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.
Honest Man
Lowell George Lyrics
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One man to another how come some people are always runin' down
Everybody around them
His excuse is he thing we're fools we are useless.
He don't know how to live and let live
Or how to give when he takes
All he makes is a lot of heartbreak
Is that the way of an honest man doin' the best he can
I got some good friends you know their satisfied most the time
With a little with a little peace of mind.
They don't need no alibis no excuses no tellin' lies
You know they know how to live and let live
How to give, when they take
And never make a lot of heartbreak
Honest man, doin' best he can
That's the way of an honest man doin' the best he can
Honest man, doin' the best he can
It don't take a vision or a religion
Understanding is just not that demanding
No
And then you don't need no alibis, no excuses no tellin' lies
And then you know how to live and let live
How to give when you take
Never make a lot of heartbreak
Cause that's the way of an honest man
Doin' the best he can
That's the way of an honest man
Doin' the best he can
In "Honest Man," Lowell George reflects on the different ways people approach life and interact with others. The song contrasts an individual who is always putting others down and causing mayhem, with those who live honestly and seek peace of mind. The first verse describes the former, an individual who believes others are foolish and useless. This person lacks the ability to live and let live, taking without giving, and leaving only heartbreak in their wake. In the second verse, George talks about his own friends who are content with a little peace of mind, need no alibis, and know how to live in harmony with others. They are honest individuals who strive to leave no harm in their wake.
Ultimately, "Honest Man" champions the simple yet profound idea of living honestly and treating others with respect. It’s a reminder that understanding, empathy, and peace are achievable if only we try. The song encourages viewers to adopt the way of an honest man, doing the best they can, without resorting to lies, excuses, and heartbreak, as it is only through honesty that true peace and happiness can be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody can you tell me about the difference
The singer needs someone to explain the difference between two things.
One man to another how come some people are always runin' down
The singer is curious why some people always criticize others.
Everybody around them
The criticism is directed towards everyone around them.
His excuse is he thing we're fools we are useless.
Someone who criticizes others thinks that people are foolish and useless.
He don't know how to live and let live
The criticizer doesn't know how to mind their own business and let others live their lives.
Or how to give when he takes
The criticizer doesn't know how to give back when they take from others.
All he makes is a lot of heartbreak
The criticizer causes a lot of emotional pain for others.
Is that the way of an honest man doin' the best he can
The singer questions whether a person who constantly criticizes others is an honest person doing their best.
I got some good friends you know their satisfied most the time
The singer has some friends who are usually satisfied with their lives.
With a little with a little peace of mind.
These friends have peace of mind and don't need much else to be content.
They don't need no alibis no excuses no tellin' lies
The singer's friends don't need to make excuses or lie to justify their actions.
You know they know how to live and let live
The singer's friends know how to mind their own business and let others live their lives.
How to give, when they take
The singer's friends know how to give back when they take from others.
And never make a lot of heartbreak
The singer's friends don't cause a lot of emotional pain for others.
Honest man, doin' best he can
The singer considers an honest person to be someone who is doing their best.
That's the way of an honest man doin' the best he can
An honest person does their best and doesn't cause emotional pain for others.
It don't take a vision or a religion
You don't need to be religious or have some kind of divine vision to understand this.
Understanding is just not that demanding
Understanding how to be a decent person isn't that complicated.
And then you don't need no alibis, no excuses no tellin' lies
People who understand this don't need to make excuses or lie to justify their actions.
And then you know how to live and let live
People who understand this know how to mind their own business and let others live their lives.
How to give when you take
People who understand this know how to give back when they take from others.
Never make a lot of heartbreak
People who understand this don't cause a lot of emotional pain for others.
Cause that's the way of an honest man
Living by these principles is what makes someone an honest person.
Doin' the best he can
An honest person tries their best to live by these principles.
That's the way of an honest man doin' the best he can
An honest person lives according to these principles and does their best to do so.
Contributed by Callie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.