Pop Rock

This song about the man with special powers was written by legendary blues musician, songwriter, arranger, and record producer  Willie Dixon. The reference is to the seventh son of the seventh son born on the seventh hour of the seventh day of the seventh money. Dixon himself was the seventh child in his family and born in the seventh month.  The first recording of the song was by Willie Mabon in 1955. Johnny Rivers’ cover was released as a single and on his 1965 album Meanwhile Back at the Whisky à Go Go. In 1965, the song rose to #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 in Canada. The song has had many covers, including versions by Bill Haley & His Comets, John Mellencamp, Mose Allison, Sting, Long John Baldry, and even Willie Dixon.

Rivers was born John Ramistella in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist in a number of styles, including rock and roll, rockabilly, and blue-eyed soul. Some of his big hits include “Poor Side of Town,” Secret Agent Man, and “Rockin’ Pneumonia – Boogie Woogie Flu” among others. Rivers founded Soul City Records label in 1966.

Here are the lyrics to “Seventh Son” by Johnny Rivers:

“Everybody talkin’ ’bout the seventh son
In the whole wide world there is only one
And I’m the one, I’m the one
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son
I can tell your future, it will come to pass
I can do things to you make your heart feel glad
Look in the sky, predict the rain
Tell when a woman’s got another man
I’m the one, oh I’m the one
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son
I can talk these words that will sound so sweet
They will even make your little heart skip a beat
Heal the sick, raise the dead
Make the little girls talk outta their heads
I’m the one, oh I’m the one
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son
[Lead guitar]
I can talk these words that will sound so sweet
They will even make your little heart skip a beat
Heal the sick, raise the dead
And make the little girls talk outta their heads
I’m the one, oh I’m the one
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son
I’m the one, hey, hey
I’m the one
Oh, I’m the one, babe
Oooo, I’m the one
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son
I’m the one, I’m the one
The one they call the seventh son”

For other songs by Johnny Rivers: “Poor Side of Town” and “Secret Agent Man.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Seventh Son” by Johnny Rivers.