Elizabeth Cotten Songs Ranked

Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten (née Nevills) (January 5, 1893 – June 29, 1987) was an American blues and folk musician, singer, and songwriter. A self-taught left-handed guitarist, Cotten developed her own original style. She played the guitar strung for a right-handed player, but played it upside down, as she was left-handed. This position meant that she would play the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb. Her signature alternating bass style has become known as “Cotten picking”. Cotten began writing music while toying with her older brother’s banjo. She was left-handed, so she played the banjo in reverse position. Later, when she transferred her songs to the guitar, she formed a unique style, since on a 5-string banjo the uppermost string is not a bass string, but a short, high-pitched string that ends at the fifth fret. This required her to adopt a unique style for the guitar. She first played with the “all finger downstrokes” like a banjo. Later, her playing evolved into a unique style of fingerpicking. Her signature alternating bass style is now known as “Cotten picking”. Her fingerpicking techniques have influenced many other musicians. Here are all of Elizabeth Cotten’s songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the music of Elizabeth Cotten. Click below and experience one of the greatest musicians of all time.

8. Washington Blues (Washington Blues, 1967)

“One of my favorite guitar players. The way she holds and plays the guitar reminds me of Bradbury’s quote: “If they give you lined paper, write the other way.”

7. Vastopol (Vastopol, 1989)

“Inspiring, riveting, I love everything about this song and its irresistible beat. It gets stuck in my head so often, and I love it more every time.”

6. Spanish Flang Dang (Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar, 1958)

“Truly powerful and amazing. It simply flows out and fits together perfectly. There is so much energy at certain parts and the vocals sound wonderful with a haunted kinda sound. “

5. When I’m Gone ( Elizabeth Cotten, Volume 3: When I’m Gone, 1979)

Listening to Elizabeth Cotten has always been thrills. unfortunately however this third disc of the folkways collection offers few new insights compared to those puppled before”

See more: Elizabeth Cotten Albums Ranked

4. I Don’t Love Nobody (Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar, 1958)

“A self-taught left-handed guitarist, Cotten developed her own original style. Her approach involved using a right-handed guitar (usually in standard tuning), not re-strung for left-handed playing, essentially, holding a right-handed guitar upside down. This position required her to play the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb”

3. Wilson Rag (Wilson Rag, 1965)

“This is, without doubt, a masterclass. Elizabeth Cotten plays not just left-handed but upside down. She really tugs at one’s heart with her humility and amazing musicianship!!”

2. Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie (Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie, 1958)

“I just discovered Elizabeth and lam rapidly becoming a fan she caught my eye when I noticed she was playing a right-handed guitar upside down pretty remarkable and I love the simple but beautiful style of playing what a treasure Elizabeth Cotten.”

1. Freight Train (Freight Train, 1912)

“Once again we’re reminded about why we’re playing or listening to music in the first place…..Souls communicating with one another. I feel blessed just to have heard this.”