Added: 4 years ago
From: todd131981
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  • i wish blacks still made music like this instead of the rap crap

  • altro che nirvana...

  • so what if he killed some body Kurt killed himself. Awesome song I wish blacks were still making good music instead of all this cRAP

  • i totally dig

  • this is soooo awesome. thank you. this song is to be played at my funeral.

  • incredible

  • i prefer leadbelly version...he have more feeling and is more dark!

  • yes, he's more dark ;-)

  • does anyone know the orignal to any old folk songs or are they just lost in all the covers and time

  • hahaha at the begining sounds like the adams family!!!! hahahahaha

  • prefiero la de nirvana mil veces

  • why is it evil??

  • i love the 2 versions...but this is the evil one...i prefer this one :)

  • : O :O wow

  • on a lighter note.... I'm going to the Lead Belly Blues Festival, May 9. I love lead belly. he seemed like a cool dude.

  • i just read somewhere that Leadbelly was a murderer..awesome song tho.

  • Very eerie seeing as how this is close to 100 years old, but amazing nonetheless!

  • duh

  • who did he kill?

  • His cousin in law, I think it was in a bar fight or something.

  • Hey mikestu139, don't disrespect. Everyone has done something regrettable in their lifetime. We can't judge a person for a single act they committed in the past, but rather how they made up for it afterward.

  • Yeh we've all killed someone haven't we?! just forgive and forget cos he could play a nice song. Does the same apply to oj simpson. He played som good football so lets forget the whole 'killing his wife' thing!

  • Why does the fact that he killed someone mean that he can't play a good blues song?

    Tis what happens when you sell your soul

  • This isn't originally a Leadbelly song, it originates back to at least the 1870's.

  • I didn't know this was a folk song until my friend told me today. This version is just as good as Kurt's though

  • is there a way to get a copy of the film of Leadbelly playing

  • Yeah..

    /watch?v=htMwu3hF8_E

    =)

  • This is a song by Leadbelly. It is a traditional southern black american folk song thats where the song originates from and thats where Leadbelly originates from. This song was recorded by Leadbelly in 1940 I think. It is Leadbellys song!!!

  • Oh by the way this song is about him precieving his girlfriend cheating on him. him going to jail for abusing her. Its possible that he is also describing how he killed her husband. His head was found in a driving wheel but his body was never found. Possibly hiding out from the cops in the pond, in the ponds where the sun never shines. They find him when its dark. He was a cleaver mother fucker

  • Hi: Just a little correction - he is singing ''in the pines, not ''in the ponds'' and the reference to the person whose head was found in the driving wheel was the girl's father (at least in all of the versions that I have heard) Great song though, any way you sing it!

  • Music now has a different purpose. Making money that is. Everything I hear is God awful imo haha. Touching music isn't manufactured. Good music makes a connection. Listening to your ipod is nice but I would rather get a group of friend and improvise.

  • leadbelly and otis redding, both have inspired generations of fans

  • What disc belong this song?

  • I hate people who say "this version is better" when someone makes a tribute to another band. All versions are different and great (exeption for MCR cover of Queen). This version is awesome, but you gotta love Kurt's unique voice when he screams MY GIRL, MY GIRL...

  • Actually... you don't.

  • In the pines:) 5*****

  • wow

  • i will shiveeeeeeeeer.. :D

  • people dont know about music that sad they think that metallica is the best poor guys they dont know what to listen this days they are yong people that needs to have some music lessons i just to be like those guys but right know i understend music thats why i love this song................

  • what i beatiful song............

    black people are the best...

    they know what to play from blues to jazz thats music mother fu...............

  • I do wish someone would ask me something in this way...

  • Bill Monroe stole this from an American Folk song of the 1870s, typical bluegrass moron stealin shit

  • ok gays thats is an example to keep in your brain kurt cobain play black people songs and my brain is asking why are so many wars out there i am crying realy for some peace only the thing that controlsme is the nirvana songs 'cause is an example of peace why i realy know i am just a mexican..............

  • Id fucking put 327438927423740 positive (y) for u now, but I can only put one. You are one in a million that knows whats Nirvana all about.

  • yea. this just goes to smash the kurt cobain is racist rumors peopl spread. im like no he wasnt. good example is covering a song like this. also he said he is racist against racists. anyway beautiful song. its so deep.

  • Wow, hard to believe this is the first time I've listened to this. The cover of this is easily among the best in Cobain's tracks but this is really amazing, to hear old led belly wailing like that is pretty fucking awesome.

  • i love this song, i appreciate blues more, now i think. glad modern-ish bands are influenced by this kinda music.

  • The originals better. Wow, I was able to say that despite what you said. Guess you're wrong bucky.

  • The greatest EVER his music inspired alot of people and his songs have been recorded by Creedence clearwater revival, Animals ,

    Nirvana, ram jam , spider bait , Johnny Cash and the list goes on

  • what are you chattin about lanesque the music is basicly the same its just a singing voice thats different, you dont need a perfect voice for the blues its what gives it that edge on modern crap and half baked covers

  • exactly. some people are idiots. that comment wasnt nessecary for that eprson to make. im a huge Nirvana fan and both versions of the song are beautiful

  • The man wrote the song!! end of!! these bluesmen were the start of what we all know today musically!!

  • He didn't write it, it's a folk song, it's so old that no one knows who write it.

  • best version by far

  • the blues is the darkest music ever....sooo much misery and pain, these newbies could have a lesson from mr leadbelly.  At least he knows how to emote square from the heart. Cant teach that only can learn from experience.....this is no reply to anyone just my observation and my opinion, not trying to prove anyone wrong

  • I got taught by Billy branch, and blues will never stop being my favorite music, even as a metal head. Its all about this music. This the roots of any sort of american music. No one can deny that blues is our start, in any case.

  • HelloConformity is right, besides, this was kurts favorite song. if you respect kurt, you should respect and admire everything that he likes. So if anyone hates one either of these guys you suck and should die, however if you are into leadbelly and older blues and you dont like the kurt version thats okay because you still have a matter of opinion. personaly i love the kurt version.

  • just because you respect someone doesn't mean you HAVE to admire everything they like. i would say you have a twisted outlook on life if you believe the crap you say.

  • I know this is an odd question that I can't rightly expect anyone to answer, but does anyone know if this was played on a twelve string?

  • i think he only used a 12 string but i could be mistaken....i know thats what he was famous for

  • I wasn't saying Kurt's version was bad, but it was not better than the original. When I first seen this on MTV's unplugged I was surprised. I'm not 80 years old and yes I do listen to metal. These early artists were the early pioneers of what we listen to today. Its their early riffs and chords that brought rock, metal and grudge what it is. Some of you guys need to grow up, blues music has been around for the last 80 years, where is grunge today.

  • cant we just enjoy music...like really

  • regardless whether you prefer kurt's version or leadbelly's, you have to respect this version in that kurt's would exist without it.

  • seanny lead

  • dony worrynboh

  • If you don't think leadbelly was a good guitarist listen to his recording of a tune called fanin street.

  • Your opinion is just as right as his. It's all personal preference. shut the fuck up and listen to what you like..

  • Yeah fck u Kurt Cobain is amazing, Leadbellys original version is really good

  • Shoot man, if you's don't like that ole like that, hot-damn, man. Not only is you a dude don't like black people, you suck d*ck wit yo ass. How it is now, got-damnit?

  • Kurt version is good, but come on it does not come close to Lead Belly's. You kids need to start listening to some of this great early pre -war blues. Get yourself some Skip James, Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and even some Josh White. You will find out there was a whole other world of music out there. And don't forget Charlie Parker.

  • ok???, and u need to find some metal, like Pantera, Metallica, Slipknot, Korn, even some Bloodhoundgang, even the bloods arnt really metal

  • Bloody hell, I love what Kurt did but seriously let's be reasonable, this is the shit !! Without this, there would have been no Bo, no Chuck, no Elvis, no Stones no etc.

    This is beautiful.

    Much Love

    Xx

  • Huddie William Ledbetter or lead belly as he was known has influenced pearl jam, nirvana, led Zeplin, the list is too long to name. He was from Louisiana. almost every "great" rock musician in the last 50 years has been influenced by Louisiana music. . that's why you saw the outcry for support from so many musicians when Katrina happened. now its like we have been forgotten again. Time passes slower on the bayou, and it gives us a chance for perspective. the world needs to take a lesson from us

  • I wouldn't refer to this as shit, these folk songs had a big impact on music.

  • i´m soorry man it´s not my foult that you are 80 years old, leadbelly was good but kurt it´s amazaing don´t you denny

  • Im sorry that your an idiot, this statement "leadbelly was good but kurt is amazaing" was the point I was trying to make in the first place. Btw im 15.

    Also lol at Slipknot and Korn being metal. Pantera and Metallica arn't even good examples of metal either, no your generes buddy.

  • you will go to hell pretty soon for those comments, you are probably living in hell already in your head with those kinds of thoughts, Nazi. I bet it's awful in your mind, all dark and evil, it must be hell for you, pure torture.

  • Fuck you man, just because Kurt covered Leadbelly doesnt mean he tried out doing him. When you cover something it's because you admire them. If you had talent maybe you could make something as great as Leadbelly or Kurt, but that would involve you getting your ass off the internet and creating art, something you and your incapable mind could never do.

  • hahahahaha

  • your the most stupid ignorant person i could ever imagine

  • hahahahaha

  • and you are an ignorant homophobe

  • que coisa mais linda!

  • this feeling is damn hard!!

    my girl tell me where did you sleep last night...

    why ?

  • Excelente!!!!!!!!!!

    Nada que ver a la mierda que hizo NIrvana.

    Saludos

  • Excelente.

    Muito bem

  • You know nothing.

  • how could it be a cover by nirvana.this song was wrot in like 1945

  • It's on their acoustic tapes. Songs don't die. I could cover Mozart if I felt like it.

  • amazing!!!!!!!

  • Everybody, check out the Long John Baldry Interpretation of this song it`s excelent!

  • The original sounds better in it's right context, but Cobain's cover is a decent tribute to it.

  • Rock/Pop came from guy's like Leadbelly, Cobain was a pale interpretaion.

  • In my opinion, Kurt had a whole different take on the song.

    Anyone who likes Leadbelly or Robert Johnson has GOTTA check the 2 'Collapsy Joe' vids I have on my channel. Watch the second one first. The 'Blues Dance' clip is quite good.

    Oh, and check out the rest of my stuff too!

  • timeless

  • simplement beautiful

  • I love it!

  • just gotta show leadbelly some love. thank you huddie ledbetter.

  • i like both versions... but i like kurt's voice though... just my opinion

  • yeah... leadbelly and, in fact, most artists from that era, have bad voices but I have mad respect for them cuz they inspired people like cobain.

  • i do like kurts version of this song. This song works for both artists. To me, they are two different songs between them.

  • the original! and what a life leadbelly lived!excellent...go h'iontach !!!

    (as gaeilge!)Greetings from Ireland..Eire

  • lol never seen irish on a youtube comment go raibh mile mile maith agat

  • excellent !

    merci !

  • thanx nat. i think sometimes its worth to listen to more than one version of just one song. cause sometimes different versions complement each other that good so that you can get a better acces to the songs meaning , i mean phenomenologically from a philosophical point of view. in the case of "where did you sleep" i just have to say that both versions are great an should be recognized.

  • Obie, no need to decide. There very different versions, but both are awesome. Just enjoy each for what it is. A GREAT song.

  • Leadbelly put the grisgris on Cobain

  • realy dickson111??????????

    leadbelly's so cool

    ....use this power thats been thrusted upon you well grasshoper.....

  • don't worry i am a good samaritan and will honour your request

  • i am leadbellys grandchild and hence possess his great guitar/woman shagging abilities.

  • hey men , both versions are great. to create the original is as difficult as doing such a great interpretation as kurt cobain did with nirvana... it s just great music. normally i like the originals more but there are some records which are better in the cover version or just as interesting , like train kept a rollin from yardsbirds/aerosmith / all along the watchtower dyland/hendrix or whatever...

    i think in these cases both records are great..

  • Well said BerlinRock79, to a point. Creating a great song is without doubt more dificult than performing it. Covers are sometimes much better than the original artist that wrote and performed them. You named 2 excellent examples. I agree both versions are great, Cobain does sound better to me. At the same time Hubbie Ledbetter is awsome also, but in a different way.

  • i think its best just to see leadbelly and nirvanas versions of the song as just two entiry different songs. both are great on their own merits, but both are very different styles and so its hard to say which is objectivly best

  • Well said. I like Cobains cover better but there both great. Kuut did have a lot of help though. Better recording equipment, good back up people etc. So hard to write a great song. Stands to reason in time most great songs can be covered well if not better as technolgy improves. Kurt did add a new demininsion to this, such great vocals. It is like a different song. I'm glad Kurt did it his own style.

  • Ok,guys,here´s my opinion:

    I think Hendrix´s version of "All along the Watchtower" is better than Dylan´s(witch doesn´t mean that I don´t like Bob!!!)

    And I think that Cobain´s version of "Where did you sleep last night" is better than Leadbelly´s(But I gotta say,Nirvana is my fav. band ever and I still like Leadbelly)

    So please people,don´t get mad and come down again

    PEACES

  • yeah man, how can you go wrong with hendrix? he put so much soul into his song's.

  • cobain had to add to his cover . the blues is sometimes hard and loud, but this song should never be sang like that. leadbelly sang it to the girl and I think she got the message very clearly his cool intact. black betty was covered by ram jam I believe. why don't you guys keep sniveling. it's kinda funny to read. Listen to Jimmie Rodgers' "gambling barroom blues" or memphis minnie (Lizzie Douglas) "down in the alley". Let's see who can cover those and do Minnie even half as good.

  • A lot of songs did the rounds among players/singers around Leadbelly's time. So what is original? Who cares. This is though. Rather listen to it all on original 10" vinyl. You'll never beat a real deal.

  • peace brotha

  • Leadbelly's version is amazing, but to say Nirvana's wasn't is absolute bull shit. Kurt brought a raw intensity and excruciating pain and passion to it, and made the song legendary. Both versions are different, but to say one is actually superior is just plain ignorant.

  • i love Leadbelly he was a great guy and amazing guitarist.

  • thanks lead belly

  • regardless of a talentless psycho or assualts if this man didn't exist, we would have lost out on a lot dylan wouldn't have existed the way he does same with the whole generation of music that was developed during those times ccr were greatly influenced by lead belly, so if you think he was a crazy bad man oh well because hundreds didn't, also many other people from his time were the ones influenceing the whole generation that came next and i thank those "psychopathic's"

  • without leadbelly there would be no bob dylan or led zeppelin, not to mention various songs by nearly every artist from nirvana to those guys that did Black Betty. i forget the band who im thinking of, but anyways, you get the picture. he basically is the father or modern music, as he wrote half the songs that are out today!

  • boils2 before you start chatting shit about him being a psycho. He only killed one person and claimed it to be a mistake (it was a drucken bar fight). I also don't think you grasp how the environment effected him. Viloent times make violent people and he was born in 1889 meaning he grew up during perhaps the most diffcult time to be a black man in the deep south, racism was at its peak as were the KKK so he had to be tough to survive.

  • Also be more respectul to his music, with out him all that type of music, there would be no Nivarna or any of the popular music of today or the later part of the 20th centrey.

  • Amen!

  • that's directed at 2pacinseattle...

  • Leadbelly was not a psychopath. He spent alot of time in jail mostly for assaults.

    And If memory corrects me he killed a relative of his over a woman.

  • cuz sometimes it's hoes way before bro's even when the're a relative

  • stupid comment

  • Why is this guy a psychopath? What did he do, I don't have an extensive Leadbelly knowledge, lol?

  • He didn't do anthing wrong 11R14192s. Unfotnately he was often around clumsy people that ran into knife's he was holding while making dinner. Accidents do happen.

  • C'est absolument sublime!

  • This song is easier to play then any hendrix song i know...

  • Dylan, Hendrix whoopee Now this man here is GOD. He used to sing for his parole. Did you know that Ledbelly murdered a man and was doing ife and sang for his freedom? man, this dude fucking lived. He was in the chain gangs. Heavy dude but a brilliant blues man.

  • how simple the voice, how universal the message, how profane the posted comments seem to find a lowest common denominator. Let Hendrix be... and find solace in the humanity of these words

  • so eerie, i love it.. even cobain did this song justice

  • I liked this version but I also like Kurts version better, with that voice it just sounded 10 times more sad. As far as All along the Watchtower, Hendrix rocked it, very uptempo and rocking and the solo was just badass but Dylans version definatly suited the content of the song better. Also agree with you dylan it's very sad what people listen to nowadays and don't appreciate the actual art of music unlike now.

  • "All along the Watchtower" is most commonly attributed to be a Bob Dylan song, even though it was Penned by Richie Havens.

  • xD thats all i have to say is "xD"

  • I really love leadbelly.... his awsome

  • I prefere the Cobain vertion, but this one not's bad! :P

  • kurt cobain expressed many times that his favorite musician was lead belly... so anyone who claims that cobain's version of the song is better than lead belly's... come on...

  • thats a dumb comment.

    hendrixs favorite artist was bob dylan and hendrixs version of all along the wathctower is by far better then dylans.

    so you made a dumb comment

  • well... i actually like dylan's version better... it's art... it's music... its all opinionated... so just chill out...

  • How can you compare a grunge interpretation to its 1945 blues inspiration? Way to go, guys.

  • dont fucking compare them for fucks sake Kurt was inspired by it so he covered it he never said "I'm so much fucking better" everyone one especially kurt knew a Cover is never better than the orginal

  • ahem....... hendrixs version of all along the watchtower is better then dylans so be quiet. oh yeah, hendrix is better then page 2.

  • aw page is also good :(

  • I beg to differ, a cover can be better than the original, especially if they add something new to it and revolutionize it in their own way.

  • just perfect!!!

  • stop comparing nirvana's version to leadbelly's. of course they are different so keep your opinions to yourself. noone gives a shit which version you like more.

  • I wish more pop(ular) "artists" these days had the BALLS to dig alllll the way to our "dinosaur"-age of music & cover great 20s-40s songs & get the younger kids into ACTUAL music. But nah. Commercial artists don't like losing money. I'm glad Nirvana, as commercial as they were & are, had the balls to introduce people to Leadbelly. I just hope they get even more curious & dig along Leadbelly's contemporaries. Why don't people use their money & fame for restoring good music? Ah well. RIP LB.

  • Well, if it makes you feel better, Cobain did blow his head off because he felt shitty about being at all commercial.

  • For the longest time I thought there was no Santa Claus..Until April 5th :3

  • did you know that kurt would bow down to leadbelly,one of his greatest influences?

  • It doesn't need to be "restored" as you're saying. Why should music have to be "restored" just because younger kids don't hear it on the radio?? Are they just sitting there with their mouths open like chicks saying "Feed Me". If people are passionate about music they will search these artists out and discover the music for themselves. We need new music not covers. Some covers are amazing but new artists should create their own

  • New music has been created for the past 8 years..Which...Is not a good sign. Heh, I was out of line saying 'restored' but you can't deny that people's lack of interest in the older stuff (I'm talkin' 30s-60s here, ol' style) is severely hurting our decade. Atleast for people who prefer LB to MCR or Beatles to Metallica or whatnot. New artists should but we know all about influence & blahblahblahhiimramblingwannag­oout, nice though.

  • I can play this awesome song

  • noone gives a shit...its easier than hell

  • not as haunting as Cobain, but still amazing.