Lowell George's first band, The Factory, formed in 1965. Members included future Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward (he replaced Dallas Taylor in Sept 1966), and Martin Kibbee (a.k.a. Fred Martin) who would later co-write several Little Feat songs with George, including "Dixie Chicken" and "Rock & Roll Doctor". Frank Zappa produced two tracks for The Factory. Following the disbanding of The Factory, George briefly joined the band The Standells. There followed a few months in late 1968 to early 1969 where George was a member of Zappa's band, the Mothers of Invention.
After leaving the Mothers of Invention, George invited fellow musicians to form a new band, which they named Little Feat. As Feat's primary motive force and chief songwriter, he sang, played slide guitar and produced much of their output of eight albums...plus "Hoy Hoy," a collection of live recordings and studio outtakes released posthumously. Recorded one amazing solo LP. Died at the age of 34. An autopsy showed that he died of an accidental drug overdose.
With Little Feat, Lowell crafted a completely unique-sounding band. His approach to the slide or "bottleneck" guitar was not based in the blues from whence it originated, but was rather tailored specifically for the New Orleans-style funk, jazz-tinged improvisations and straight-ahead rock which the band played so brilliantly.
Lowell became a major influence on other artists such as Linda Ronstadt and the Rolling Stones. Even a producer for the Grateful Dead.
Notorious for his hard partying life style, died of a heart attack at age 34. The rock world lost a musician of singular talent and vision with his passing.
Lowell's daughter, Inara George, is a solo artist and member of the duo The Bird and the Bee.
Find A River
Lowell George Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Composer: Fred Tackett)
Oh I wanna find a river
And take it down to the sea
And drift on by so slowly
Oh if you think about me
You know I would return in kind
Oh I wanna find a city
That's open wide
That's open all night
Where I could not hide
From it's burnin' light
So warm, so bright
Let me run so free and easily
Shelter me with its sweet mysteries
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Oh I wanna find my baby
But I do not know where he lies
And I do not know if he cries
Or laughs at me
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
I wanna find my baby
Oh I wanna find a river
The lyrics to Lowell George's song Find A River are rich with longing and a search for connection. The singer desires to find a river that will take him down to the sea, allowing him to drift slowly while thinking about his loved one. He reaches out to this person, hoping they will think of him and help him through his struggles. The desire for a city that is open wide and all night is expressed, where he can easily run so free without hiding from its burning lights. The symbolization of the city as a place of shelter with its sweet mysteries adds a sense of hope to the song and makes it more relatable.
The singer then expresses his need to find his baby, not knowing where he lies or if he is crying or laughing at him. The repetition of "Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord" in the chorus intensifies the feeling of desperation and adds a spiritual element to the song. The singer's desire to find a river is portrayed as a source of solace, a place where he can find peace amidst his struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I wanna find a river
I want to explore a river.
And take it down to the sea
I want to follow the course of the river until it leads me to the sea.
And drift on by so slowly
I want to float aimlessly downstream and take my time doing so.
Oh if you think about me
If you ever remember me, please consider helping me.
You know you could help me through
You have the power to assist me when I am in need.
You know I would return in kind
I would show my appreciation by helping you in return if you helped me.
Oh I wanna find a city
I want to explore and discover a new city.
That's open wide
A city that is welcoming and easy to enter.
That's open all night
A city that never sleeps, with activities and opportunities available 24/7.
Where I could not hide
A city that is so vibrant and exciting that I would not want to stay in my own room and hide.
From it's burnin' light
The city's light is so bright and captivating that it shines everywhere and attracts everyone.
So warm, so bright
The city has a warm and bright atmosphere that is delightful, welcoming, and exciting.
Let me run so free and easily
I want to be able to explore and run around the city without feeling constrained or restricted in any way.
Shelter me with its sweet mysteries
The city's mysteries and secrets are interesting and enchanting, and I want to be safely surrounded by them.
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Expressing desire for something, possibly divine intervention or assistance.
Oh I wanna find my baby
I want to locate and reconnect with my loved one.
But I do not know where he lies
I don't know where my loved one is currently located.
And I do not know if he cries
I do not know if my loved one is sad or happy.
Or laughs at me
I am unsure if my loved one is supportive or judgmental of me.
Oh I wanna find a river
Repetition of first line.
Contributed by Tyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deborah Tomlinson
I have loved and carried this song around in my head for 35 years now. Lowell George, one more casualty of the 60's/70's rock/drug culture was a musical genius. His music withstands the test of time.
Theo 80126
I was at that Paradise show. Could only afford to go to the 1st show, wanted to see both. What a treat. This song still brings a tear to my eye when I hear it 35 years later. Gawd, I miss Lowell. RIP Lowell and Richie. You both are terribly missed.
Thanks for posting this gem!
jones 4 walls
Ted Gee Back in 1998, after finishing my graduate degree, I lived in Lincoln Park, Chicago. On a Thursday, which was my day off, I walked to the now defunct Tower Records on Clark Street, in the hopes to purchase some new music. Guess who was there promoting their newest album "Under the Radar"?? Yes, Little Feat! I'm so grateful that I was able to see them again, because the last time I saw them perform live was in 1988, when Craig Fuller was the lead vocalist. After they would do a few songs, they would take a break, which gave me the opportunity to talk to them. I had lengthy conversations with Paul, Bill and Richie. I asked Bill Payne about "Find a River". I told him how much this song shook me to my core. His response was, " Lowell was a pure genius" . To this day, the best band ever is Little Feat, and the greatest singer ever is Lowell George.
Evans Toney
Listening to Lowell George ALWAYS TAKES me back to the wonder days of my youth! When MUSIC was so REAL....Love and miss L.G.!!!
Mick Doherty
One of the most beautiful songs Lowell ever did. R.I.P Lowell, you are sadly missed. Music just isn't the same without talents like you.
jenny Mason
I love his voice!!!!
Doc Dougherty
I think Miss Bonnie said it best upon hearing the news: "We just lost the best guitar-playin', singer-songwriter ever". Will always miss ya, Lowell. And thank you, Sir.
Jazznoend
Thanks to everybody for all your kind comments. We really love Lowell...
klippdachs
Outstanding!
One of the best singer/songwriter ever!!!
W. Mark Needham
Nice job on the Lowell songs! 1970's band of bands!