
  8. ^ a b Chapple, Steve; Garofalo, Reebee (1977). Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Pay. Chicago: Nelson Hall. p. 37. ISBN 978-0882294377.
  9. ^ Chess 1480
  10. ^ Havers, Richard (9 November 2018). "On the Cover of the 'Rolling Stone'". Udiscover Music. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Grammy Hall of Fame Awards – Past Recipients". Grammy.org. 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  12. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. No. 963. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  13. ^ Blues Foundation. "2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: "Rollin' Stone" – Muddy Waters (Chess, 1950)". The Blues Foundation. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  14. ^ Fairchild, Michael J. (1994). Jimi Hendrix: Blues (CD booklet). Jimi Hendrix. Universal City, California: MCA Records. p. 22. MCAD-11060.
  15. ^ Travers, Joe (2023). Funky Nothingness (CD booklet). Frank Zappa. Universal Music Group/Zappa Records. p. 5. ZR20043.

External links edit

  • Haymes, Max (2004). "Catfish Blues (Origins of a Blues)". earlyblues.com. Retrieved 16 March 2011.

December 12, 2023
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Rollin Stone is a blues song recorded by Muddy Waters in 1950 It is his interpretation of Catfish Blues a Delta blues that dates back to 1920s Mississippi 3 Still a Fool recorded by Muddy Waters a year later using the same arrangement and melody reached number nine on the Billboard R amp B chart Rollin Stone has been recorded by a variety of artists Rollin Stone Single by Muddy WatersB side Walkin Blues Released1950 1950 RecordedFebruary 1950 1 2 GenreBlues electric bluesLength3 05LabelChessSongwriter s Muddy Waters credited Producer s Leonard Chess Phil ChessMuddy Waters singles chronology Rollin and Tumblin 1950 Rollin Stone 1950 You re Gonna Need My Help I Said 1950 Contents 1 Earlier songs 2 Muddy Waters song 3 Still a Fool 4 Influence and recognition 5 References 6 External linksEarlier songs editIn 1928 Jim Jackson recorded Kansas City Blues Parts 3 and 4 a follow up to his highly successful Jim Jackson s Kansas City Blues Parts 1 and 2 Jackson s lyrics included I wished I was a catfish swimming down in the sea I d have some good woman fishing after me Several other early songs also explored variations on the catfish and or fishing theme In 1941 Tommy McClennan and his sometime partner Robert Petway each recorded versions of the song Petway s was the first to be titled Catfish Blues and is sometimes cited as the basis for Muddy Waters Rollin Stone 4 However according to one biographer They d been singing Catfish Blues for years in the Delta but it never sounded like Rollin Stone 5 Muddy Waters song edit Rollin Stone has been identified along with Walkin Blues the single s B side as one of the first songs that Muddy Waters learned to play and an early favorite 6 The words refer to the traditional proverb A rolling stone gathers no moss Called a brooding minor hued drone piece 6 Rollin Stone is a mid to slow tempo blues notated in 4 4 time in the key of E major 7 Although the instrumental section uses the IV and V chords the vocal sections remain on the I chord 7 giving the song a modal quality often found in Delta blues songs In addition to the traditional catfish verses Waters added Well my mother told my father just before I was born I got a boy child comin gonna be gonna be a rollin stone Sho enough he s a rollin stone Unlike most of his early recordings which have bass or other instrumental accompaniment Rollin Stone is a solo performance by Muddy Waters on vocal and electric guitar It has much empty space imbued with the power of a pause of letting a note hang in the air the anticipation of the next one 5 Rollin Stone was the first Muddy Waters record released on Chess Records and the second overall for the label previous releases were on Aristocrat Records 1 8 It did not reach the national record charts but sold about 70 000 copies 8 and allowed Muddy Waters to quit his day job 5 Still a Fool editIn 1951 Muddy Waters used the vocal melody and guitar figure from Rollin Stone for Still a Fool 9 The song was more successful reaching number nine in the Billboard R amp B chart 3 Rather than a solo piece Little Walter on second guitar and Leonard Chess on bass drum accompanied Muddy on vocal and guitar Subsequent versions of Rollin Stone or Catfish Blues often use some lyrics from Still a Fool sometimes called Two Trains Running after the opening verse Influence and recognition editAccording to music writer Robert Palmer English blues rock group the Rolling Stones who recorded their version of the song on their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds as Rolling Stone Blues and the music magazine Rolling Stone took their names from the song 6 However magazine editor Jann Wenner explained The name of it the magazine is Rolling Stone which comes from an old saying A Rolling Stone gathers no moss Muddy Waters used the name for a song he wrote The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy s song and Like A Rolling Stone was the title of Bob Dylan s first rock and roll record 10 In 2000 the song was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award 11 in 2004 it was included at number 459 by Rolling Stone in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 12 It was updated to number 465 in 2010 In 2019 the Blues Foundation inducted Rollin Stone into the Blues Hall of Fame as a Classic of Blues Recording 13 In 1967 Rollin Stone and Still a Fool was used as part of Jimi Hendrix s Catfish Blues a homage to Muddy Waters and included on the albums BBC Sessions and Blues Hendrix s signature songs Voodoo Chile and Voodoo Child Slight Return evolved from his Catfish Blues 14 Frank Zappa recorded a version of the song at the Record Plant in 1970 The vocals were later wiped and the backing track was then re utilized to create the song Stink Foot on Apostrophe 1974 A rough mix of the original version was posthumously released in 2023 on Funky Nothingness 15 References edit a b Wight Phil Rothwell Fred 1991 The Complete Muddy Waters Discography Blues amp Rhythm No 200 p 39 Palmer Robert 1989 Muddy Waters The Chess Box Box set booklet Muddy Waters Universal City California MCA Records Chess Records p 28 CHD3 80092 a b Herzhaft Gerard 1992 Catfish Blues Encyclopedia of the Blues Fayetteville Arkansas University of Arkansas Press p 442 ISBN 1 55728 252 8 Palmer Robert 1993 Blues Masters Volume 8 Mississippi Delta Blues Album notes Various Artists Los Angeles Rhino Records p 8 R2 71130 a b c Gordon Robert 2002 Can t Be Satisfied The Life and Times of Muddy Waters New York City Little Brown p 101 ISBN 0 316 32849 9 a b c Palmer Robert 1982 Deep Blues New York City Penguin Books p 104 ISBN 0 14006 223 8 a b Hal Leonard 1995 Rollin Stone The Blues Milwaukee Wisconsin Hal Leonard p 176 ISBN 0 79355 259 1 a b Chapple Steve Garofalo Reebee 1977 Rock n Roll Is Here to Pay Chicago Nelson Hall p 37 ISBN 978 0882294377 Chess 1480 Havers Richard 9 November 2018 On the Cover of the Rolling Stone Udiscover Music Retrieved 12 August 2020 Grammy Hall of Fame Awards Past Recipients Grammy org 2000 Retrieved 17 March 2011 The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Rolling Stone No 963 9 December 2004 Retrieved 17 March 2011 Blues Foundation 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees Rollin Stone Muddy Waters Chess 1950 The Blues Foundation Retrieved 8 May 2019 Fairchild Michael J 1994 Jimi Hendrix Blues CD booklet Jimi Hendrix Universal City California MCA Records p 22 MCAD 11060 Travers Joe 2023 Funky Nothingness CD booklet Frank Zappa Universal Music Group Zappa Records p 5 ZR20043 External links editHaymes Max 2004 Catfish Blues Origins of a Blues earlyblues com Retrieved 16 March 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rollin 27 Stone Muddy Waters song amp oldid 1181241368, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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