Cover Versions
The song has been reworked by other major bluesmen. Skip James reworked the music and lyrics into his song "Special Rider Blues". Avant-garde blues artist Jandek reworked a verse from "Death Letter" into his song "I Went Outside". Muddy Waters's closely related song about the same subject is "Burying Ground". Captain Beefheart worked an extensive reference to it into "I Feel Like Ahcid" on Strictly Personal.
"Death Letter" has been recorded by several popular musicians, including The Blues Band, Grateful Dead, John Mellencamp, Chris Thomas King, David Johansen, Tony McPhee, The Derek Trucks Band, The White Stripes and The Tallest Man on Earth. The White Stripes performed part of the song live at the 2004 Grammy Awards. The song has also been given a hardcore punk makeover by Canadian punk rock band Eamon McGrath & The Wild Dogs. It was also featured in the 2005 horror/suspense film The Skeleton Key. The song has also been recorded by Diamanda Galás, Cassandra Wilson, James Blood Ulmer, Preacher Boy, Gov't Mule, and Geoff Muldaur.
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