Tom Jones – Black Betty

Tom Jones

Tom Jones became one of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the British Invasion. Since the mid-’60s, Jones has sung nearly every form of popular music — pop, rock, show tunes, country, dance, and techno, he’s sung it all. His actual style — a full-throated, robust baritone that had little regard for nuance and subtlety — never changed, he just sang over different backing tracks. On-stage, Jones played up his sexual appeal; it didn’t matter whether he was in an unbuttoned shirt or a tuxedo, he always radiated a raw sexuality which earned him a large following of devoted female fans who frequently threw underwear on-stage. Jones’ following never diminished over the decades; he was able to exploit trends, earning new fans while retaining his core following.

Black Betty

This is TJ, dedicating this song to Leadbelly

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

Shes from Birmingham, bambalam
Way down in Alabama, bambalam
The way she shake that thing, bambalam
Oh she make me sing, bambalam

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

She really get me high, bambalam
You know thats no lie, bambalam
Shes so rock steady, bambalam
Oh shes always ready, bambalam

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

*Electronicish Vocal Interlude*

Oh Black Betty, bambalam
Oh Black Betty, bambalam

Black Betty had a child, bambalam
She swears its mine, bambalam
She must be out of her mind, bambalam
She must think I’m blind, bambalam

Oh Black Betty, bambalam
Oh Black Betty, bambalam
Oh Black Betty, bambalam
Oh Black Betty, bambalam

*Electronic Vocal Interlude*

Monday she got me arrested,
On Tuesday up in jail,
Wednesday my trail was attested,
Thursday she posted my bail,
Friday we went walking,
Saturday I was outta my door,
On Sunday we was talkin,
Back on Monday she pawned all my clothes

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

Shes from Birmingham, bambalam
Way down in Alabama, bambalam
The way she shake that thing, bambalam
Oh she make me sing, bambalam

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

She really get me high, bambalam
You know thats no lie, bambalam
Shes so rock steady, bambalam
Oh shes always ready, bambalam

Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam
Whoa Black Betty, bambalam

*Electronic Vocal Interlude*

Whooooa Black Betty!

Tom Jones – Black Betty