Lyr Req: Catfish Blues / I Wish I Was a Catfish

Subject: i wish i was a catfish
From: MTM
Date: 12 Nov 99 - 06:09 PM

I don't know if this is the name of the song and I only caught a piece of it coming from a radio that somebody else was operating. Bluesy tune, and I was enjoying it until the knob was turned. The jist was--I wish I was a catfish, swimmng in the deep blue sea, just watching all the women tryin to catch me. I've probably slaughtered the lyric, but does anyone know what it is?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: Gary T
Date: 12 Nov 99 - 06:28 PM

Yes, the name of the song is "Catfish Blues". I have it on an Ian and Sylvia tape. I'm pretty sure it's older than that, likely recorded by some blues singer(s) decades ago. I heard one version on a Public Radio show by a male performer, but I didn't catch his name. If you can't come up with the lyrics or a recording locally, I could get the lyrics off the tape.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Nov 99 - 06:30 PM

Go here for Lightning Hopkins version: http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2541/bllhopki.htm#catfish

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: MTM
Date: 12 Nov 99 - 07:31 PM

a thousand thanks

if Ian and Sylvia did it, I should have the vinyl somewhere. dunno how i missed that. the lightning h. lyrics are the right song, but it wasn't him I heard singin it. that's what i needed though. thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 07:40 AM

This is originally a Muddy Waters song (are these blues tunes originally anybody's?). Depending on the album, it goes under the title Catfish Blues, I Wish I Was a Catfish, or Rolling Stone. Also, believe it or not, there's an obscure album called Jimi Hendrix Blues, or something like that, and Jimi does an amazing solo acoustic version of it; he calls it Catfish Blues.

Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: Frankie
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 08:21 AM

Dave Van Ronk does a version of the Jim Jackson standard from the twenties "Kansas City Blues" on his IN THE TRADITION album which contains the line "Wish I was a catfish swimming in the sea, I'd a have all the women swimming right after me, And then I'd move to Kansas City...". I don't recall if the original contained that line.

Regards F

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: the resonator
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 11:09 AM

that is a great old song. as already mentioned, muddy waters' is the best and probably most well known. he recorded it several times. one of his earliest versions is played quite slow and spare. it really gives you the feel of the delta he knew as a child.

"well, i wish, i was a catfish, swimming in the, deep blue sea. i'd have all you pretty women, fishing after me." that lyric is incorporated in "two trains running," another muddy waters blues on the same riff.

peace.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: Will Bakker
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 11:18 AM

It is also a line in Easy Rider (Leadbelly)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From: wildlone
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 11:24 AM

I had this years ago on a Blue Horizon lp sang by Larry Johnson.
out of interest can you get Blue Horizon on cds.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: i wish i was a catfish
From:
Date: 14 Nov 99 - 12:39 AM

I heard this line years back as a part of the "C.C Rider" Blues. It went: ...wish I was a catfish, swimmin' in the deep blue sea (bis) I'd swim across the ocean, bring my baby back to me...