The refers to the 1977 hard rock version of a traditional African-American work song. While Ram Jam's rendition is the most commercially successful, reaching #18 in the US and top 10 in the UK and Australia, the song has deep historical roots:
: The song was Ram Jam's only major hit before they disbanded in 1978. ram_jam_black_betty_official_audio
: The earliest known recording was an a cappella version captured in 1933 by ethnomusicologists John and Alan Lomax at a Texas state prison, performed by inmate James "Iron Head" Baker . The refers to the 1977 hard rock version