I Ain't Superstitious
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| "I Ain't Superstitious" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Howlin' Wolf | |
| B-side | "Just Like I Treat You" |
| Released | December 1961 – 1962 |
| Recorded | Chicago, December 1961 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 2:55 |
| Label | Chess |
| Songwriter | Willie Dixon |
| Producers |
|
"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 version
| "I Ain't Superstitious" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Jeff Beck Group | |
| from the album Truth | |
| Released | July 29, 1968 |
| Length | 4:53 |
| Label | EMI Columbia (UK) and Epic (US) |
| Songwriter | Willie Dixon |
| Producer | Mickie Most |
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] and was featured in Martin Scorsese's 1995 film Casino.[citation needed]
