I Ain't Superstitious

{{Infobox song

| name = I Ain't Superstitious

| cover = I Ain't Superstitious single cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Howlin' Wolf

| B-side = Just Like I Treat You

| released = {{Start date|1961|12}} – 1962

| recorded = Chicago, December 1961

| genre = Blues

| length = 2:55

| label = Chess

| writer = Willie Dixon

| producer = Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon

}}

"I Ain't Superstitious" is a song written by bluesman Willie Dixon and first recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1961.

{{cite AV media notes

| first = Dick

| last = Shurman

| author-link = Dick Shurman

| year = 1991

| title = Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box

| type = Box set booklet

| others = Howlin' Wolf

| publisher = MCA/Chess Records

| id = CHD3-9332

| page = 29

}} It recounts various superstitions, including that of a black cat crossing the pathway. The song has been recorded by a number of artists, including Jeff Beck, whose blues rock adaptation in 1968 was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".

Original song

"I Ain't Superstitious" is a mid-tempo stop-time blues song that does not follow the typical chord progression.

{{Cite book

| author = Hal Leonard

| title = The Blues

| year = 1995

| location = Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| publisher = Hal Leonard

| isbn = 0-79355-259-1

| pages = 96–97

}} Musician and writer Bill Janovitz described it as "not merely an electric version of the blues practiced in the Delta; it is something wholly new, a more aggressive and sophisticated Chicago cousin that acknowledges contemporary jazz, R&B, and pop forms".

{{Cite web

| url = https://www.allmusic.com/song/i-aint-superstitious-mt0002320478

| last = Janovitz

| first = Bill

| author-link = Bill Janovitz

| title = Howlin' Wolf: 'I Ain't Superstitious'{{snd}}Review

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = March 6, 2011

}}

Howlin' Wolf recorded the song in Chicago in December 1961, with

pianist Henry Gray, guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Rogers, drummer Sam Lay (drums), and with Willie Dixon on upright bass. "I Ain't Superstitious" is included on several Howlin' Wolf compilation albums, including the 1969 Chess album Evil.

Jeff Beck version

English rock guitarist Jeff Beck recorded "I Ain't Superstitious" for the 1968 debut album Truth featuring Rod Stewart on vocals. Called "a well-known classic-rock-radio staple", Beck's version is "an inventive and inspired recording that manages to inject even more power into the updated arrangement". The song's prominent feature is Beck's guitar work: "At every break, Beck's aqueous wah-wah tone makes his instrument sound like it's talking".

{{Cite magazine

| title = 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time

| magazine = Rolling Stone

| year = 2003

| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20947527

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080530224813/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20947527/page/36

| archive-date = May 30, 2008

| access-date = March 6, 2011

| url-status = dead

}} His version was ranked number 86 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time", and was featured in Martin Scorsese's 1995 film Casino.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Megadeth version

{{Infobox song

| name = I Ain't Superstitious

| type = song

| artist = Megadeth

| album = Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?

| released = September 19, 1986

| recorded = February–March 1986

| studio =

Music Grinder, Track, and Rock Steady, Los Angeles
Maddog, Venice, California

| genre = Thrash metal

| length = {{Duration|2:46}}

| label =

| writer = Willie Dixon

| producer =

| tracks = {{Hidden

| title = 8 tracks

| text =

"Wake Up Dead"
The Conjuring
"Peace Sells"
"Devils Island"
"Good Mourning/Black Friday"
"Bad Omen"
"I Ain't Superstitious"
"My Last Words"

}}

American thrash metal band Megadeth recorded the song for their 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?. Although based on the Howlin' Wolf's original version, Megadeth's version reflects their thrash metal approach.{{cite book|last=Berelian|first=Essi|title=The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal|year=2005|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=0-313-36599-7|page=195}} According to group leader and singer Dave Mustaine:

"Willie Dixon heard our version and he goes, 'Man, I like it. I thought that was great'{{nbsp}}... Willie Dixon gave us the thumbs up."{{cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-megadeths-peace-sells-whos-buying |author=Revolver staff |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Megadeth's 'Peace Sells{{nbsp}}... But Who's Buying?' |website=Revolvermag.com |access-date=May 5, 2022 |date=September 19, 2018}}

= Personnel =

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?|type=Reissue liner notes|year=2004|publisher=Capitol Records|pages=4–12}}

Megadeth