Seventh Sonby Mose Allison
Songfacts®:
- This was written by the legendary Blues songwriter Willie Dixon, who often wrote about mystical themes in his songs like "Hoochie Coochie Man." Dixon explained to Paul Zollo in a 1988 interview: "The seventh son is part of the scriptures of the Bible. 'The seventh son of the seventh son born on the seventh hour of the seventh day of the seventh month.' I was born in the seventh month and I was the seventh child of my family."
Mose Allison told Zollo: "I thought that was a great song of that type. One of the common things is to feel that you are supernatural sometimes. And most people have felt that at one time or another." (this appears in Zollo's book Songwriters On Songwriting)
Comments: 1
- Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 30th 1965, Johnny Rivers' covered version of "Seventh Son" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #63; four weeks later on June 27th, 1965 it would peak at #7 {for 3 weeks} and stayed on the chart for 11 weeks...
And on July 19th, 1965 it reached #1 {for 1 week} on the Canadian RPM Singles chart...
Between 1964 and 1977 he had twenty-nine Hot Top 100 records; eight made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Poor Side of Town" for one week in 1966...
He just missed having a second #1 record when his debut record, "Memphis", peaked at #2* {for 2 weeks} in 1964...
Johnny Rivers, born John Henry Ramistella, will celebrate his 73rd birthday in six months on November 7th {2015}...
* The first week "Memphis" was at #2, the #1 record was "I Get Around" by the Beach Boys; and for its second week at #2 "Rag Doll" by the Four Seasons was in the top spot.
More Songfacts:
Helter SkelterThe Beatles
The first version of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" was a 27-minute jam, so you can imagine what Ringo was going through pounding away on drums. To convince the guys he needed a break, he screamed, "I've got blisters on my fingers!" This was included on the fadeout.
No More DramaMary J. Blige
The Mary J. Blige song "No More Drama" samples the theme to the appropriately dramatic soap opera The Young And The Restless.
Let's DanceDavid Bowie
David Bowie's "Let's Dance" is about more than just dancing. It's about dishonesty, particularly when we mask our true feelings.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)John Lennon
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is based on billboards John Lennon and Yoko Ono posted two years earlier declaring "War Is Over! If You Want It."
Instant KarmaJohn Lennon
"Instant Karma" is one of John Lennon's most hopeful songs, written and recorded in one day at a time when he felt people were pulling together in a positive direction.
Editor's Picks
Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews
Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.
N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing
How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.
Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews
The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.
Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews
An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.
Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews
Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.
David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews
The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.