Peak
18
Weeks
17
Score
1,927
Chart Year
1977
Often originally credited to Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, though some recordings predate his. Eventually became Ram Jam’s only recognizable hit.
[Instrumental Intro] [Verse 1] Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Black Betty had a child (bam-ba-lam) The damn thing gone wild (bam-ba-lam) She said "I'm worryin' outta mind" (bam-ba-lam) The damn thing gone blind (bam-ba-lam) I said oh, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) [Instrumental Break] [Verse 2] Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam) You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam) She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam) And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Get it! [Instrumental break 1:32-3:29] [Verse 3] Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) She's from Birmingham (bam-ba-lam) Way down in Alabam' (bam-ba-lam) Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam) Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty (bam-ba-lam) Whoa, Black Betty Bam-ba-laaam, yeah, yeah
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun 11, 1977 | 92 | 34 |
| 2 | Jun 18, 1977 | 81 | 45 |
| 3 | Jun 25, 1977 | 71 | 55 |
| 4 | Jul 2, 1977 | 60 | 66 |
| 5 | Jul 9, 1977 | 47 | 79 |
| 6 | Jul 16, 1977 | 42 | 84 |
| 7 | Jul 23, 1977 | 38 | 88 |
| 8 | Jul 30, 1977 | 31 | 95 |
| 9 | Aug 6, 1977 | 27 | 99 |
| 10 | Aug 13, 1977 | 25 | 101 |
| 11 | Aug 20, 1977 | 20 | 106 |
| 12 | Aug 27, 1977 | 19 | 107 |
| 13 | Sep 3, 1977 | 18 | 108 |
| 14 | Sep 10, 1977 | 34 | 92 |
| 15 | Sep 17, 1977 | 49 | 77 |
| 16 | Sep 24, 1977 | 52 | 74 |
| 17 | Oct 1, 1977 | 72 | 54 |