He is best known for performing in The Allman Brothers Band. He was born and spent much of his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee, before relocating to Daytona Beach, Florida. He and his brother, Duane Allman, developed an interest in music in their teens, and began performing in the Allman Joys in the mid-1960s. In 1967, they relocated to Los Angeles and were renamed the Hour Glass, releasing two albums for Liberty Records. In 1969, he and Duane regrouped to form the Allman Brothers Band, which settled in Macon, Georgia.
The Allman Brothers Band began to reach mainstream success by the early 1970s, with their live album At Fillmore East representing a commercial and artistic breakthrough. Shortly thereafter, Duane was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1971. The following year, the band's bassist, Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle accident very close to the location of Duane's wreck. Their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters became their biggest hit, and Allman pursued a solo career afterward, releasing his debut album, Laid Back the same year. Internal turmoil took over the group, leading to a 1975 breakup. Allman was married to pop star Cher for the rest of the decade, while he continued his solo career with the Gregg Allman Band. After a brief Allman Brothers reunion and a decade of little activity, he reached an unexpected peak with the hit single "I'm No Angel" in 1987. After two more solo albums, the Allman Brothers reformed for a third and final time in 1989, and continued performing until 2014. He released his most recent solo album, Low Country Blues, in 2011, and his next, Southern Blood, is set to be released in 2017.
For his work in music, Allman was referred to as a Southern rock pioneer and received numerous awards, including several Grammys; he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. His distinctive voice placed him in 70th place in the Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". Allman released an autobiography, My Cross to Bear, in 2012.
Allman died in Savannah, Georgia, on May 27, 2017.
Please Call Home
Gregg Allman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause oh, somehow it means so much to me
And if you ever need me, you know just where I'll be
So please call home, if you change your mind
Oh, I don't mind
I guess I saw it comin', day by day
But oh, I could not stand the failure
Please call home, if you change your mind
Oh, I don't mind
And I know, that you're used to runnin'
Oh you're lost baby, and I ain't funnin'
But oh, when you call to me, well, I'll come runnin'
Safe to your side, again I'll confide in you
So go ahead on, I won't say no more
My heart ain't in it but I'll hold the door
But just remember what I said before
Please call home, if you change your mind
Please call home, if you change your mind
Please call home, if you change your mind
The song "Please Call Home" by Gregg Allman is a heartfelt appeal to a lover who is about to leave. The singer is asking the lover to take one last look before leaving as it means so much to him. He promises to always be there for the lover if they ever need him, and asks them to call him if they change their mind. The singer is resigned to the fact that the lover is leaving, but he is also heartbroken and doesn't want them to go.
In the second verse, the singer admits that he saw the breakup coming but still couldn't handle the feeling of failure. He implores the lover to call him if they change their mind, and he also recognizes that the lover is used to running away from problems. However, he promises to come running if the lover calls him and confesses his love for them. In the final verse, the singer asks the lover to go ahead and leave but to remember to call him if they change their mind.
The song is a classic example of Gregg Allman's soulful and passionate delivery. The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of heartbreak and longing. The song's simple structure and chord progression allow Allman's voice to shine through and convey the raw emotion of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Take one last look before you leave
Take a moment to reflect on our time together before you depart
'Cause oh, somehow it means so much to me
Leaving without acknowledging our past is hurtful to me
And if you ever need me, you know just where I'll be
I will always be here for you, wherever you go
So please call home, if you change your mind
In case you reconsider and want to come back, let me know
Oh, I don't mind
I'm not angry or resentful, just hurt
I guess I saw it comin', day by day
I could sense our relationship falling apart over time
But oh, I could not stand the failure
I couldn't bear the idea of our love failing
Before you leave, there's just one thing I must say
I need to express one final sentiment before you go
And I know, that you're used to runnin'
I understand your tendency to run away from your problems
Oh you're lost baby, and I ain't funnin'
I recognize that you are confused and in need of guidance
But oh, when you call to me, well, I'll come runnin'
Whenever you need me, I will be there for you without hesitation
Safe to your side, again I'll confide in you
I will offer you comfort and support, just like old times
So go ahead on, I won't say no more
You have made your decision and I won't argue with you anymore
My heart ain't in it but I'll hold the door
I'm heartbroken but I will still show you kindness and respect
But just remember what I said before
Don't forget that I'm always here for you
Please call home, if you change your mind
I hope you will reconsider and come back to me
Please call home, if you change your mind
I will never stop hoping for your return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREGG L. ALLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Hyder
Greg was the finest southern blues singer ever. One can always feel the emotion as genuine.
Roberto Trama
Don't forget about all the other blues singers from the south. The list is pretty long and black. Don't get me wrong, I love Gregg's singing. But you can't make a statement like that without remembering the men who inspired Southern Rock and Blues. The list is too long to mention. Let's just say it starts with Robert Johnson and a few others from that timeframe. Gregg would have been the first to tell you that.
James Cantrell
I think you nailed it brother I think everything he sung his heart his emotion his soul were embedded in the lyrics and the music his composition skills were uncanny. You feel like he was a friend even though you never met him I hope I get to meet him on the other side
Duke Richards
I'm not ashamed to say this song brings a tear to the eye. VERY VERY underrated song.
no B
And let me guess you probably think The Allman Brothers are underrated too.
Duke Richards
@Flavum That sounds more like it. Either way, great song that doesn't get as much attention as it should when compared to the Allman Bros songs that are constantly played on the radio
Flavum
Underrated by whom? Maybe you mean it's just not as widely known or commercially successful?
Wallsmarts
Me too. Join the club.
Karen Clayton
One true fact about this band, they never hurried up a song. They always let the song breathe and never missed a spot to do something special with every moment spent in the song. Great song. I love lyrics. Their songs have some of the best I've ever heard. Heartfelt for sure.
Scott Gibson
@judy Girl They always started on time when I have seen them and yes they played for hours. What a band. I never seen them with the original lineup but I did see them when Dicky was still with them.