Originally from Nottingham in the UK, this band of virtuoso musicians under the leadership of Alvin Lee conquered the UK scene and then spread their wings to the USA. Their blend of jazz, blues and rock was initially slightly awkward but their first album provided an opening for them. In October, their 1967 self-titled debut album was released.
In 1968, after touring Scandinavia and the United States, Ten Years After released their second album, live Undead, which brought their first classic, "I'm Going Home." This was followed in February 1969 by studio issue, Stonedhenge, a British hit, that included another classic, "Hear Me Calling" (it was released also as a single, and covered in 1972 by British glam rock rising stars, Slade). In July 1969 they appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, in the first event to which rock bands were invited. In August, the band performed a breakthrough American appearance at Woodstock; their furious-to-soft-to-furious rendition of "I'm Going Home" featuring Alvin Lee as the lead singer was featured in both the subsequent film and soundtrack album and catapulted them to star status.
During 1970, Ten Years After released "Love Like a Man", their only hit in the UK Singles Chart. This song was on their fifth album, Cricklewood Green. The name of the album comes from a friend of the group who lived in Cricklewood, London. He grew a sort of plant which was said to have hallucinogenic effects. The band did not know the name of this plant, so they called their album Cricklewood Green. It was the first record to be issued with a different playing speed on each side – one a three-minute edit at 45rpm, the other, a nine-minute live version at 33rpm. In August, Ten Years After played the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 to an audience of 600,000.
In 1971, the band released the album A Space in Time which marked a move toward more commercial material. It featured their biggest hit, "I'd Love To Change The World". But a few albums later, the band broke up after the 1974 album Positive Vibrations. They re-united in 1983 to play the Reading Festival and this performance was later released on CD as The Friday Rock Show Sessions - Live At Reading '83. In 1988, they re-united for a few concerts and recorded the album About Time (1989). Finally, in 1994, they participated in the Eurowoodstock festival in Budapest.
Alvin Lee has since then mostly played and recorded under his own name. In 2003, the other band members replaced him with Joe Gooch and recorded the album Now. Material from the following tour was used for the 2005 double album Roadworks.
Lee died on March 6, 2013. According to his website, he died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."[2][3][4] He was 68. His former bandmates lamented his death, Leo Lyons called him "the closest thing I had to a brother", while Ric Lee (no relation) said "I don't think its even sunk in yet as to the reality of his passing." Billboard Magazine wrote of his passing, highlighting such landmark performances as "I'm Going Home" from the Woodstock festival and his 1974 hit single "I'd Love to Change the World."[5]
Band members:
Alvin Lee – guitar, vocals
Leo Lyons – bass
Chick Churchill – keyboards
Ric Lee – drums
Joe Gooch – guitar, vocals (joined in 2003)
You can also see Alvin Lee and / or Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Working on the road
Ten Years After Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been blowing my mind, I've been blasting my ears
Don't you know, babe?
I've been sleeping all day and working all night
I made a lot of money, but it don't feel right
Don't you know, babe?
Well, I've seen the world and it's seen me
Don't you know, babe?
Well, I've seen it bad and I've seen it good
But, now, I want to clear my blood
Don't you know, babe?
I've got a feeling for home
Somewhere that I call my own
Well, I tried to live the way I should
I've shed some tears and sweated blood
Don't you know, babe?
And I think it's time I took a break
'Cause I have took all I can take
Don't you know, babe?
I've got a feeling for home
Somewhere that I call my own
Take me home, babe
The song "Working on the road" by Ten Years After talks about the life of a person who has been working as a roadie for about fifteen years. He confesses to the struggles he has been through, including sleepless nights and the damage to his mind and ears. He has made a lot of money over the years, but he still feels troubled, and he wants to come home. The singer has traveled all over the world and has found that he has enjoyed both the good and the bad times. Still, he wants to return home and find a place where he feels he belongs, a place he calls his own.
The lyrics express the exhaustion and eagerness of returning home after years of work as a roadie, whose job entails setting up equipment and handling other logistics in the performing arts industry. The singer wants to have a break from a life that has consumed him for the last fifteen years. He sounds anguished in his quest for something that money cannot buy, a sense of belonging to a place he can call home.
In conclusion, the song "Working on the road" is a heartfelt plea of someone who has traveled far and seen the world, making a decent living but ultimately seeking a sense of belonging from a place he can call home.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been working on the road about fifteen years
For the past decade and a half, I've been spending most of my days traveling and working outside of my home.
Been blowing my mind, I've been blasting my ears
The constant noise and stress from working on the road has been taking a toll on my mental and physical health.
Don't you know, babe?
I'm addressing my loved one or listener, hoping they recognize the struggles I've been facing.
I've been sleeping all day and working all night
My work schedule has disrupted my normal sleeping patterns, and I've been sleeping during the day and working at night.
I made a lot of money, but it don't feel right
Even though I've earned a substantial amount of money from my work, it doesn't make up for the sacrifices I've made and the longing for a sense of stability and rootedness.
Well, I've seen the world and it's seen me
My extensive travels have exposed me to different people and cultures, but it's also taken a toll on my identity and sense of belonging.
In a strange kind of way I guess I'm free
Despite feeling the drawbacks of life on the road, there is something exhilarating and liberating about constantly being on the move.
Well, I've seen it bad and I've seen it good
I've experienced both the highs and the lows of working on the road, and it's given me a unique perspective on life.
But, now, I want to clear my blood
I recognize the need to take a break from my hectic lifestyle and prioritize my own well-being, both physically and emotionally.
Don't you know, babe?
I'm appealing to my loved one or listener for understanding and support in my quest for a life less consumed by work and more focused on my personal needs.
I've got a feeling for home
My constant traveling has left me with a strong desire for a stable and familiar place to call home.
Somewhere that I call my own
I long for a place of my own that I can settle into and customize to my own liking, and feel a sense of belonging to a particular community.
Well, I tried to live the way I should
Despite the sacrifices I've made, I've tried to live up to certain expectations and responsibilities that come with a life on the road.
I've shed some tears and sweated blood
My work has demanded physical and emotional labor from me, and I've given it my all despite the toll it's taken on me.
And I think it's time I took a break
I've come to the realization that I need to prioritize my own well-being and take a step back from my work.
'Cause I have took all I can take
I've reached my limit in terms of being able to withstand the demands and pressures of life on the road.
Take me home, babe
I'm pleading with my loved one or listener to help me find my way back home and create a sense of stability in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALVIN LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bingbongproductions5569
I was driving to work on day in high school in May and this older gentleman pulled up in the lane next to me while I was blasting this. He was looking at me so I turned it down a bit and he just said “I love when the young people play my tunes, brings me back to my 20s. You have a blessed day”. One of the coolest encounters I’ve ever had with a complete stranger
@xiropigado
So much energy, so much adrenaline, just makes you feel great to be alive. Fantastic driving song.
@michelhamon2314
j'ai 70 ans et ecouté pour la premiere fois TYA en 1967....je suis tombé sur le cul....et tjrs aujourd'hui les meme frissons....y love very
@michaelnivens6267
one of my favorite albums of theirs - fantastic band - Rest In peace Alvin - a truly superb rock guitarist
@touchofgrey5372
A true measure of success is how the public remembers you! There are lots of bands managing a top ten and months after they're nowhere to be found.
Ten Years After is alive and well in our memories decades after they were having destroyed the wannabes!
@jarettkuhn1399
The new singer for ten years after. A young cat. He can shred and sounds like alvin. He does this song to the teeee. U tube it you'll see what I'm talking about. Leo is still hammering the bass.
@Touchofgrey53
Damn, that's a great song! This is about the fifth or sixth time I am playing it. Plus about an hour last night! It's been nearly 30 years!!! Thanks
@robertvanderclock2657
My fave TYA tune.....want SO bad to sing this but no Karaoke version exists that I know of....DAMN.
@petrospappas2748
original British sound..a masterpiece in rock history...One of the Greatest Rock Songs of All Time..
@shanemccorkell1913
This takes me back to road trips with my dad, this wa blasting in the cassette player. Thank god my dad had great taste in music and I grew up on real music!!!