« Got My Mojo Working » is a blues song written by Preston « Red » Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole in 1956.
Muddy Waters popularized it in 1957 and the song was a feature of his performances throughout his career. It was covered by many (Gator) Blues artists.
A mojo is an amulet or talisman (or magical power) associated with Hoodoo, an early African-American folk-magic belief system, (see also Voodoo or Vaudoun).
If in Ann Cole’s original version, the mojo can be used by women, in Waters’ later cover the mojo’s male possessor uses it clearly to gain sexual power over women.
There are many more covers: Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley…
I got my Mojo working
Original Lyric by Preston Foster
I want to love you so till I don't know what to do I got my black cat bones all pure and dry I got my 4 leaf clovers all hanging high I got my Mojo working but it just won't work on you I want to love you so till I don't know what to do
And to conclude, here’s a Jazz version…
