The Susan Tedeschi Band began in 1994 and featured Tom Hambridge and Adrienne Hayes. In 1995 Tedeschi began playing guitar and honing her skills. In December that year she released Better Days to regional audiences. Record contracts were difficult to keep together; however, recording sessions from 1997 were acquired by Richard Rosenblatt, and the band was signed to Tone-Cool Records and Just Won't Burn was released in February 1998 to rave reviews from blues publications.
During 1998 and 1999 Tedeschi toured extensively through out the United States and her spectacular stage presence and powerful voice drew larger crowds. Eventually Tedeschi was opening for John Mellencamp, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers Band, Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan. In 2000, Just Won't Burn reached gold record status, rare for such a production. She recorded two tracks with Double Trouble band members Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon for their album.
Tedeschi's voice has been described as a blend of Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, though she explains this is due to sharing the same influences as the two. Her guitar playing is influenced by Buddy Guy, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King and Doyle Bramhall.
Tedeschi grew up in Norwell, Massachusetts and attended the Berklee College of Music where she received her bachelor of music in composition and performance. Tedeschi had always been musically inclined, performing in musicals, singing for family members, and listening to her father's record collection. She formed a band in high school called the Smoking Section at age 15, sang in a Gospel choir at Berklee and began sitting in with local blues jams at venues in Boston. In 2001, she married Derek Trucks, Allman Brothers guitar player, leader of The Derek Trucks Band, and nephew of founding Allmans drummer Butch Trucks. They have two children, Charlie and Sophia. They currently reside in Jacksonville,FL, and regularly collaborate on each other's albums.
Back To The River
Susan Tedeschi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nightmare by my bed
waiting for the rider
wondering through my head
cause Im a long way from home
on the highway too long
got road dust in my mouth
and get back to the river
back to the river
oh back to the river
back to the river to take my time
so I can think about the little ones
keep them in my heart
born in a bad storm
an't no good when we're apart
well im miss their hugs
and chasing lighting bugs
they make me smile, but its gonna take a little while
to get back to the river,
back to the river
oh back to the river
oh back to the river to take my time
theres a full moon rising out tonight
might make be crazy but that all right
long as i find som peace of mine
Im going back to the river to take my time
where there's a campfire going
warm breezes blowing
mose hanging from the trees
I'll have all that i need
when i get back to the river
oh back to the river
back to the river
oh back to the river
oh back now
oh lord i got'a got'a get back
lord lord back now
back to the river
oh back to the river right now
oh oh
The lyrics to Susan Tedeschi's "Back To The River" embody the feelings of longing and nostalgia for home and the comfort it brings. The opening lines "wake in a cold sweat, nightmare by my bed" evoke a sense of uneasiness and restlessness. The singer is waiting for the "rider" while their mind is filled with thoughts of home. They have been on the highway for too long and need to head south to find solace.
The chorus "back to the river, back to the river" repeats as if it is a mantra that the singer is using to calm themselves down. The river represents a familiar and peaceful place, where the singer can take their time and reflect on their life. They think about the little ones they have left behind and how they miss their hugs and chasing lightning bugs. The campfire and warm breezes blowing are the embodiment of the comfort and serenity that the singer is searching for. The full moon rising is a symbol of hope, and even though it might make them crazy, everything will be alright as long as they find some peace of mind.
Overall, "Back To The River" is a beautiful song that expresses a universal sentiment of longing for home and the need for comfort and solace. The lyrics vividly describe the singer's journey to find their way back to the river and the memories and feelings associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
wake in a cold sweat
I woke up suddenly and frightened
nightmare by my bed
I had a bad dream that affected me greatly
waiting for the rider
I am expecting someone who will take me somewhere
wondering through my head
Thoughts are constantly running through my mind
cause Im a long way from home
I am far away from where I belong
on the highway too long
I have been driving for far too much time
got road dust in my mouth
I am tired and worn out from driving
I need to head down south
I must go back to where I feel comfortable and safe
and get back to the river
I want to return to the peaceful place that I love
so I can think about the little ones
I can focus on my loved ones whom I care for deeply
keep them in my heart
I will always cherish and care for them
born in a bad storm
They faced difficulties early on in their lives
an't no good when we're apart
It is not beneficial for us to be separated
well im miss their hugs
I really miss their warm embraces
and chasing lighting bugs
We used to play games together
they make me smile, but its gonna take a little while
Their memories bring me joy, but it takes time for me to feel better
theres a full moon rising out tonight
The moon is full and bright, which creates a certain atmosphere
might make be crazy but that all right
It might affect me emotionally, but it does not bother me too much
long as i find som peace of mine
As long as I can feel calm and comfortable
where there's a campfire going
Where people are gathered around a fire
warm breezes blowing
The air is warm and calming
mose hanging from the trees
There are mosses hanging from the trees
I'll have all that i need
I will have everything I want and need
oh lord i got'a got'a get back
I really need to return to where I belong
back to the river right now
I want to go to the river right away
Writer(s): Tony Joe White Copyright: Wampus Cat Publishing
Contributed by Henry H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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