You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond

"You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond" (later titled "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond") is a song that is attributed to both tradition and to Texan singer and guitarist Blind Willie Johnson. Johnson released the first known recording of the song on Columbia Records as "You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond" and later released a second version titled "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond".

As with many of Blind Willie Johnson's songs, "You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond" is played with Johnson on lead vocals and slide guitar and his wife Angeline Johnson on backup vocals. The second version, titled "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" is nearly identical to the first, with slightly more subdued vocals.

"You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond" is a gospel song warning of the need for Jesus Christ and advising the listener to secure their salvation now because death can occur at any time. Blind Willie and Angeline sang the song on the streets of towns in Texas as both entertainment and a calling to adhere to the teachings of Jesus.

Covers

Buffy Sainte-Marie's recording

In 1964, Buffy Sainte-Marie recorded "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" with slightly altered lyrics and included the song on her debut album, "It's My Way!". While her debut album did not chart, it proved influential to both the American and British folk communities. Sainte-Marie recorded the song on acoustic guitar without using a slide and sang without any backup vocals.

Donovan's recording

Single infobox
Name = You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond


Artist = Donovan
from Album = What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid
B-side = "The Little Tin Soldier"
Released = November 1965 (US)
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1965
Genre = folk
Length = 4:04 (Side A)
3:02 (Side B)
Label = Hickory 45-1375
Producer = Terry Kennedy, Peter Eden, Geoff Stephens
Chronology = Donovan USA singles
Reviews =
Last single = "Universal Soldier"
(9/1965)
This single = "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond"
(1965)
Next single = "To Try for the Sun"
(1/1966)

Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan recorded "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" in early 1965 for inclusion on his debut album "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid". Since Donovan recorded a version of "Universal Soldier" after hearing it on Buffy Sainte-Marie's debut album, it is likely that he first heard "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" from the same source.

During late 1965, Donovan was forced to stop recording due to a contractual dispute between Epic Records and his previous label Pye Records. This gap in Donovan releases was partially filled by the "Turquoise" single in the United Kingdom, but Hickory Records (Donovan's Pye Records distributor in the United States) decided not to issue the single in the U.S. due to its lack of chart success overseas.

Instead, Hickory Records released "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" backed with a cover of "The Little Tin Soldier" by Shawn Phillips in November 1965 (Hickory 45-1375). "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" had already been released in the United States as an album track on "Catch the Wind" and "The Little Tin Soldier" had already been released on "Fairytale". Neither song was originally intended for single release and the single failed to chart.

Hunter Robertson's recording

American blues/folk singer and banjo-player Hunter Robertson included the song on his album "Sings Songs For the Masses".

Other recordings and influences

Captain Beefheart frequently included "You'll Need Somebody On Your Bond" in the set list of his early shows. In addition, he drew on the song for Tarotplane, the opening track of his 1971-released album, Mirror Man.

Taj Mahal covered "You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Bond" on his breakthrough album Giant Step.