Derek Truck's musical career began at the age of nine, when he picked up a five dollar acoustic guitar at a yard sale. "It was nothing special," he claims, “It was just the only thing that looked interesting." But that seemingly inconsequential purchase changed his life. After learning what he could from his father and a family friend, Derek began playing with other musicians around town. "It happened pretty quick," Derek remembers. Within the span of a single year, he had purchased an instrument, learned how to play, and began touring - with his father acting as road manager/chaperone. What had begun as a weekend activity quickly became a life’s pursuit, and would eventually result in Derek being the youngest player to make Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" list.
Derek got his first paying gig at age 11 and formed his first band at age 12. Todd Smallie, who played with many jazz and blues musicians in the Atlanta area, entered the picture in 1994, when Derek was 15 years old. "We have so many stories and so much in common,” says Derek, “It's been an amazing experience with him.”
In 1995, Yonrico Scott rounded out the band's permanent rhythm section. More than 20 years older than Derek, Yonrico brings an incredible lifetime of experience to the table. Like Derek, Yonrico began to play music at an extremely early age, picking up the drums when he was only 7 years old, playing gospel music in church. While growing up in Detroit, Yonrico studied under Motown drummer George Hamilton before moving south to attend the University of Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in percussion performance.
Born in the Bronx, raised in Washington, DC, Kofi Burbridge first picked up the flute at age 6. He soon began ear training and studying theory at the same time. Kofi's musical education was rooted in classical and jazz -- for the flute. While attending college at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Kofi landed his first touring gig. Eventually making his home in Atlanta, Kofi took advantage of numerous opportunities to play with his brother Oteil (bassist extraordinaire) and a host of like-minded, enthusiastic musicians. He joined the Derek Trucks Band in 1999.
In 2002, The Derek Trucks Band heard about vocalist Mike Mattison after recommendations by both DTB producers Craig Street and John Snyder in the same week. Mike had been performing and recording as part of a duo called Scrapomatic in the New York area. Mike performed with The Derek Trucks Band for several gigs and Derek soon realized he had found the final piece of the puzzle. Mike’s soulful voice and understated stage presence fit the band’s musical vision and Mike worked into a full time position with the band shortly thereafter. Mike, originally from Minneapolis, lived and played in Brooklyn for a number of years before finally being drawn to the Southeast and settling in Atlanta with the rest of his DTB bandmates.
Count M’Butu has been the mysterious sixth member of The Derek Trucks Band for the last six or more years. He is the only band member that doesn’t perform on every tour, but his presence with the band has become more frequent over time and the band always elevates their playing when he graces the stage. Born in Georgia in 1945, Count M'Butu studied music at Georgia State University and learned the art of drum making while in Africa, where he developed his love for and prowess on a variety of percussion instruments. He has worked with a wide variety of musicians, including Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Frank Zappa, and Chuck Leavell and has shared stages with Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, the Allman Brothers Band, and Phish.
Sailing On
Derek Trucks Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can hear sweet voices singin', hear sweet music playin'
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Oh, I wish you were here with me when I'm sailin' on
Well, the spring, summer, autumn, and winter
All I know, you're gonna lay your head on my pillow
Ooh, on a normal night, spring, summer, autumn, winter
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Oh, I wish you were here with me when I'm sailin' on
Everybody clap your hands
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Sailin' on
Everybody clap your hands
The Derek Trucks Band's song Sailing On is a beautiful and soulful tribute to the joys of sailing and being out on the open water. The lyrics describe the feeling of sailing, with sweet voices singing and music playing in the background. The singer wishes that someone special was with them as they sail, sharing in the experience and the beauty of the moment. The repetition of the phrase "sailing on" throughout the song emphasizes the peacefulness and freedom that comes from being out on the water.
The second verse adds a layer of intimacy to the song, as the singer talks about sharing a pillow with someone they love. The mention of the seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) signals the passage of time and the continuity of their relationship, despite the changing seasons. It's almost as if the singer is suggesting that being out on the water, sailing with someone they love, is a constant throughout the year. The song ends with a rousing call for everyone to clap their hands, bringing the listener back to reality after the dreamy, beautiful journey of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Continuing forward through life's journey
I can hear sweet voices singin', hear sweet music playin'
Enjoying the beautiful sounds and experiences around me
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Continuing forward through life's journey
Oh, I wish you were here with me when I'm sailin' on
Longing for someone special to share these experiences with
Well, the spring, summer, autumn, and winter
No matter the season or time of year
All I know, you're gonna lay your head on my pillow
Knowing that someone special will always be by my side
Ooh, on a normal night, spring, summer, autumn, winter
Even on an ordinary night during any season
All I know, you're gonna tell me which you prefer
I trust you to always share your preferences with me
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Continuing forward through life's journey
Oh, I wish you were here with me when I'm sailin' on
Longing for the presence of someone special
Everybody clap your hands
Joining together in celebration of life and love
Sailin' on, sailin' on
Continuing forward through life's journey
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Expressing a deep desire for someone special to share life's experiences with
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Expressing a deep desire for someone special to share life's experiences with
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Expressing a deep desire for someone special to share life's experiences with
Oh, I wish you could be with me when I'm
Expressing a deep desire for someone special to share life's experiences with
Sailin' on
Continuing forward through life's journey
Everybody clap your hands
Joining together in celebration of life and love
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RMH
Nothing better than a talented guitarist that works with the band and for the song instead of there ego. Derek trucks is the personification of that idea. Brilliant musician
gavriel lev
Bobby M.H. amen Derek is virtuoso level the likes of which we may never have seen and he shared the stage every night with 10 other people
J C
That's part of what made Duane such a great session player, IMO.
J C
@gavriel lev look, I bet Duane Allman would've loved Tedeschi Trucks. He was of the opinion that it took however many band members that it took to get whatever sound it is he was looking for. Whether that be 4 or 14. 🙏
kckrye
that finger picking is awesome! Those quick little flutter picks he starts a 1:14 are so cool. Never heard him do that before.
guitar jonn
Such a consummate artist. Such phrasing and amazing technique but with a great sense of restraint and space, always searching for the right note or phrase in the right moment that gets you to that higher realm. He's guitar Zen.
AZCobraman
Helps to have that rhythm section too. Nothing like leaving the man some space to play.
John Keane
AZCobraman True that, true that. They're and great band. I have mad respect to musicians with the talent, maturity and selflessness who know that less is more in most situations.
Jam Xandre
I love how the band just laughs after every solo this guy does. They're just like what the fuck? every time.
garry smith
Just imagine being in the presence of greatness every time you go work...