Odetta was one of the most influential and beloved folk singers of the 20th century, known for her powerful and soulful voice, her commitment to social justice and civil rights, and her ability to connect with listeners through her music. Throughout her career, which spanned several decades, Odetta recorded a vast and varied body of work that included traditional folk songs, blues standards, and original compositions. Her music spoke to the human experience in all its complexity, from the pain and struggle of discrimination and oppression to the joy and beauty of love and connection.
In this article, we will explore the 10 best Odetta songs of all time, highlighting some of her most iconic and memorable performances. These songs showcase the breadth and depth of Odetta’s musical talents, as well as her ability to capture the spirit of her era and to inspire and uplift listeners with her soulful and emotive voice. Whether you are a longtime fan of Odetta’s music or are discovering her for the first time, these 10 songs are essential listening for anyone interested in the rich and varied history of folk music and social activism in the United States.
1. “Take This Hammer”
“Take This Hammer” is a traditional American folk song that was popularized in the mid-20th century by Odetta, a powerful African-American singer and civil rights activist. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a laborer working on a railroad who is given a hammer and told to “ring it in the morning” and “ring it in the evening,” signaling the start and end of the workday. However, the song’s true meaning lies in its message of struggle and resistance against oppression, as the lyrics call for workers to “take this hammer and carry it to the captain” to demand better treatment and fair wages.
Odetta’s rendition of “Take This Hammer” is characterized by her soulful, powerful voice and her expert use of guitar and banjo accompaniment. The song’s simple melody and repetitive lyrics allow Odetta’s voice to shine through, conveying a sense of determination and defiance in the face of hardship. As a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, Odetta used music as a tool to inspire and empower marginalized communities, and “Take This Hammer” remains a powerful testament to her legacy as a musician and activist.
2. “This Little Light of Mine”
“This Little Light of Mine” is a gospel song that has become an anthem for the civil rights movement in the United States. Odetta, a renowned African-American folk singer and activist, recorded her version of the song in the early 1960s and it quickly became one of her most iconic and beloved performances.
The song’s lyrics encourage listeners to let their light shine, even in the face of darkness and adversity, and to spread love and joy to those around them. Odetta’s powerful and soulful voice brings a sense of passion and urgency to the message of the song, inspiring listeners to stand up for their beliefs and to fight for justice and equality.
3. “Hit or Miss”
“Hit or Miss” is a bluesy folk song that was popularized by Odetta, an influential African-American singer and civil rights activist, in the 1960s. The song’s lyrics speak to the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, with lines like “You can’t tell which way the train went by” and “Life is like a game of poker, you never know what card you’re gonna get.”
Odetta’s rendition of “Hit or Miss” is characterized by her powerful, soulful voice and her expert use of acoustic guitar and banjo accompaniment. The song’s catchy melody and rhythmic structure make it a memorable and engaging listen, while its poignant lyrics offer a message of hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
4. “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”
“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” is a haunting spiritual that has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but Odetta’s rendition stands out as one of the most powerful and emotive versions of the song. The lyrics express a deep sense of sadness and loneliness, with the singer lamenting that they “have no mother, no father, no sister, no brother,” and feeling lost and alone in the world.
Odetta’s performance of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” is characterized by her rich, resonant voice and her sparse, understated accompaniment on guitar. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the full emotional weight of the song’s lyrics to shine through, conveying a sense of profound sorrow and longing.
5.”Waterboy”
“Waterboy” is a traditional American folk song that was popularized in the 1960s by Odetta, a celebrated African-American folk singer and civil rights activist. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a young black man who works as a waterboy for white men in the cotton fields, carrying water to help them endure the grueling heat and labor of their work.
Odetta’s rendition of “Waterboy” is characterized by her powerful, soulful voice and her expert use of acoustic guitar and banjo accompaniment. The song’s stirring melody and rhythmic structure make it a memorable and engaging listen, while its poignant lyrics offer a window into the experiences of African-Americans who worked under conditions of slavery and segregation.
6. “Tomorrow Is a Long Time”
“Tomorrow Is a Long Time” is a folk song written by Bob Dylan in the early 1960s, and later covered by Odetta, a renowned African-American folk singer and civil rights activist. The song’s lyrics speak to the themes of love, loss, and longing, with the singer expressing a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty about the future.
Odetta’s rendition of “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” is characterized by her soulful, powerful voice and her delicate, understated accompaniment on guitar. The song’s gentle melody and lilting rhythm make it a soothing and introspective listen, while Odetta’s nuanced and emotive delivery imbues the lyrics with a sense of profound meaning and depth.
7.”House of the Rising Sun”
“House of the Rising Sun” is a classic folk song that has been covered by countless artists over the years, but Odetta’s rendition stands out as one of the most powerful and haunting versions of the song. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a young person who has fallen into a life of vice and degradation, working in a brothel known as the “House of the Rising Sun.”
Odetta’s performance of “House of the Rising Sun” is characterized by her rich, resonant voice and her bluesy, soulful delivery. The song’s mournful melody and melancholy lyrics evoke a sense of deep sadness and despair, highlighting the tragic consequences of a life lived on the margins of society.
8. “Blues Everywhere I Go”
“Blues Everywhere I Go” is a blues song that was popularized by Odetta, a legendary African-American folk singer and civil rights activist, in the 1960s. The song’s lyrics speak to the themes of heartbreak, loss, and loneliness, with the singer lamenting that she can’t seem to escape the blues no matter where she goes.
Odetta’s rendition of “Blues Everywhere I Go” is characterized by her soulful, powerful voice and her expert use of acoustic guitar and bluesy piano accompaniment. The song’s slow, sultry rhythm and bluesy melody create a mood of melancholy and longing, while Odetta’s emotive delivery brings a sense of raw emotion and authenticity to the lyrics.
9. “Strawberry Fields Forever”
“Strawberry Fields Forever” is a classic song by The Beatles, and Odetta’s cover version of the song stands out as a soulful and powerful interpretation of the iconic tune. The song’s lyrics speak to the idea of a magical place that exists outside of the constraints of everyday reality, with the singer expressing a desire to escape from the world and find peace and happiness.
Odetta’s rendition of “Strawberry Fields Forever” is characterized by her soulful, powerful voice and her hauntingly beautiful arrangement of the song. The song’s hypnotic melody and psychedelic soundscapes create a dreamlike and otherworldly atmosphere, while Odetta’s emotive delivery imbues the lyrics with a sense of profound meaning and depth.
10. Baby, I’m In The Mood for You
“Baby, I’m In The Mood For You” is a bluesy folk song that was popularized by Odetta, a celebrated African-American folk singer and civil rights activist, in the 1960s. The song’s lyrics express a desire for intimacy and connection, with the singer declaring their romantic intentions and expressing a willingness to do whatever it takes to win the heart of their beloved.
Odetta’s rendition of “Baby, I’m In The Mood For You” is characterized by her soulful, powerful voice and her expert use of acoustic guitar and bluesy piano accompaniment. The song’s slow, sultry rhythm and bluesy melody create a mood of desire and longing, while Odetta’s emotive delivery brings a sense of raw emotion and authenticity to the lyrics.