Lowell George met Bill Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They formed Little Feat along with former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, the Factory. The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's "little feet." The spelling of "feat" was an homage to The Beatles.
Their first two albums received nearly universal critical acclaim, and "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like a Wheel.
While touring in support of his solo album in June 1979, at the age of 34, George collapsed in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. The surviving members finished and released the Little Feat album "Down on the Farm" before disbanding.
The surviving former members of Little Feat reformed in 1987 when Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet.
With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a "band's band", and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat's sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.
Richie Hayward became the second founding member of the band to die, passing from pneumonia and other complications of lung disease on August 18, 2010.
Willin'
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm drunk and dirty don't ya know, and I'm still, willin'
And I was out on the road late at night
I'd seen my pretty Alice in every head light
Alice, Dallas Alice
I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites and wine
And you show me a sign
I'll be willin', to be movin'
Well I've been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in, but I'm still on my feet and I'm still, willin'
Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico, and I'm still
And I been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites and wine
And you show me a sign
I'll be willin', to be movin'
Little Feat's "Willin'" is a song that speaks to the vagabond lifestyle that many people lead. The lyrics are a deeply honest depiction of the trials and tribulations of life on the road. The opening lines of the song, "I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow, I'm drunk and dirty don't cha know, and I'm still willin'" set the tone for the entire song. It speaks to the idea that no matter how difficult things may get, the singer is still willing to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.
Throughout the song, the singer describes all of the different places he's been and all of the challenges he's faced. He's been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet, and had his head "stoved in," but he's still on his feet and still "willin'." The singer has driven every kind of rig that's ever been made, and he's driven the back roads so he wouldn't get weighed.
The final lines of the song, "And if you give me weed, whites, and wine, and you show me a sign, I'll be willin,' to be movin'," further emphasize the idea that the singer is always ready for the next adventure. The song is a tribute to those who choose to live their lives on the road, embracing both the good and the bad that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow
The bad weather conditions have affected and changed me.
I'm drunk and dirty don't ya know, and I'm still, willin'
Although I may not look my best, I am still ready and willing to go.
And I was out on the road late at night
I was driving late at night.
I'd seen my pretty Alice in every head light
I kept imagining seeing my girlfriend Alice in every car's headlights.
Alice, Dallas Alice
Repeating Alice's name, indicating his strong feelings for her.
I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari
I have traveled extensively from Arizona to New Mexico.
Tehachapi to Tonapah
I have also traveled through California and Nevada.
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
I have operated every type of vehicle imaginable.
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
I avoided the weigh stations on the back roads to avoid being stopped for inspection.
And if you give me weed, whites and wine
If you provide me with marijuana, speed, and alcohol,
And you show me a sign
And give me a reason to go,
I'll be willin', to be movin'
I will be ready and willing to hit the road.
Well I've been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet
I have been through some tough times and bad weather.
Had my head stoved in, but I'm still on my feet and I'm still, willin'
I have been through some physical injuries, but I am still standing and ready to go.
Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico
I have illegally transported cigarettes and people from Mexico.
Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico, and I'm still
I have been heavily exposed to the sun on my trips to Mexico and am still ready to go.
And I been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Repeating this line to emphasize the extent of his travels.
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Again, emphasizing the range of his travels through California and Nevada.
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Repeating this line to reinforce the fact that he can handle any vehicle.
Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
Repeating this line to emphasize the fact that he has traveled the back roads to avoid weigh stations.
And if you give me weed, whites and wine
Repeating this line to reinforce his desire for marijuana, speed, and alcohol.
And you show me a sign
Repeating this line to emphasize his willingness to hit the road if given a reason.
I'll be willin', to be movin'
Repeating this line to reinforce the fact that he is always ready and willing to hit the road.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Lowell T George
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Representing the Mambo
Heard this song right before I had to go on a buiness trip to Rio. The progression of the song up the mountainside to the dangerous favelas above the city to the isolated hidden samba clubs make this song a trip you can truly take in your mind to that place.