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.
Twilight
Rick Danko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hot in summer night
We lay in the tall grass
'Til the early mornin' light
If I had my way
I'd never get the urge to roam
But a young man serves his country
Don't send me no sweet salutation
Or city silver near and far away
Don't leave me all alone here in the twilight
You know twilight is the loneliest time of day
Well, I never gave it a second thought
It never crossed my mind
What's right, what's not
I ain't the judgin' kind
I can take the darkness
Oh, storms flying in the skies
But we all got certain trials
Keep 'em burnin' up inside
Don't put me in a frame upon the mantel
For memories roll dusty, old and gray
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
'Cause twilight is the loneliest time of day
Don't leave me all alone here in the twilight
'Cause twilight is the loneliest time of day
Yes, it is
The song "Twilight" by Rick Danko depicts a longing for companionship and a fear of loneliness. The opening lines of the song set the scene of a warm summer night spent with a companion in the wild woods. However, there is an underlying sense of apprehension as the singer pleads for his loved one to not leave him alone during the twilight, which is considered the loneliest time of the day. Danko uses the imagery of the twilight to convey a sense of isolation and abandonment, highlighting the need for human connection.
As the song continues, Danko shifts his focus to the concept of judgment and morality. The line "What's right, what's not, I ain't the judgin' kind" suggests a reluctance to pass judgment on others. Instead, he appears to focus on his own internal struggles and the all-encompassing feeling of loneliness. The repeated refrain of "Don't leave me alone in the twilight" emphasizes the depth of the singer's need for human connection.
Overall, "Twilight" is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of loneliness, companionship, morality, and judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Over by the wild wood
We were near the forest where the woods were untouched and undisturbed by humans.
Hot in summer night
The summer was hot and humid, making it difficult to sleep.
We lay in the tall grass
We found comfort in laying down in the high grass during the night.
'Til the early mornin' light
We stayed up laying in the grass until the early morning when the sun was rising.
If I had my way
If it were up to me, I wouldn't want to leave this place.
I'd never get the urge to roam
I wouldn't feel compelled to wander somewhere else to find peace.
But a young man serves his country
As a young man, I have the obligation to serve my country if asked to do so.
And an old man guards the home
As an old man, my duty would be to ensure the safety of my home and loved ones.
Don't send me no sweet salutation
I do not want any affectionate greetings or words.
Or city silver near and far away
I reject the materialistic culture of the city that values only silver and other valuables.
Don't leave me all alone here in the twilight
I don't want to be abandoned in the dark hours between the day and night.
You know twilight is the loneliest time of day
It is a known fact that the moments before the sun sets or rises are the most solitary time of the day.
Well, I never gave it a second thought
I never pondered the morality of my actions or behavior.
It never crossed my mind
I never considered the possible consequences or outcomes of my decisions.
What's right, what's not
I don't have any clear sense of what is morally correct or incorrect.
I ain't the judgin' kind
I am not a person who passes judgment on others, nor do I wish to be judged by anyone.
I can take the darkness
I can handle being in the dark or going through dark times.
Oh, storms flying in the skies
I am familiar with the turbulence that occurs both in the sky and in life.
But we all got certain trials
We all have our own unique challenges to face in life.
Keep 'em burnin' up inside
We must let our difficulties and hardships burn inside of us.
Don't put me in a frame upon the mantel
I don't want to be remembered as just a picture on a shelf or framed object.
For memories roll dusty, old and gray
Memories fade away and eventually become outdated and irrelevant.
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
I don't want to be deserted or forsaken during the lonely hours between daytime and nighttime.
'Cause twilight is the loneliest time of day
These moments of partial darkness are the most isolating and lonesome times.
Don't leave me all alone here in the twilight
I need someone to keep me company during the soliloquies of transition between day and night.
'Cause twilight is the loneliest time of day
These moments are filled with solitude and detachment.
Yes, it is
A confirmatory response, supporting the statement that twilight is the loneliest time of day.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chiplovitt8538
This is a great song as we all know, but this is an especially beautiful version. Rick Danko was such a soulful singer.
@rckrtcrg1246
Agree! This is one of three versions of Twilight that I have and I'll never part with any of them. The others are the one he and Garth Hudson performed live on Mountain Stage (I think around 1989), and then the "early alternate version" on the Northern Lights rerelease.
@susanprincell7225
Rick Danko is just so intriguing. The diamond in the rough. I wish their had been memoirs or biography.
@noneanywhere7600
OH MAN! I did not realize that Mr. Danko has passed on! I was going to say thank-you sir! This song has jerked so many tears from my eye's, remembering the life that has long left me, thinking about the life I am currently living in, and thoughts as to what my life will be. there is one thing he got right, "Twilight is the loneliest time of day". Rest in peace with our Father Rick Danko!
@jeffdachef
I miss the the voices of Rick and Richard so much, heaven is filled with their voices I'm sure!
@clarkboozer3801
I miss him too.
@procopiojrpalacios9702
Ricky singing another Robbie composition... Musical greatness! RIP, brother.
@user-kz7ju3ck3j
Two incredible talents - Rick and Robbie. I sure wish Rick was still with us.
@kernow234
And the sun don't shine anymore, RIP Rick You contributed so much
@gadammit69
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been looking literally TEN years for this version!!! It takes me back to living out in the country kickin back. God BLESS you for posting this!