Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love” is a rock and roll classic, instantly recognizable for its signature rhythm and catchy lyrics. But the song’s origins may surprise you. While Diddley popularized the tune in the 1950s, its roots can be traced back further, to the work songs of laborers in the early 20th century. This article explores the connection between “Who Do You Love” and the hard labor that inspired it, specifically the grueling work of laying barbed wire fences.
From Barbed Wire to Rock and Roll
In the early 1960s, a young man in Oklahoma took on a dangerous job laying barbed wire to earn money for college and avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. He worked alongside seasoned veterans who had been doing this backbreaking work since the Land Run. This experience provided a firsthand look at the demanding and perilous nature of fence building, a profession with a rich history intertwined with the American West. The work was far from glamorous: digging post holes, battling rattlesnakes, and stretching miles of sharp wire across unforgiving terrain. The old timers sang songs to pass the time and ease the burden of their labor, songs that spoke of hardship, resilience, and the realities of life on the plains. One of these songs, with slightly different lyrics and a simpler structure, bore a striking resemblance to the tune that would later become Bo Diddley’s hit. .
The Hard Labor Behind the Music
The process of building a barbed wire fence was incredibly demanding. It involved not only physical strength but also meticulous skill and attention to detail. Setting corner posts and bracing them to withstand the immense tension of the wire was crucial. A single mistake could result in serious injury, as the taut wire could snap with deadly force. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOg8FJvYfyI offers a glimpse into this process, although it depicts a relatively modern and straightforward fencing project. The reality for earlier fence builders was often much harsher, involving miles of fence stretching across uneven ground and using wooden posts instead of prefabricated metal ones.
The work was often solitary and dangerous. The young man spent weeks alone in the vast plains, relying on his own resourcefulness and a beat-up truck loaded with wire and staples. There were no cell phones, no safety nets, just the endless miles of fence and the constant threat of injury or even death. This harsh environment fostered a sense of independence and self-reliance, qualities reflected in the spirit of the old work songs.
A Song of Resilience and a Changing Era
“Who Do You Love,” in its original form as a work song, likely reflected the hardships and triumphs of this way of life. It was a song born of sweat and toil, a testament to the men who tamed the West with their own two hands. Bo Diddley, knowingly or unknowingly, tapped into this rich tradition, transforming a simple work song into a rock and roll anthem. The song’s driving rhythm and powerful vocals capture the energy and intensity of the labor that inspired it.
The era of barbed wire fencing marked a significant shift in the American West, reducing the need for cowboys on horseback and paving the way for a more settled and “civilized” way of life. The song, in both its early and later forms, serves as a reminder of this transition and the hard work that made it possible.
Remembering a Lost Era
Today, the grueling work of laying barbed wire by hand is largely a thing of the past. But the music inspired by this labor lives on, reminding us of a time when men were tested by physical challenges and forged a connection to the land through their own hard work. “Who Do You Love,” whether in its original form or as Bo Diddley’s electrifying hit, stands as a testament to this forgotten era and the enduring power of music to capture the human experience. While the specific workers song mentioned is not readily available online, a similar example of early 20th-century work songs can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPjbFkT1zIY.
