Track 3 from their fourth album “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits” released in 1974 copyright Warner Bros. Records and recorded at Warner Bros. Studios in North Hollywood, Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco and Burbank Studios. The first single released was “Another Park, Another Sunday” which reached No. 32 on the Billboard chart. Next came “Eyes of Silver” which didn’t do very well. Hoping for more success, the record company released the single “Nobody” from the band’s first album recorded in 1971 but it only reached No. 58. However, radio stations soon discovered “Black Water” and more and more DJ’s began playing it on a regular basis. It was then released as a single and became the band’s first No. 1 hit, selling over a million copies. Bill Payne of “Little Feat” again guested on keyboards and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter played pedal steel guitar on one song. The album received above average reviews and was one of their most successful, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard chart. It achieved Gold status within two months, Platinum in 1986 and 2X Platinum in 2001. Written by Tom Johnston and produced by Ted Templeman. RIP James Booker, Milt Holland, Keith Knudsen, Michael Hossack & Wayne Jackson. Featuring:
Tom Johnston – Lead vocals, lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars & background vocals
Patrick Simmons – Lead vocals, lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars & background vocals
Tiran Porter – Bass & background vocals
John “Little John” Hartman – Drums & background vocals
Michael Hossack – Drums
Special Guests:
Bill Payne – Hammond B-3 organ, piano, clavinet & synthesizer
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – Pedal steel on “Tell Me What You Want (And I’ll Give You What You Need)
James Booker – Piano on “Down in the Track”
Arlo Guthrie – Autoharp & harmonica
Eddie Guzman – Congas & timbales
Milt Holland – Tabla, marimba, pandeira & percussion
The Memphis Horns
Wayne Jackson – Trumpet
Andrew Love – Tenor sax
James Mitchell – Baritone sax
Jack Hale – Trombone
Novi Novog – Viola on “Spirit” & “Black Water”
Keith Knudsen – Background vocals
Ted Templeman – Percussion
On a crosstown bus in the city, I spied a lady all dressed in black
High-heeled shoes and her dress cut loose, her front was saggin’ outta the rack
(I believe, I believe, that the lady’s gonna bring me luck)
(I believe, I believe that the lady’s gonna bring me) luck
Driver, won’t you stop this crazy machine and let my feet out and touch the ground
Gotta lay me a line on the lady before she walks down the street too far
(I believe, I believe that the lady’s gonna bring me luck)
(I believe, I believe that the lady’s gonna bring me) luck
That’s right, yes she has, yes she has
Watch me work it now
(I believe, I believe that the lady’s gonna bring me luck)
(I believe, I believe that the lady’s gonna bring me) luck
I know she’ll bring some luck