Well, I built me a raft and she's ready for floatin' Ol' Mississippi, she's callin' my name Catfish are jumpin', that paddle wheel thumpin' Black water keep rollin' on past just the same Patrick Simmons recalled that he chanced on the basic guitar lick for "Black Water" while at Warner Bros. Recording Studio (NoHo) for the recording sessions for the Doobie Brothers' 1973 album The Captain and Me: "I was sitting out in the studio waiting between takes and I played that part.

"[3] "Black Water" is distinguished by its melodious a cappella section, whose lyrics are the song's prevalent hook lines: "I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland/ Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand."

"[7] "Black Water" was utilized as the B-side for the lead single from the Doobie Brothers' 1974 album release What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, the A-side being "Another Park, Another Sunday" whose June 1974 Billboard Hot 100 peaked at No.

"[9] Hampton Roads broadcaster WQRK-FM was soon also airing "Black Water", and the track's intense regional success came to the attention of Warner Bros. national promotion director Gary Davis causing an A-side single release of "Black Water" in October 1974, five weeks after WROV had begun airing the track [9] ("Song to See You Through", a Tom Johnston composition off What Were Once Vices..., was utilized as B-side).

[11] Cash Box praised the song, saying among other things that "trickling, bubbling acoustical guitars and flowing harmonies keep this track running true to course with a fiddle flashing just below the surface.

"[12] Record World called it "an impressive change of pace item" and said that "spiced with acappella vocals coming out of an acoustic guitar and fiddle mood, it flows nicely.

"[13] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Black Water" as the Doobie Brothers' 3rd greatest song, commenting that it contains "a cappella breakdown, a viola solo and a bunch of acoustic instruments.