Messin' With The Kid

"Messin' With The Kid" is a 1960 American blues song originally recorded by Junior Wells and credited to songwriter/producer Mel London. It subsequently became a signature tune for Wells. It has been covered by many artists including Johnny Winter, The Blues Brothers, Rory Gallagher, AC/DC and Freddie King. "The Kid" is self-referential slang.

Wells' recording first appeared as a single on Mel London's Chief Records.

Credits

*Junior Wells - vocals
*Earl Hooker - electric guitar
*Lacey Gibson – electric guitar
*Johnny Walker - piano
*Jack Myers - bass
*Fred Below - drums
*Jarrett Gibson - tenor saxophone
*Donald Hankins – baritone saxophone

Produced by Mel London. Recorded in Chicago, October 17, 1960.

Opening lyrics

:What's this I hear, goin' all around town:People say you're tryin' to put The Kid down:Hey, yeh, look at what you did:You can call it what you want:But I call it messin' with The Kid

Blues singer Eddie C. Campbell recorded a Christmas novelty song, also done in blues style, with a very similar tune, called "Santa's Messin' With The Kid", in which Santa is actually "messing with" the "wife" of the The Kid, until "The Kid ran him out o' town":

:Santa come' once a year, we all know:Didn't use my chimney, had a key to my do':Oh, Lord, look what Santa did:(He's messin' with me):Call it Merry Christmas?:I say Santa's messin' with The Kid