Artist: Ann Cole
Author: Preston Foster
Label: Baton
Year: 1957
Rhythm & blues singer from New Jersey with vocal group The Suburbans. They were once support act for Muddy Waters. That's when Muddy heard it first. Both cut it somewhat simultaneously. Cole had the bigger hit initially but Muddy's version was better distributed. His lyrics are slightly different; he probably didn't remember the original ones while recording his. Most later covers follow his. Conclusion: cut your songs before singing them in public. Later Ann cut answer song I've Got Nothing Working Now (But My Real Old Fashioned Love), again co-written by Preston Foster and its Buzz Buzz A-Diddle It chorus probably inspired others (see there). Besides, Ann's mojo sure didn't double for a Saint Christopher; she got paralyzed in a car crash. Preston Foster's demo was for Dare Records.
Covers:
Muddy Waters [charted the same week as the original; crediting himself]
Larry Bright [as Mojo Workout; author/producer Ruth Stratchborneo sued unsuccessfully; she claimed singing Got My Mojo Working as early as '55]
Kingsmen [as Mojo Workout]
Paul Revere & The Raiders [idem]
Claude Righi [as Laissez-moi seul]
Bill Cosby [as Mojo Workout]
Elvis Presley [see also: Hands Off]
J.J. Cale [as Mo Jo]
A mojo is a voodoo devise helping a man finding a good woman or vice versa. Not a mannish thing to rave about, for if he needs a mojo means his natural charms ain't working! Reason to believe a woman should sing it in the first place. See also: Keep Your Hands Off My Mojo.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)