Initially based in Canvey Island, Essex, on the Thames estuary, Dr. Feelgood broke into the London circuit in 1974. Brilleaux's menacing personality complemented Johnson's propulsive, jerky stage manner, while the guitarist's staccato style dominated the group's idiosyncratic brand of angular rhythm and blues.
Their debut album, Down By The Jetty, was released in 1974, but despite critical approbation, it was not until the following year that the quartet secured due commercial success with Stupidity. Recorded live in concert, this raw, compulsive set topped the UK charts and the group's status seemed assured. However, internal friction led to Johnson's departure during sessions for a projected fourth album and although his replacement, John 'Gypie' Mayo, was an accomplished guitarist, he lacked the striking visual image of his predecessor. Dr. Feelgood then embarked on a more mainstream direction which was only intermittently successful. 'Milk And Alcohol' (1978) gave them their sole UK Top 10 hit. After the punk explosion their raw, jerky sound and clean-cut image provided inspiration to the post-punk generation (John Lydon being a big fan).
Mayo left the band in 1981. Despite this, and various subsequent line-up changes, Dr. Feelgood continued touring and recording, although the band then suffered an almost career-finishing blow, when their frontman, Brilleaux, died of cancer on 7 April 1994. But, as Brilleaux had insisted prior to his demise, Dr. Feelgood reunited, initially with vocalist Pete Gage, and recommenced touring in 1996. Gage was replaced by Robert Kane who, celebrated his 1000th gig as the frontman of Dr. Feelgood in April 2007.
Following Brilleaux's death in 1994, a special concert known as the Lee Brilleaux Birthday Memorial was held on Canvey Island, where former and current Feelgoods celebrated the music of Dr. Feelgood, and raised money for The Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff-on-Sea. Fans attended from all over the globe, and the 20th and final event was held on 9 May 2014.
on the road again
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
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But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
The song "On The Road Again" by Dr. Feelgood is about a blues musician who is tired of crying, having no woman to call his special friend, and being alone on his travels. He is reminiscing about when he first started traveling in the rain and snow, without a payroll or a place to go. His mother left him when he was young and she prayed for mercy for her wicked son. The musician talks to his mother, telling her not to cry anymore for him because he is going on a journey where he will not be alone. However, he cannot carry her with him; instead, he will have to carry someone else.
The song's lyrics and melody are simplistic but with a strong blues flavor, fitting for the band's genre. The repetition of lines such as "I'm on the road again" and "when I was quite young" serves to emphasize the melancholic tone of the song, while the lively guitar playing and heavy bassline provide a sense of energy and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm so tired of crying
I am exhausted of feeling sad and depressed
But I'm out on the road again
Nonetheless, I am out traveling again
I'm on the road again
I am back on the journey once more
I ain't got no woman
I do not have a female partner
Just to call my special friend
To refer to someone as uniquely important to me
You know the first time I traveled
The initial instance when I embarked on a trip
Out in the rain and snow
The journey involved precipitation and cold weather
In the rain and snow
The journey had inclement weather throughout
I didn't have no payroll
I had no money, income, or earnings
Not even no place to go
I did not have any location or destination to proceed to
And my dear mother left me
My loving mother abandoned me
When I was quite young
During an early age
She said "Lord, have mercy
She prayed for mercy from God
On my wicked son"
On her disobedient child
Take a hint from me, mama
I offer a suggestion to you, dear mother
Please don't you cry no more
Please stop crying from sadness and sorrow
Don't you cry no more
Do not weep any further
'Cause it's soon one morning
A specific morning is approaching shortly
Down the road I'm going
I am on my way down the path
But I ain't going down
But I am not succumbing
That long old lonesome road
That dreary, isolated path
All by myself
Without any companionship
I can't carry you, baby
I cannot bear to support you, my sweetheart
Gonna carry somebody else
I will provide assistance to someone else
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH L. HICKSON, NATHAN B. MORRIS, RICKIE KENNETH FAMBRO, WANYA JERMAINE MORRIS, SHAWN PATRICK STOCKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind