1926 song performed by Blind Lemon Jefferson
"That Black Snake Moan" is a song written and recorded by American country blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson.[1] Inspired by singer Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues", the song was released on Paramount Records in 1926, and has since become recognized as a signature composition which exemplifies Jefferson's unconventional melodic style and utilization of double entendres.[1] The song was re-recorded a year later as "Black Snake Moan" for Okeh Records,[1] and both versions have remained accessible through the availability of several compilation albums.
Background
During the 1920s, Paramount Records were in-demand for customers of genuine country blues recordings. Blind Lemon Jefferson had been performing across Texas and the Mississippi Delta since 1912 and garnered a considerable following.[2] Jefferson was signed to Paramount in 1925 as a result of one of two proposed scenarios: pianist Sammy Price recommended him to the label or Paramount music director Arthur C. Laibly discovered Jefferson performing on Dallas streets.[2][3] Regardless, a talent scout recorded demos with Jefferson and the singer traveled to Chicago to record his first official sides: a pair of gospel tunes under the pseudonym Deacon L. J. Bates. Sales were strong, prompting further sessions with Jefferson in 1926.[4]
In his third session for Paramount, Jefferson recorded "That Black Snake Moan", along with "Black Horse Blues", "Corina Blues", and "Jack O' Diamond Blues".[3] Riddled with sexual nuances, lyrically "That Black Snake Moan" was explicit with its intentions, with lines such as "Mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room / And some pretty mama had better come and get this black snake soon".[5] Record producer J. Mayo Williams recalled Jefferson was "just as cool and collected as any artist I've ever seen" as they carried out the session.[2] Indeed, Jefferson's calm and collected persona coupled with high-pitched howls added to the song's sexual innuendo.[3] Jefferson was inspired to compose the song after singer Victoria Spivey enjoyed success with "Black Snake Blues", a tune that Spivey insists was not intended to have the same sexual innuendo as Jefferson's "That Black Snake Moan".[6]
"That Black Snake Moan" was first released on Paramount in October 1926.[7] Jefferson re-recorded another version of the song for Okeh Records, which was closely related to the original rendition, but also had superior sound quality.[2] This version, titled simply "Black Snake Moan", was released in March 1927 along with another well-known Jefferson tune "Matchbox Blues".[7] The composition has remained relatively accessible throughout the years, appearing on Jefferson compilation albums such as The Immortal Blind Lemon, Black Snake Moan, and King of the Blues.[8]
