That song probably generated a million dollars in speeding tickets.

This song turns every middle age dad into a Nascar driver when it hits.

Maybe it's because I graduated from High School in 1972, but I think we had the best music growing up. Starting with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones right up to the mid to late 70's. Love your reaction to this. Thanks for helping prove that music is the one thing that unites us all.

We boomers are so grateful to have grown up with thee best music on the planet. That's why we play it twice, 🤣 60s 70s and 80s

“The lead singer looks like if mountain dew was a person.” To directly quote one of my favorite comments on any KZfaq video ever.

Saw a golden comment on this vid not long ago. "They spent $10 to make this video and that was to buy the weed..." LOL!

I was in High School went Black Betty came out, perfect timing for us. Great memories for that period of being a mature kid in high school. Skipping school, going from Pennsylvania to across the NY state border, to Cuddebackville, New York, to hang out at a local swimming hole with those Cuddebackville, New York kids! Great times! Oh Black Betty!!!

Classic.. we would blast that in the car and everybody would smiling, jumping in our seats! One of my favorites even decades later!

This is the music you get when you prioritize talent over looks.

With the world in a fritz, I’m glad there’s still wholesome people not forgetting the joys in life. I’m a Asian/African-American watching a African American watching Caucasian Americans playing a song in their backyard. This is what matters.

The guitar & the whole beat of this song is off the charts ..an old favourite,.love it !!

"You can take your talent everywhere." That a great quote Jamel, inspired by some guy in his back yard playing some amazing guitar! - I used to tell my students: "The Man can steal your money; Mr. Slick can steal your honey; Gravity steals your health & pretty face; but no one can erase your talent & education."

hi. I am a 62 year old grandmother,I just love watching y'all youngins reactions to popular songs from my era.

If you hear Ram Jam in a movie, someone's about to catch an ass whoop'n.

My Dad's Coast Guard buddy played Black Betty while we were all out on his boat. He told me if this song didn't move you there was no music in your soul.

There is an extended version with an amazing instrumental in the middle. ALSO / thank you for being one of my favorite reactors, because I had to go through three horrible ones to this song before I got to you. THANK YOU!!!

Leadbelly released this song in the 30's, which is probably why it slaps so hard. Props to Ram Jam for putting some sick energy on it.

This house is at 295 Jerusalem Ave Hicksville NY 11801, and filmed in the front yard. The house was built in 1924. :)

As others have commented, Leadbelly was the original artist. His version was about the chain gangs smashing rocks to make asphalt, which comes out black. The Ram Jam singer always said he was thinking about Bettie Page when he sang it. She was a gorgeous pin-up girl in the 60s. Some people say Bettie Page was the original "Goth Girl". She was FINE!

There you go, brother...it's called, "old school," this song was written and performed a good while back and it's still loved by those of us who grew up at that time. I'm glad that you liked it.

"Black Betty" was a cadence sung by black confederate soldiers during the civil war. Black Betty was a rifle made in Birmingham, Alabama. The company that made the gun made an "improved model", hence "Black Betty had a child". They hated the new rifle because it didn't shoot straight. Hence, "damned thing gone wild". Ram Jam put music to the 160 year old cadence. BY: tommonteck

"...I wish it was longer." -You ...and everyone else who has ever heard this song.

I Love this song! No matter what mood I’m in, this always gets me rockin’! There are some talented musicians in this band.

Your reaction was 2:25 of greatness! Feeling that flow. Made me smile. 😁 It's cool to see someone jamming out for the first time, to a song I know so well. Glad you enjoyed it!

After all these years this song just continues to age like fine wine..

That's a whole lot of talent in that backyard.

I remember vividly, where I heard that song first time. Back end of the 70th in our small disco, which also functioned as a movie theatre. All the handbangers were totally freaking out, when Black Betty was on. Thank you so much for bringing back those times and for your always honest and heartfelt reactions. You got most of my back in the days favorites covered. It is great to be part of your travel in time. Thank you so much 🤘🤘💞💘

Your smile :) You are one of the nicest people I've seen on KZfaq, we was smiling all through the video. Talking about infectious.

Just blows my mind you can truly appreciate so many types of music! I'm 68 and because of your channel I'm appreciating the music i grew up with more than i ever did! We just kinda took it for granted as it was what it was. Thanx so much for your channel.

This video was brought to you by Marijuana, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Evan Williams. P.S. Aunt Janet is still pissed about her yard 45 years later, her neighbor Bob is still complaining about the noise, and three of the people in this video are still high today.

Jamal, I've watched several of your reviews. Really love your kind and intelligent energy and commentary, have subscribed, of course. Bless you, my friend!

I really enjoy your videos, seeing you rocking it just makes me smile 😄

This song is a freely rocking adaptation of Leadbelly’s Black Betty. From around 1930. It’s an old slave holla type thing. No instruments. Just clapping. Look it up. It’s amazing!

I don't understand how anyone can get to their 20's without hearing this song even by accident.

I've always loved this song and think I always will, they was definitely a head of there time with there stile of music, it is a master peace that I don't think will ever get old. I've posted this song lots of times over a few year's, also there lyrics can be taken and used in a few ways, but nomatter what they are brilliant. If they brought this song out today or even within the last few years it would be an even bigger hit than way back when they produced this master piece. Its a tune that will always cheer you up and get you want to start dancing. Hopefully the more it get posted on the web etc then the younger generation will get to here it and eventually this master piece will start getting played in clubs etc,

Jamal love your reaction videos. great to see you get into the grove of all the music you listen too, no matter what the genre is. You listen to any genre without prejudice. You obviously have a huge spectrum of which you react from. keep up the great work, pleasure to watch your channel. All the way from Nottingham in England

The musicianship in the 70s is unparalleled in my humble opinion.

He was wrong on what it cost to make it, the weed probably wasn't free.

I could spend an An hour or two every night listening and watching everyone's reaction for just this song ! Love the song and love watchin everyone's reaction to this song ! #KEEP EM COMIN

This song make you want more. Great jam song. Your reaction is priceless.

You know it's good when the lead singer successfully rocks mullet and bangs simultaneously. Legendary.

Man you guys have no idea what you missed in the seventies! That we didn't have cellphones but we had damn good music! P.S. thanks for all the up votes! We didn't know how good we had it did we? When I compare the way music and the world is now to the way the world was then I just shake my head. To be honest I let it make me feel sad.

Love your commentary. This is a great song, which I remember from back in the day. The backyard setup is both humorous and self-deprecating, in a good way! "Hey, we can make great music in the backyard!" Whoo Hoo, let's do it! Any, great vocals, killer guitar line....

Actually, Jamel, the band is Ram Jam, and the song title is “Black Betty.” It was always introduced by radio DJ’s as “Bam-A-Lam Black Betty!” Or “Black Betty Bam-A-Lam!” Because of the group singing Black Betty Bam-A-Lam, so it was introduced using Bam-A-Lam many times. “Black Betty” was a 20th-century African-American work song often credited to Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter as the author. There are said to be many versions of this folk song, A capella, folk, rock, etc. Ram Jam who was a rock band from the 1970s did their rendition of the song which became a hit in 1977, and is still a big hit with listeners. Soon after the band released a single which was titled “Keep Your Hands On The Wheel,” which was another popular single by them. People tend to think the title is Ram Jam Black Betty, but not so. I really enjoy your reactions and comments to the music I grew up with. You are born out of your time.

"This songs video cost about free dollars." that legit made me laugh.. good joke..

"Cost free dollars." I peed.

I always love the guy dancing by himself in the back on the left! AWESOME stuff! Great reaction!

Your videos show that music crosses over and reaches all kinds of people and race doesn't matter!! Music is the Great Language that brings people together!!

What a great channel! No race or politics here, just people coming together and appreciating music!!

When musicians were not promoted for their looks or their clothes.

After listening to the Commodores' Brick house, I stumbled on the "backyard" video, and then you - what a great & lovely sequence of events. Life is good, folks (even if hard & bad sometimes or frequently).

The more you grin and groove with the music the more I smile!!!! You are awesome!!!!

When your dad says he was in a band back in the 70s.

this is exactly how we looked and dressed and hung out together...this is It!!!!!!!!!!

Never saw this video before but this song has captivated me (as well as millions of others) since the ‘70s whenever I heard it.

I just watched this for like the 5th time haha... I think this is my favorite reactions of yours. Just smilin'.. thanks

This song is truly a JAM. No clue how everyone wasn't dancing as hard as the band.

One of the most under-appreciated rock song of all-time!

I love ❤ that song 🎵. Great musicianship too. Great reaction

thinking about your live session yesterday, this at 1.7 million views on day one. good for you mate, then again it is Black Betty ^^

The lead singer was in the Lemon Pipers in the sixties..."My green Tambourine"

Unfortunately they were a one hit wonder but the song is legendary

I remember that this song was played in all French bars and nightclub in 1991. Thanks Jamel for this flashback, it was pleasant to listen it again ! I appreciate your work. Greetings from France. Djamel

Jamal - been a subscriber for well over a year bro and love your gig. Living in Thailand and spreading the word about your channel and encouraging friends to subscribe. You cover all music and spread the love. Great role model for everyone with a positive vibe. Peace brother. Keep workin' it!

This song has a long and storied history my friend. Its actually a very old marching chant sung by soldiers. Black Betty refers to a favored model of musket. The line "black betty had a child. The damn thing gone wild" refers to the successor to this rifle which was hated by soldiers. "The damn thing gone blind" refers to the rifle being inaccurate and throwing shots everywhere. Bam balam is the sound of the soldiers' volley of fire. The line "she's so rock steady and she's always ready" again refers to the reliability of the gun. Hope you found this interesting. You should look up the OLDEST known recording of this song from the turn of the century. EDIT: Also this song has many different versions of the lyrics. They were modified and added to over the years with some arguing this has ascribed many different meanings to the song. However the original meaning holds true. It's about a rifle.

2 minute song that still resonates 50 years later.

I played this quite it bit going through Mississippi and Alabama on a recent road trip. This is the anthem for driving fast in the South!

This JUST came up in my suggestion list and....I dang near spit my wine out when Jamel said the video probably costs, "FREE DOLLARS" 😂😂🤣🤣😭😭😭

I'm that guy in the back on the left. Contributing nothing but having a wild time.

damn, this singer is playing the riff and the solo at the same time. What a legend

It's so fun to watch new ears and eyes getting into songs that I know too well. Do more :) !

One of the best ever dance songs in the world!!! Enjoyed your reactions..

Such a great track, a 70's masterpiece.

So, I am old enough to remember when it first came out. The other day it got stuck in my head and I had ALEXA play it :) So here is the full history of the song. The chorus (oh Black Betty, Bamalam) has been around since the Revolutionary war (not Civil), however the lyrics changed many times over the years. It was originally a marching song. And they were singing about a musket that was painted black. It was manufactured in Birmingham, England. (it was then followed by Brown Bess) It may have been sung in the Civil war too. Next it reappears in 1933 sung by a 63 year old, James "Iron head" Baker who was in Prison on a chain gang. He was recorded in the field by US "musicologists" John and Alan Lomax. He performed a cappella with other convicts singing back up. The Lomaxes were recording for the Library of Congress. They recorded several versions. It was thought at that time that "Black Betty" was a whip used on the convicts. In 1939, LeadBelly re-recorded his own version and then finally in the early 1970's Bill Bartlett, a fan of LeadBelly, reworked the song and added two additional verses. He was the first guitarist of Ram Jam. He later left the band and took the song with him. His version of Black Betty is about whiskey/ moonshine. It was either Leadbelly or Bartlett that added the "down in Alabam". ( I think it was Bartlett, but not sure.) So there you have it!

Hey, Thats a Les Paul Guitar the singer is Playing. Les Paul asked Gibson Guitar company to make for him. A lot of talented guitar players use This Les Paul Guitars. Rock On. Great job for this Jamel AKA Jamal Is doing (ALWAYS)

Love how you enjoy all genres bro!!! Love watching your videos. Keep it up!!!

Welcome to 70s music, brother! Everyone is ugly as hell and plays their ass off 😂😂

This video proves: A good song is a good song even in the backyard 😁

Never seen this before,awsome..wish it was longer though. Hi from the U.K.

I just found your channel tonight. Your reactions are sometimes funny and always genuine. But your appreciation of music is awesome.

"Black Betty" was the name of a famous moonshine still. The reference to a child was another still made from parts of Black Betty. Apparently some of the parts had something wrong with them or some of the ingredients for the moonshine were bad and were reported to cause blindness in those that drank it.

This song, believe it or not, is actually an old tune written by Leadbelly.

Your reaction videos are my absolute fave!!!!☺️

This song was heavily featured in Johnny Depps 2001 movie “BLOW”, it was about the ex drug kingpin “Boston George”(rest in peace)

Having grown up in the 70's all I can say is I miss the good ol' days.

Kids, this was pre-MTV. No money was spent on music videos back then (when bands even had them).

Takes me back to riding with my dad, in the 70's as a kid. He would go wild and slide all over the place listening to this!

He was shredding that guitar within an inch of its life. He looks a little frightening at the end. Intense crazy eyes.🧡

They had to cut it short, mom was going to be hone in a few minutes. She said no friends over.

This was an OLD blues tune, goes back to "Lead Belly" ( Huddie Ledbetter)

@Jamel_AKA_Jamal I have watched this video so many times. 1. Because it's such a great tune and video. 2. Most of all, I love your reaction and realizing it's such a great tune and video! Thank you for being a good human and spreading good vibes and positivity!

New sub here, truly nothing like old-school..love your channel and the memories ohhhh yea

Producer: "Hey what budget do you need for the music video" RJ: "200 bucks" Producer: "How are you gonna make a music video with $200?" RJ: "We're just gonna play the song in Steven's backyard" Producer: "Well.... then what are the 200 bucks for?" RJ: "Weed."

Seeing your face when the dude first opened his mouth and sang was beautiful and priceless.

I really enjoyed your reaction to the song. Your energy is awesome ❤😂😅🫶🏼🙌🏽

Dude, I listen to the songs you're reviewing and it takes me back to high school.

Ned Flanders with a Mullet just kicking it.

I was in a country bar in Texas in the 90's and they played this song! The cowboys/cowgirls went wild on the dance floor.

Always great to see somebody enjoying jams for the first time that I did some 40+ years earlier.

I love watching my black brothers and sisters watching this video. Black betty is a beauuttttyyyyy. Love the video Jamel