Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson OC (July 5, 1943 – August 9, 2023) was a Can… Read Full Bio ↴Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson OC (July 5, 1943 – August 9, 2023) was a Canadian musician. He was lead guitarist for Bob Dylan in the mid-late 1960s and early-mid 1970s, guitarist and songwriter with the Band from their inception until 1978, and a solo artist.

Robertson's work with the Band was instrumental in creating the Americana music genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Band, and into Canada's Walk of Fame, with the Band and on his own. He is ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists. He wrote "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and "Up on Cripple Creek" with the Band and had solo hits with "Broken Arrow" and "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", and many others. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters.

Robertson collaborated on film and TV soundtracks, usually with director Martin Scorsese, beginning in the rockumentary film The Last Waltz (1978) and continuing through dramatic films including Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1983), Casino (1995), Gangs of New York (2002), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Silence (2016), The Irishman (2019), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).

Robbie Robertson died in Los Angeles on August 9, 2023, at the age of 80, after a year-long battle with prostate cancer.

What About Now?
Robbie Robertson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's gonna be a change of season, mmm-hmmm
Indian summer look around and it's gone
Why you wanna save the best for last
We grow up so slowly and grow old so fast

We don't talk about forever
We'll just catch it while we can (on the way, I hope)
If I grab on to the moment

Don't let it slip away out of my hand

(What about now)
What about now
Forget about tomorrow
It's too far away
What about now
(What about now)
Close your eyes
Don't talk of yesterday
It's too far away, (too far away)
It's too far away
(What about now)

I'm coming out of the shadows
I'm getting off of this one way street
Blue memories they just gather dust
Leave them in the rain they turn into rust

And did you see the march to freedom, mmm-hmmm
Ever see savannah moon (in the middle of the rain)
All the people walking in a line
Said to the man, is it my time?

(What about now)
What about now
Forget about tomorrow
It's too far away (too far away)
What about now
(What about now)
Close your eyes
Don't talk of yesterday
It's too far away, (too far away)
It's too far away
(What about now)

In the walk of a lifetime
When you know it's the right time (bring it to me now)
I can't wait (I can't wait) until the ship comes in
I can't wait (I can't wait) starting all over again
The errors of a wise man
Make the rules for a fool

What about now
Forget about tomorrow
It's too far away (too far away)
(It's too far away)
What about now
Don't talk of yesterday
It's too far away,
It's too far away

(What about now)
What about now
Forget about tomorrow
It's too far away (too far away)
It's too far away
(What about now)
Close your eyes
Don't talk of yesterday
It's too far away
(It's too far away)
It's too far away
(It's too far away)
It's too far away
What about now

It's all about now, right now
Don't break the spell
Don't break the spell
Don't break the spell
(Don't break the spell)

It's all about now, right now
Now, right now

You're here right now
It's all about now

Don't worry about tomorrow

Don't break the spell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robbie Robertson's song "What About Now" are about seizing the present moment and not dwelling too much on the past or worrying too much about the future. The opening lines allude to the inevitability of change and how quickly time passes, with the reference to Indian summer being a metaphor for life's fleeting moments. The refrain "what about now" emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present moment rather than being preoccupied with what may or may not happen in the future. The verses touch on themes of letting go of past regrets ("Leave them in the rain they turn into rust") and being open to new experiences ("I'm coming out of the shadows").

The song also references historical moments, such as the "march to freedom" and the "savana moon," which suggest a wider context and invite the listener to consider the big picture. The final lines, "Don't break the spell, You're here right now, It's all about now, Don't worry about tomorrow," encapsulate the central message of the song - that the present moment is all we have, and we should make the most of it while we can.

Line by Line Meaning

There's gonna be a change of season, mmm-hmmm
Things are changing and seasons are going to change too, whether you are ready for it or not.

Indian summer look around and it's gone
The Indian Summer seizes the moment, and then it is gone before you even get a chance to enjoy it.

Why you wanna save the best for last
Why wait until the last moment to enjoy the best thing when you can enjoy it now?

We grow up so slowly and grow old so fast
Growing up takes so much time while growing old happens way too quickly. This is why one should embrace every moment.

We don't talk about forever
Forever is not something we discuss, but we can live life in the present moment.

We'll just catch it while we can (on the way, I hope)
We try and catch every moment of life and hope to live in the present without worrying about the future.

If I grab on to the moment
If I hold onto the moment and stay present, I can forget about missing it later.

Don't let it slip away out of my hand
If I hold onto the moment hard enough, it will not slip away, and I can enjoy it to the fullest.

Close your eyes
Take a moment to relax, and don't worry about what has happened or what will happen.

Don't talk of yesterday
Let go of what has happened before and focus on what is happening now.

Forget about tomorrow
Do not worry about tomorrow as it is too far away, so focus on what is happening now that is in our control.

It's too far away
Tomorrow, cannot be seen or experienced, so we should focus on today instead.

I'm coming out of the shadows
I am stepping out of the darkness and into the light, which is what life should be about.

I'm getting off of this one way street
I am taking a chance and making a change in my life away from monotony.

Blue memories they just gather dust
Memories that are not cherished and only looked back upon with sadness will only gather dust.

Leave them in the rain they turn into rust
When memories are left in the rain (fail to appreciate them), they decay like rust and become worthless.

All the people walking in a line
People have a set path they walk, which is predictable in a way.

Said to the man, is it my time?
People question if it is their moment based on their pre-existing notion of what the path takes.

In the walk of a lifetime
As we walk through life, we learn valuable skills and lessons from failures and successes.

When you know it's the right time (bring it to me now)
When you know it is the perfect time, you demand action so that it does not slip away.

I can't wait (I can't wait) until the ship comes in
I feel like I cannot wait any longer, and I have to act now without delay.

The errors of a wise man make the rules for a fool
The wise man makes use of errors and learns from them while the fool makes the same errors.

Don't break the spell
We should cherish the moment and not ruin it by ruining our thoughts.

It's all about now, right now
Life is all about living in the moment, seizing opportunities, and not letting anything slip by.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IVAN NEVILLE, ROBBIE ROBERTSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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TRACKS

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01Testimony4:50

02Somewhere Down the Crazy River4:57

03Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight3:52

04Sweet Fire Of Love5:17

05Showdown At Big Sky4:48

06Broken Arrow5:23

07Fallen Angel5:54

08Go Back To Your Woods4:50

09What About Now?5:10

PT5M10S

Robbie Robertson

10Resurrection5:20

11Night Parade5:07

12Day Of Reckoning6:46

13Sacrifice6:18

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Comments from YouTube:

Mike Maxwell

3y↑9

This song has IT. By IT, I mean everything.. Sadness, happiness, nostalgia, etc. It is such a gorgeous song performed to perfection.

Gayle Thomson

1y↑1

Great writer!

DeAnna DeRosa

5y↑22

My all time favorite performer. His lyrics are never shadowed by his music. He's a brillant lyricist and musician.

Danyelle Robinson

3y↑2

The lyrics are over shadowed when you're a music dyslexic who is slow to pick-up on interpersonal social cues. But, that's probably just me.
If I know anything about Storyville, the whole story is always more complicated than it appears.

Janice Solski

4y↑14

An everlasting forever beautiful classic.

Johnny Rabb

11y↑15

Neville killing the backup vox. This song and album was something I listened to almost every night in High School. It is absolutely in my top 10 of all time. Production, drumming and all musicianship. The arrangements and true time stamp this made on me is amazing.

Kev G H

2y↑5

How does this song get missed? The whole album is awesome!

John Thorne

The album is, literally, too good to be "popular".

d Hoxha

9y↑34

beautiful song by one of the greatest singer songwriters of all time. a dying breed.

Ericforster73

2y↑4

A beautiful song, from a forgotten album, from what seems like millions of years ago.

bardeuxfan

11y↑15

This song takes me back to a very poignant time in my life. Thanx for posting.

John Thorne

1y↑1

"Storyville" is one of the best albums of all time. When it came out, I purchased the CD right away. I had a job that required me to drive long distances fairly frequently. I remember thinking one time: have I just played this whole album in the car about 8 times consecutively? And loving, adoring, every second of it?[The answer was "YES"].

John Thorne

The bridge almost always brings me to tears: "In the walk of a lifetime, when you know it's the right time; I can't wait, until the ship comes in..." sublime, awe-inspiring, perfection.

88Musk

11y↑10

Great album and song.

Chris Sanchez

Yes i have to fallen angel i like that song

jsnweir

11y↑10

This song takes me back to a very happy time! This was the song of my first love and me....god I loved her! I still do! Thanks!

penbayman

11y↑15

Sometime around 1991 I was watching VH-1 at about 2 o'clock on a not-very-good morning, and this video came on. Purely by chance I hit the record button on the VCR and captured the entire video. Played it until the tape wore out. Glad to see it here.

Ericforster73

2y↑1

It's a great song to hear at 2 am!

Brian Clark

2y↑1

Magnificent, majestic bass.

BleuBlancoFilms

14y↑8

I always loved this video.....the way it moves and its coloring.

Danica C

51w

A legend RR! Knows all his songs by heart! Ok discovered him by the Martin Scorsese doc some years back! Better late than never. Thanks Scorsese! God he is great?

Brian Whittle

There will never be another like it again.

Gary

40w

Canadian legend and a excellent song!

John Wells

1y↑1

Simply Beautiful.

Mark Powell

9y↑7

One of my favorite songs from one of my very favorite CD's... Agree with GeoT ... Video trivializes the true meaning of the song.

CorneliusWashington

.....i disagree....smile....Mary Lambert and all involved did a great job....and Robbie was very pleased with the results....and it was an excellent way to promote the album...they played this video in very heavy rotation on VH1....

Robin Milner

1y↑1

Love ya Robbie!!

Security Industry Group

4y↑3

Beautiful

Ulf Utstrand

6y↑4

Now is always the right time...... I am RED CLOUD...a name given to me in a dream from an american native.

Steve Horton Gothlind Reiss

3y↑5

The historical significance of the defeat of the French at the hand of the British, and the influence of New Orleans as a slave-trading “mecca” for slaves of West Africa made this “the place, the Mississippi Delta, where black music and black musicians would change the world. At an early age, Robbie Robertson, knew he “was” the one to combine his song-writing skills and his succinct guitar style to harness tales of the disparity of the American south and his stolen black “riffs” of jazz, blues, rock n’ roll and his rasping, spoken word lyrics would define a new generation starting in the early sixties. The exodus of the Acadians from Eastern Canada and Robbie Robertson’s interest in the deeply segregated confederate American south, would imbue most of his musical compositions. The crypts of New Orleans and the degrading Afro-American images which would hang perilously like the cypress trees over the swamps and bayous and the nimbus-cumulus clouds pour torrents over Louisiana. The magnolia would grace every woman’s dress and hair and tupelo honey would try to sweeten a past where brother killed brother. The war between the North and the South will never end. Slavery must still happen in some southern back-hills. The tolerant North and the “Old South” still exists. White against white. White against Black. White southerners still despise the Black population. If there is a murder in a small town, they still hang the nearest black man. The hurricanes that frequently displace the poor black people who are seen as expendable to the “rebels” who fly the confederate flag. The Cottonmouth, a semi-amphibian, a poisonous viper creeps through the swamps of Louisiana. Its mouth appears like the cotton that the Southern blacks would once pick. Louisiana is full of music, food and the home of the Mardi Gras. Everyone would wear a mask to hide their identity superstition and the strange religious rites which The mime who blows the magic dust, the voodooist who gives a false impression, the black women who are seen as prostitutes and back-up singers and dancers in the video. Robbie Robertson's depiction of the black women and men in the video are examples of the exploitation which are a necessity to expose where in history the America Blacks are seen as ancillary: hand maidens and butlers to the white plantation owners. "It is the immediacy of the moment,” Robbie Roberson says, “Today is important. “What about now” he declares in this epic song and video. He has the passion that links every song in every album he writes. The Life/death dichotomy of New Orleans in the Mardi Gras. The Funerals always have a Dixie-land band where it was an exhibition of resignation where the theme would be “Take me lord.” In contrast, Robbie Robertson would sing an upbeat song employing a passionate call to live for today. Although he is not of Black Skin or Heritage, he recognized this was a delusion the Northern European Caucasian would have to exploit the talents of the Black and Racial Majority whose musical roots were jazz, blues, rock n’ roll and rap and hip-hop. Though the culture of New Orleans is full of the images of the crypts and superstitions of that city and death. It is the relative and friends' affirmations that you scribble all over is like the graffiti, that is all over the elevated graves of all of the crypts of that sinking in the deep south. Though mime, fashion, dance and the decadence of Ol' Dixie and he French quarter, this songwriter instead of waiting for God's grace to save your goal. No one knows better than this Metis Jew from an Indian reservation in Canada who dug in into the Plantation songs the Black slaves in the south to understand the disparity. We can both learn that this Jew, who goes back to his roots as a minority indigenous who learned his father was a Jewish thug. He was excited by the fact hat he could sell diamonds and had mercantile talents of blood relatives and guitar talents that affected an entire generation of talents through Ronnie Hawkins and Eric Clapton. The enslavement of the Plantation Afro-Americans who brings the politics of rap and hip-hop derived from West African Griots. Though the guys you see in the park, are not the ones you see as the heroes of the Media heroes, the hip-hop music they listen to gives them identity. Grand Master Flash in 1976 turned to the slums of Bronx turned gang fights into competitions of break dances and rapping into creative festivals. Although the Metis Jew used some of the decadence of New Orleans, it is obvious that Mardi Gras and New Orleans is full of decadence that everybody can understand. In the festival, transcendence to a better life would guarantee immortality and a lift to a holy place. Robbie Robertson owes everything aforementioned information to respecting everyone’s culture, and is a stronger person in God’s eye

Danyelle Robinson

Gumbo

CorneliusWashington

....oh we have to talk....LOL....i am the bald black dancer in the video....Mary Lambert ...the director of the video was fresh off her controversial video for....MADONNA'S....LIKE A PRAYER...and it was a huge production this video....with a huge budget....and we all pushed the boundaries visually and culturally with this video...more than a little daring...more than a little research....it did an excellent job introducing the album and single...the music genre...ADULT CONTEMPORARY...had just been coined..and they put the song in this category....VH1 had just come out with a new video category whose name i have forgotten and they played the video to death in this category.....i have very romantic memories looking at this video...it was very beautiful ...and romantic moment for me in my life and career......

Brenda Stone

4y↑4

Don't break the spell...EVER

Mike Maxwell

As I've grown older, I've never more appreciated the First Nation and Native Americans and what good they established. Of course, they were not perfect - none of us are or were. But these people have so many lessons they could teach us if we'd put aside our arrogance. This goes for all cultures and civilizations that came before "us." Us meaning present day. I think if we would just listen and put aside that arrogance that nothing has ever or will surpass what we have now. This is wrong - there have been civilizations and cultures that have surpassed where we are today and now. Not in the same sense, but in more ways that mean something, they were perhaps light years beyond us. I believe at the very least they were happy most of the time, where we merely get a glimpse of happiness now and then. You now, we gotta have money and all (which is absurd).

Terrie Johnston

3y↑3

ONLY GETS. BETTER W TIME. 👍👍👍 You must Check Out his, Red River Ensemble!!

Marcus Garvey

4y↑5

This song is so hot hypnotically and visually

Mike Maxwell

3y↑1

It's hypnotic for sure. This song has something that is hard to pinpoint, and perhaps that is what Robbie intended when he wrote and sang this song. Best to leave it alone and enjoy it for what it is - a surreal song that has no equal.

CorneliusWashington

2y↑1

......thanks....we all worked very hard on it....it had a huge budget....i am the bald black dancer in the video...and we took a lot of chances visually and culturally.....it was hard work....but also...a lot of fun...and the director....Mary Lambert was sizzling hot at the time and is still legendary to this day....we got along great...it's a very beautiful and romantic part of my life and career working with her....and i am wearing ARMANI HAUTE COUTURE....my 1st time wearing haute couture....

Marcus Garvey

@CorneliusWashington Thank you for making a video I’ve always treasured come to life with your shared experience!

CorneliusWashington

2y↑1

@Marcus Garvey ....no problem....if you have any more questions about the video feel free to ask.......Robbie's daughter is dancing in the video too....i forgot her name but she was very sweet and hung out with us...it was a lot of fun for her to be on her dad's big budget video and she was just thrilled to be around Mary.... who was in the middle of her big scandal for directing MADONNA'S extremely provocative video....LIKE A PRAYER......with the burning crosses and Madonna kissing a black saint...Robbie's song was at the time perfect for a new genre of music called....ADULT CONTEMPORARY...and it did well on the chart even though you may have some purists insist it's folk music...or roots music....VH1 had just created a new video show that covered the adult contemporary genre too and the video was played heavily on the show i have forgotten the name of the show....no shade on Robbie but a lot of us did not even know who he was really....i looked young but i was in my 30s ...i was well aware of who he was and his work and legacy....i have to say the true STAR on the set....was MARY...we ALL knew who she was and were thrilled to be working with HER...i suspect that put Robbie off a bit but that was not our fault...smile...the video is also featured very prominently on HIS website...he knows it's all around the best representation of him on every level...glad you like the video..i have been doing music videos and commercials as a dancer choreographer for over 25 years....and i must say....this is my fave...it's completely everything a performer lusts for....huge budget...great music....excellent exposure...peerless production...wonderful co workers...beautiful memories....with the BEST...in the business....

Marcus Garvey

@CorneliusWashington You make the early 90’s alive like a time machine. I remember that show on VH1 I even made VCR tapes of my fav videos on that channel. I was living in the Richmond district in SF. The days of being an Usher at the Warfield for free concert access. Margaritas at Tommy’s 23rd and Geary. And the Castro theater still played the organ on Sundays. “ Those were the days…” and hip hop classes at Gold’s Gym.

1 More Replies...

Kevin Travers

This song slaps

shane upham

3y↑5

being adopted into a all white family going to an all white school my friends were all white me being cree Robbie and his music was the only thing i had to any connection to my nations ancestors

Randall Kennedy

5y↑2

Favorite Song

R. R.

4y↑1

I love you Robbie. But I can't do the voodoo stuff

hollyastewart

4y↑2

Bahaha. Who's here thanks to a parent's obsession in your childhood?

Justa Wolf

11y↑5

been looking for this

RemoVegas

14y↑5

Thank You For Posting This Video...

meri vergar

11y↑3

thanks a lot!!!!

RadicalTendencies

11y

Robbie Robertson was all #YOLO before it was cool. He's like a Hipster or something :p

Chad Evans

10y↑3

Dated the girl in white for awhile.

Kenny Ronald

Chad Evans Me too

E Mail

Who didn't?

Geo T

9y↑6

Watery sound quality in this upload doesn't do it justice. I also hadn't seen the music video before, and it's disappointing; standard hot girl tease theme for a song that had a broader message.

Mark Powell

Agreed.

Pamela Stewart

Geo T thats the same i thought

Whiskeysuds Jackwagon

great song, TERRIBLE VIDEO!

Jordan -

Robbie always makes great songs but makes these cringe videos of himself with models for some reason lol. Maybe he thinks it's artistic.

CorneliusWashington

@Jordan - ....LOL....we all get older...and men his age still want to look....vital...LOL...

badnewsbarnett

10y

God he can't sing. Back to the guitar!

Geo T

9y↑6

You must not know much of his work. Distinctive voice that works well on many tracks, including this. Aaron Neville is in the background here. The sound quality of this video is poor, though.