At the age of 14 (1957) Danko booked himself as an opening act for ronnie hawkins, & his band The Hawks. Hawkins asked Danko to join his band as a rythym guitarist, though later he would have Danko learn the bass, and by 1960 was Hawkins' bassist.
Around 1963 The Hawks broke away from Hawkins and the members (including Danko) would go on to continue as the Levon Helm Sextet (later renamed to The Canadian Squires and Levon and the Hawks).
In 1965, Bob Dylan recruited Levon and the Hawks to accompany him on his 1965/66 wold tour. However, Levon Helm chose not to tour with Dylan and was replaced on the tour by drummer Mickey Jones. In 1968, Danko and The Hawks, who had moved to Woodstock, where they began to be referred to as simply "the band," began recording with Dylan in the basement of a big pink house that Danko had rented (and which would soon become famous on its on as "Big Pink"). With Levon Helm back in the fold, they also released their first demo, allowing them to secure a record deal with Capitol Records. Working over the next few months, the five-piece band recorded what would become their debut album, Music From Big Pink. At this time, the group more or less officially changed their name from The Hawks to The Band, this time with a capital "B." Shortly after the album was released, Danko was seriously injured in a car crash, breaking his neck and back in nine places. Though he was laid up in traction for many weeks, he recovered and worked with The Band until 1976, when the group did their final concert at San Francisco's Winterland. The film of the concert, directed by Martin Scorsese, was released as "The Last Waltz" in 1978.
Danko would go on to record solo work on Arista Records, releasing his first solo work in 1977 (his self-titled debut). In the early 1990s, Danko teamed with Jonas Fjeld and Eric Andersen and three albums were released, Danko/Fjeld/Andersen in 1991, Ridin' on the Blinds in 1994, and One More Shot in 2001. Danko released a live album in 1997 (Rick Danko in Concert), and, in 1999, he released Live on Breeze Hill, which featured a new studio version of his much-loved song, "Sip the Wine" (the original version was on his first studio album) and was already working on material for his next work called Times Like These. On December 10, 1999, Danko's heart gave out and he passed away in his sleep. Times Like These was released posthumously the following year.
All Our Past
Rick Danko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to be the one to take the blame.
I don't want to be the one to throw it over.
I don't want to be the one to feel ashamed.
I don't want to be the one who thinks of nothing.
I don't want to be the one to tell you what you have seen.
After all this time, well I thought that you were mine.
[Chorus]
All our past times should be forgotten.
All our past times should be erased.
I don't care how much it costs;
Cause I don't count the loss
As long as I can see your face again.
You don't have to tell me when you're leaving,
If it's half past one, if it's maybe four.
It makes no difference where you think you're going,
But please remember not to slam the door.
[Chorus]
Yes, I don't care how much it costs;
You know I don't count the loss
As long as I can see your face again.
The song "All Our Past Times" by Rick Danko is a melancholic ballad about a relationship that is at the brink of falling apart. The singer expresses that he does not want to be the one who apologizes, takes the blame or feels ashamed because the situation they are in is a result of both parties' actions. He also doesn't want to be the one who thinks of nothing or tells his partner what they have seen. Despite all this, he still hoped that the relationship would work out and that they could share their dreams together.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that all their past moments should be forgotten and erased, implying that the relationship has reached a point of regret and nostalgia. The singer does not care about the cost or the loss as long as he can see his partner's face again. The second verse suggests that the partner might leave, but the singer only asks that they remember not to slam the door.
The lyrics of "All Our Past Times" capture the essence of a relationship that has reached its breaking point. It showcases the emotional turmoil and difficulty of letting go of someone you have shared intimate moments with. The song's beauty lies in its simplicity and honesty, and Danko's soulful voice perfectly captures the emotions of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to be the one to say I'm sorry.
I prefer not to apologize for what I did not do wrong.
I don't want to be the one to take the blame.
I would not want to be accused of something I didn't do.
I don't want to be the one to throw it over.
I'd rather not be the one to end a relationship or friendship abruptly.
I don't want to be the one to feel ashamed.
I don't want to be guilt-ridden after an argument or disagreement.
I don't want to be the one who thinks of nothing.
I don't want to be the one to partake in conversations without any significant input.
I don't want to be the one to tell you what you have seen.
I don't want to be the one to contradict or deny someone's perception of reality.
After all this time, well I thought that you were mine.
I believed that the person in question belonged to me after so many spent together.
I just want to be the one who would share this dream.
I'd give anything to share common goals, aspirations, and fantasies with this person.
All our past times should be forgotten.
We should let the events of the past- both the good and the bad- be put behind us.
All our past times should be erased.
We need to forget what happened in the past and start making new memories.
I don't care how much it costs;
I'm willing to go to any length to reconnect.
Cause I don't count the loss
I'm not concerned with what I might have to forgo.
As long as I can see your face again.
Being in your presence is my biggest desire.
You don't have to tell me when you're leaving,
You are free to come and go as you please.
If it's half past one, if it's maybe four.
The time you choose to leave is not of consequence to me.
It makes no difference where you think you're going,
My care for you transcends your physical location.
But please remember not to slam the door.
Please leave the situation open to closure or reconciliation.
Yes, I don't care how much it costs;
I'll pay any price to share a moment with you.
You know I don't count the loss
I am willing to face any consequences no matter what they may be.
As long as I can see your face again.
The presence of you in my life is invaluable to me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, RICHARD CLAIRE DANKO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ellen Friend
This song is beyond amazing! Rick’s vocals make me cry! They are so moving! Hauntingly beautiful!
Jay T.
Rick is one of the greatest singers in rock and roll history
Paul Roberts
They left this song out of the movie. That decision blows! Great song!
Jeannette Jackson
Miss You Rick D..RIP .. heavens a nice place to be.. thank you for being here with us and sharing your awesome soulful musical gifts with us. Jeannette x.
sloopyblue phil
a ever lasting classic.......eric n company
meikelkorleone
That's for sure, you better keep'm in your heart. It's the right place for a guy like him.
Angelo Ruiz
Rick danko miss you badly peace Angelo
Kobi Hadar
very nice job
CPR4LIFE
This song rules so fucking much!
nyrichiek
He wanted to join them so badly.. He was extremley close with Richard.