Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker had a more country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.
Original bassist Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash on April 28, 1980. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.
There was no band member named "Marshall Tucker". Originally, the band called itself The Toy Factory (named after lead-guitarist Toy Caldwell). But by the time the band released its first album they had become the Marshall Tucker Band. During a radio interview in Hempstead, NY in 1973, Tommy Caldwell explained the origins of the band's name:
"There's an old blind dude [in Spartanburg, SC] that tunes pianos, and his name is Marshall Tucker... We didn't name the band after him, but we just kind of liked that name and stuck with it."
Take the Highway
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
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Lord knows I've been gone too long
Lot of sad days
One day you'll turn around
And I'll be gone
And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away
Hear me say
I'll be back someday
But darlin' please don't
Wait for me too long
There's just one place I can't stay
Memories of your love still linger on
And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away
Hear me say
I'll be back someday
But darlin' please don't
Wait for me too long
There's just one place I can't stay
Memories of your love still linger on
And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away
Hear me say
Take the highway
Take the highway
Take the highway
Take the highway
And the time has finally come
For me to pack my bags and walk away
Here me say
The Marshall Tucker Band's song "Take the Highway" is about leaving behind a love and starting a new journey. The song begins with the singer admitting that he has been gone for too long and that there have been many sad days. He tells his lover that one day, she'll turn around and he'll be gone. It's evident that he's been contemplating leaving for a while now because he packs his bags and walks away. However, he assures his lover that he'll be back someday but advises her not to wait for him too long. He admits that there's just one place he can't stay since memories of their love linger on.
The song has a melancholic feel to it, and the singer's tone is regretful; he knows leaving his lover was the right thing to do, but it doesn't make it any easier. He sings, "Take the highway," as if urging himself to move on and start anew. He's aware that the road ahead won't be easy, but it's the right thing to do.
In summary, "Take the Highway" is a song about leaving behind a love and beginning a new journey on the highway of life. It's a difficult decision, but it's one that had to be made. The singer is aware that the road ahead won't be easy, but he's determined to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the highway
I need to leave and move on to new experiences, and the highway represents that journey.
Lord knows I've been gone too long
I've been away for too long and it's time for me to go out and explore the world.
Lot of sad days
I've had my share of hardships and sadness, and it's time for a change.
One day you'll turn around
At some point, you'll realize that I'm no longer around and have moved on with my life.
And I'll be gone
By the time you realize I'm gone, I'll be far away, on a new journey.
And the time has finally come
After experiencing hardships, it's now time for me to move on and try new things.
For me to pack my bags and walk away
I'm leaving everything behind and embarking on a new journey, ready to face new challenges.
Hear me say
Listen to my words, as I'm expressing my need for change and new opportunities.
I'll be back someday
I'll eventually come back, but I can't promise when or how things will be different.
But darlin' please don't
But please don't wait around for me, as I can't guarantee when I'll be back.
Wait for me too long
Don't put your life on hold waiting for me to come back, as it could be a long time.
There's just one place I can't stay
There's only one place that I can't stay, and that's right here, as I need to move on with my life.
Memories of your love still linger on
Even though I'm leaving, the memories of our time together will still be with me.
And the time has finally come
After much thought, I've finally decided that it's time for me to go and embark on a new journey.
Here me say
Believe me when I say that I'm ready for change and ready to move on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dee Napier
on Desert Skies
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