Cotton Fields (Leadbelly) | Playing For Change | Song Around The World

Our new album, Listen to the Music, is available now: bit.ly/2EA9wE8
We created this Song Around The World to make you all move your feet and smile from ear to ear. "Cotton Fields" Around The World features Blind Boy Paxton, Luke Winslow-King, Esther Rose, Takuya Kuroda and The California Feetwarmers. Turn it up and let music bring in the light.
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Playing For Change (PFC) is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. The primary focus of PFC is to record and film musicians performing in their natural environments and combine their talents and cultural power in innovative videos called Songs Around The World. Creating these videos motivated PFC to form the Playing For Change Band-a tangible, traveling representation of its mission, featuring musicians met along their journey; and establish the Playing For Change Foundation-a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to building music and art schools for children around the world. Through these efforts, Playing For Change aims to create hope and inspiration for the future of our planet.
To learn more about the work of the PFC Foundation, visit www.playingforchange.org

[@TheDickeroo]

This is humanity at its best. Working and playing together.

[@robertwright0n]

I can feel the Love.

[@carolyngardner4999]

Damn right.

[@alexrimz8670]

Gbbyvyv. Y y. Y yya

[@pabo-qv3nx]

Well said

[@kevinkevin4985]

The internet at it's best.

[@charliehill5853]

Whoever dreamed up the playing for change concept is genius!!! I cannot thank y’all enough for these videos and performances.

[@saulchapnick1566]

The best ideas are the simple ones.

[@pauserofcrew7343]

Truly amazing!

[@conniewolf7300]

I remember this song from when I was a little kid. I'm 72 now!!

[@user-re6wk7hf9s]

Incredible bunch of beautiful people. The world needs this. Thank you for making the world better.

[@1948steven]

This planet would be a much better place to live if everyone could get along like musicians.

[@PlayingForChange]

"Cotton Fields" is a song written by blues musician Huddie Ledbetter​, better known as Lead Belly, who made the first recording of the song in 1940. Since then it's been recorded by other musicians more than 15 times. Here's our version...

[@gilsonrech3882]

Beautiful !!!! Congratulations..

[@johannabusser4143]

gracias ,johanna.

[@GarySUPERTRAMPER]

+Playing For Change "Where's me royalties" I muttered from me grave.,

[@jefffitzgerald8158]

+Playing For Change It's music to my ears. I feel like I found something I've been looking for.

[@johannabusser4143]

*****

[@Sylvankay57]

Dad & Mom In Heaven, brought me to this song today! Mom sang this song to us when we were young and we got older, we sang along, while she played piano by ear. We grew up In A suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota!😊

[@anibalartemio9110]

Que orgullo sentirás. Una gran alegría seguramente. Saludos desde Argentina ❤

[@SHADOW-vg8rb]

I love when people from all over come together and do stuff like this.

[@studiocharlie324]

Esther Rose and Luke Winslow King, thats the way that old American real country Music need to sound! pure clear and beautifull voices!!! God Bless You Both!

[@shirleybowers7251]

This is what unity looks like. Spreading love, joy and peace.. God bless these gifted musicians. 🙏♥️✝️🇺🇸🎺🥁🎸🎷🎻

[@jayjayirvine8907]

Amen darling I'm from Scotland

[@ReikiontheRun]

My mom used to sing this to me at bedtime or when I was sick. I didn't know until I was an adult that this was a real song...I lost it when I heard it the first time. This was fabulous. I live in Mexico and a lot of bands here play a mix of English and Spanish. Good stuff.

[@joviemaco1888]

I love the Cajun, Blues and all of the various flavors of the South in this rendition. 🥰

[@howardcarver1415]

My mom and dad used to pick cotton in Oklahoma when I was a kid. She would place me on her bag which got dragged along in the field. This song brings back lots of memories. It was something my mom sang often as we grew up. ♥️

[@anibalartemio9110]

Ohh,qué vivencia!! No se olvida jamás

[@barbaracain340]

This is what you get when people play for the love of playing not the love of money this is sooo good love it🙋‍♀️❤️

[@joshuameighan344]

Amazing what a performance. Thank the Lord for sweet music. This cheered me up when everything is just going mad around the world 2020

[@MrBenjigee]

Damn, the Japanese guy is blowing some pure flame out of that horn.

[@KatMcNamara-fh1nc]

Amen

[@DanielSmith-cv2tp]

Wow!!! Look at the smiles on all those brothers & sisters all over the world! I love all y'all and the change??? Its touching souls !!! Wow weeee!

[@howardsmith8430]

How good was that??? A great performance by individual international musicians playing simultaneously, with each of them enjoying their input. It put a smile on my face too. More please!!

[@aprilh9033]

I grew up singing this song, so what an absolute joyit is to hear all of you sanging it. Yep U brought in the Light. A Thousand Thanks. Blessings from Cali

[@cjsalata]

COVID-19 has got nothing on us The way forward is with unity of purpose. These artists are showing the way. Praise God.

[@bluesteel5841]

Pure talent, no computer generated sounds just talent. Love it..

[@manojrf]

Just imagine everyone irrespective of color, religion etc living happily and peacefully in this world. It could be heaven on earth. Isn't it?

[@dougiefresh9618]

If you get ride of the governments

[@bettyjane6684]

IMO it’s the liberal agenda to stir up violence racism hatred.

[@billybuck7658]

Wow, that was wonderful...I remember my grandfather singing that out in fields back in the 60's...thank you so munch, really enjoyed it....peace out folks,

[@ceciliacormier2370]

Olé mollé, that is some fine playing. Jerron Paxton's phrasing and velvet voice bring you back very, very far. A delight for the soul. Merci beaucoup!

[@Conwayfan98]

Country, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and polka... sounds awesome together!

[@marcisaac2558]

amen

[@larrylinn8589]

Like Duke Ellington said, “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ...”

[@andreesmith7051]

Had the privilege of seeing Jarrod 'Blind Boy' Paxton live in the U.K. A great entertainer and musician.

[@pedromartin2010]

I moved my feet and smiled from ear to ear. My eyes smiled too. Thanks a bunch folks, you are great, you brought some sunshine to my soul.

[@elizabethhjenkins6172]

Love this song. Love seeing a player on a washboard.

[@Fernando0Vasques]

If this song doesn't cast a smile, I sure don't know what will...

[@calebsmith2792]

Enjoy life as much as possible til we get to the Lord's promised Land Revelation 21 : 3,4

[@surenotejas3163]

Used to picked cotton when I was a little bitty boy

[@maxpelka6086]

Magnificent! The ol' Leadbelly would be proud and happy to see so many people have fun to sing his song. Very good!

[@joshua_wherley]

This is such a fun rendition of a classic piece of American history. Hats off to everyone involved in this!

[@javierfueyo6871]

ALASBUENAS Otia Guapa A la par divertida canción ❤🎉 APASALOBIEN TÔS

[@mircovannucchi6600]

Leadbelly will be happy !

[@HerrStach]

I love the expression of pure joy from the drummer!

[@lucmc123]

Ya me too he looked like he was just having a blast

[@billporche194]

Bartosz Stasiak ya nailed it Bart

[@rumples2698]

@Elijah Craig ,I,m going to have a still photo of him at 2 mins in , framed and put it on a wall - just love "jellybean " !!

[@joemahoney1221]

Well, that's nawlins

[@alan4sure]

That's cuz he gets to hang out with musicians! LOL

[@bigdave6591]

The blind guy is awesome and the guy on the wash board is fantastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@345kobi]

Great music from around the world - good as it gets.

[@coldlakealta4043]

I just recently came across PFC. Their music, especially the wonderful use of international musicians and their instruments, is joyful and uplifting. I've made a little PFC play list. I suspect it'll be used a lot. 👍

[@mariabarr1286]

My childhood experience since a six-year old child makes me appreciate God's mercies since then.

[@scottcooper578]

What more can be said...well I'll give it a whirl...PFC does it once again & again! These collaborations of artists are the most wonderful music creations. People from all walks of life coming together for one common overwhelming cause "PEACE" via music!

[@PlayingForChange]

If you're enjoying our music, we invite you to become a member of Playing for Change. By joining us as a PFC Member, you'll play a crucial role in supporting our mission to spread harmony and unity through music worldwide. Join us today at www.playingforchange.com/home2

[@pietop55]

I've loved this song for decades. You folks just put a Big grin on my face!!! Thanx:)

[@seektruth8662]

At 2:08 drummer makes me laugh, he's soo happy to start playing again! Music at it's best!

[@janishart5128]

I kept playing his part over and over!!! He was SOOOO enthusiastic!!!!

[@hapijen4828]

Jelly Bean.

[@michaelbrigante]

This is pure happiness~!!!! Love it!!! Can't keep from watching it!

[@1956lakota]

Found this music by accident.....a tube gem!!

[@jacquelinemurray2503]

Mee too!

[@skipraida5497]

Jacqueline Murray,me 3!

[@IamGenoBlack]

Me too now I am addicted. Brings so much hope and joy.

[@lovethe1wolves]

The man on drums is having a grand time.

[@danielegigante2086]

Jeffry "Jellybean" Alexander... from New Orleans... Absolutely fantastic !!!!

[@frankhuth4130]

Thank you youtube for supplying all this great music, especially good now in my 70s, where I can't go to too many places due to bad health and bad legs

[@ranger1496]

85 must agree😎🕺

[@gilbertogutierrez8072]

I'm from New Orleans and many years ago a girl friend of mine asked me to play this song for her. Musta' been 'round 1968. I learned that style of music in the French Quarter probably 8 years prior. Wish I married that girl! I'm still playing that music, and a lot of other styles, too.

[@911dispatcher1956]

Remember singing that song when I was a child and now I'm 60 years old.....

[@standforchrist1153]

I remember singing it in grade school when there was music class. We didn't know what racism was until we were taught it.

[@hollywilkins7580]

ME TOO - all my life and to my grandchildren! (1962)

[@grannyjudi1]

911dispatcher1956 I remember singing it in music class..I am 69

[@johnstone7579]

Me thinks that you are 60 years young😊😊😊

[@debrasoiseth7507]

Whoa, that short solo by Vinnie Caggiano on the acoustic guitar was outstanding. All very nice, love it!

[@BLAB-it5un]

Listening to this great rendition while visiting the great state of Louisiana - great people, great music and great food - with its influences spread worldwide as represented by this wonderful collection of musicians.

[@PedroCucuchucho]

Qué gran música compuso Leadbelly. Cotton Fields, Midnight Special , etc.. Gran versión de Playing For Change. Felicidades.

[@rayorourke3939]

I love this. The way their in sync with each other. "Totally Awesome " 👍👍👍

[@caboyd1977]

Wish I could go through life half as happy as Jelly Bean looks in this video!!

[@ellensstory4429]

I love this song. My Grandma used to sing it to me when I was little. I love playing for change. Amazing musicians.

[@stryde31]

Can't but not get up and dance dance dance to this... Whoop Whoop!! Boom!! Big Up Folks! JAH Blessings and Love all around.

[@friesiamans1966]

i´m 60 and a musican myself - two years ago we made some backings for two young hiphoppers who had a street singer with them for female harmony vocals - during a rehearsal pause she sang this song sort of to herself - i heard it and asked where she knew it from, she said her mama had played it when she was young - i also know it since my childhood - so now i started to download some versions i could find on youtube (ha, even creedence clearwater revival!) when i just stumbled across this version here - absolutely gorgeous!!!!! love the whole "playing for a change" series... :-) love and greetings to all you listeners out there from germany

[@charlieredeemed]

I love this song!!!! Everyone did amazing!!!

[@ayerbelvasko]

Qué maravilla para los oídos y para el alma. Gracias por algo tan bello.

[@hoangjo]

Now this is the kind of things I like to hear from the USA. Love this song! Best wishes from México.

[@michaelpower4372]

It should get performance of the century. Well done to all the performers

[@bobbypeck1999]

Thank you all so very much for all your great music. Love it

[@gremling6567]

I have to say hearing people around the world playing the same songs and the edits are really well done makes me want to see all of them on a single stage playing together. There's something about music that gives us all a true feeling of being and I hope that someone could put something together like this. Keep putting up these videos.

[@toxicgraphix]

I think the opening line to this song is what really hits home. "When I was a little bitty baby my momma would ROCK me in the cradle." Leadbelly was a genius! ...I miss my mom....

[@nancejo]

We all do. Wait, i didn't mean it like that. I mean we all miss our own mommas.

[@lyndasmith650]

Every day I start with Playing For Change...thank you so much for the joy!!!

[@raymondrodriguez4300]

Love playing for change! All their songs are amazing!!!

[@mauropreparadorfisico]

this is the first song of CCR what I listen. Me and my father love's this band and, of course, Playing for change! Love you ! Greetings from Argetina !

[@GregParker]

Reckon everyone'd pick a bale a day,listening to great music like that. First class international collaboration/video edit. Thanks for sharing wonderful playing. Regards.

[@karencokenour6815]

Love this idea.

[@sylviathompson100]

Great video

[@moragmckay7673]

Playing For Change is the most life-affirming thing I've found since getting online four months ago. This is the best example, musically, I've found so far(this time through looking up Luke Winslow-King after seeing him on NCIS New Orleans), but they've all made my Cheer-up Time list! thanks for your contribution to making the world a happier place, a small corner at a time.

[@rcandrews4334]

Everyone brings it for sure, but Takuya Kuroda (trumpet) and Jelly bean (kit), along with Vinnie (lead guitar), put a smile across my face the size of the moon.

[@MrJasdog107]

Keep coming back to this video . One of the coolest videos on You Tube.

[@IslandDustin]

I love seeing how Music brings people together! Keep it up, Playing For Change!

[@f.b.8254]

Fun as hell. Sang and danced along three times in a row. Thanks, folks - I needed that cheering up!

[@ltron9875]

The drummer is an absolute joy he's so happy

[@paul-sparky-sparr4160]

Best version I've ever heard. Good onya, mates 😎✌😁 Greetings from northern Germany to everyone who loves good music around the world. 👍

[@debbyledbetter4434]

Love, love, love it! Heard this growing up in Texas regularly

[@MaggiePigg]

What kind of cold heart could vote down this wonderful effort.

[@1946nimrod]

A jealous one....

[@Kookoo347]

Some effing twats just out there doing what they do best...trying to spread their misery ...but we ain’t catching’ it 😀

[@jazzcatt]

A non musical moron but fear not, even down votes/dislikes are a positive thing on youtube. All YT algorithms look at is 'activity' not like or dislike! so the thumbs downers are the losers, and the channel wins!

[@jackalister1662]

Personally,I think that it’s great. Gets my toes a tapping.

[@kathidori8504]

A stupid person who believes that only MTV music is music.

[@marthaolewale3083]

l loved it, its my favourite, l am from Papua New Guinea, and l sing Cotton Fields on my karioke, is there are way to sing with all instruments on show with me singing, l very much enjoyed it...😍😍😍

[@siobhancosgrove7277]

I’ve got goosebumps listening to these absolutely FANTASTIC singers and musicians ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rossholmes178]

Loving it! More power, joy and influence to you all!

[@frattalta]

Une ambiance country ...un mix instrumental et des voix formidables ! J' adoreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemerciiiiiiiiiiii

[@bbrown1768]

Country / New Orleans

[@albertvillarreal8603]

So much talent. Love the fun Jelly Bean is having n I actually watch this 1-2 times a day n it never fails, yep Jelly Bean puts me in a good mood

[@JakubSemoda]

Hey guys, this is such a beautiful song. By the way, greetings from Slovak Republic. This song is part of my childhood memories, because in times of communist Czechoslovakia, this song, as many other was somehow translated. I grew up in second half of 90´s, in the times, when people still was able to enjoy spending time with theyre´s friends, or neighbours, and hope for new beautiful country was still the thing. Today´s young kids don´t know that. So the reason, why I love Czech version of this song so much is because it brings me back all the great memories, where I see my dad playing gitar in late barbecue evening, and everybody else sing. and there´s dozen of other these "western" style songs, I remember. J

[@jaysoneubanks579]

Music has the power to heal the world if we choose to recognize it

[@kevc6115]

I would love to see a documentary on the origins of this project and how all these masterpieces are made!

[@chasescanlon6488]

Their KZbin channel has a lot of behind the scenes stuff just check out their playlist! They also have a video about the creator of playing for change walking down the streets of Santa Monica, just heading to a studio session. When out of nowhere he heard an amazing soulful blues voice and he met roger Ridley. He said “the best music I heard that day was on the streets, not in that studio” so he was inspired by roger to make the “stand by me” music video where street artists he met around the world sang a cover to Rogers song.

[@julieharden2433]

I highly recommend The Weight, then watching the two behind the scenes/making of The Weight. It's fantastic.

[@kevc6115]

@@julieharden2433 Thanks for the tip on the behind the scenes. The Weight was the first song that I heard Playing for Change do. I have been playing it for years and am a huge fan of The Band. Also the Doobie Brothers, CCR, the Eagles etc. The Last Waltz is my all time fav music movie.

[@aprilh9033]

Wow! Thank you so much for the great information.

[@aprilh9033]

@@chasescanlon6488 Loved this great info. Thank you for sharing.

[@AdventuresBeginHere409]

This song tells a true story of them old Cotton Feilds I remember so well-keep on singing love it!

[@skatemimo]

La mejor versión de Cotton Fields que he escuchado. Finísima la trompeta le da el toque a la canción.

[@aqmallulhaq4495]

kacer juara

[@Autobotmatt428]

The love of Music brings us together.

[@danielcountrywriter6355]

Love this and what a great Ole song. My cousin used to sing this in the car when we were little. Great memory. Thanks Daniel

[@MonicaMuil]

I love all the Louisiana musicians featured in this video, but the musician that blew me away was Takuya Kuroda from Japan on the horn!!!!!!!!! He's feelin' it!

[@BottreauBlauwart]

C'est génial de mixer ainsi de merveilleux musiciens jouant aux quatre coins du monde ! Merci pour cette fantastique performance...

[@gabrieljimenez3594]

Is incredible how amazingly talented all the artists here are. This is just so freaking beautiful!

[@seanmagee5669]

Great rendition of a 'Leadbelly' classic 👍. Back in '57, when at College, our music teacher was teaching., among other musical genres, "Skiffle" and "Blues" music. "Cotton Fields" was one of the first songs he taught how to play. Apart from ".. Irene": "Cotton Fields" is one of "Leadbellys" most popular songs. Thx for posting. Enjoyed it very much. 👍👍😘

[@allenhatcher2867]

I love everything. Brilliant, Love Drummer. Have to admit didn't see trumpet as part of instrumentation but man does it work, These guys are absolute genius. Love it all. There may be hope for mankind yet,

[@ilovebluegrass5493]

Such a joyful song when I listen to the song it makes me feel good and loved

[@amangogna68]

Fantastic song, amazing voice and great band !

[@danpatterson6937]

Outstanding. And thank you for selecting something played happily as a genuinely happy event. No cheese, no smarm, no guilt trip.

[@NCJeanGenie]

SO HAPPY to hear this performed in true Louisiana Style by “Everyday People” !!!

[@andreimakarov1312]

Jeffery Alexander (the drummer guy) was certainly having the time of his life recording this, seeing him here never fails to bring a smile on my face.

[@almirCCR]

❤😊

[@TheP0llyana]

Loved to see/hear the Celebration rendition with the young musicians- sending on to all my schools for use in their year end festivities. Big hearted thank you for this work!

[@robfrancis8690]

Music naturally transcends money and politics, and brings us down home to the realities of abundances that are shared everywhere through the love shown us by these brilliant angels... Thanks....

[@catdaddy3302]

I’m from the Mississippi Delta. I can tell ya about “them ole cotton fields back home.”

[@JP-20s]

I love it! what an amazing song, y'all made my day, this is pure joy, thank you for sharing this video, God bless.👋👋👋👋👋😷😷😷👍👍👍👍😁💖😀👍👍