The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Afterwards, Bob Dylan recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour and they joined him on the informal recordings that became the acclaimed Basement Tapes.
Dubbed "The Band" by their peers, the group left the comfort of their communal home in Saugerties, NY to begin recording as a group unto themselves. The Band recorded two of the most important albums of the late 1960s: their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the hit single "The Weight") and 1969's The Band. These critically praised albums helped conceive country rock as something more than a genre, but rather as a celebration of "Americana." As such, throughout their career they would repopularize traditional American musical forms during the psychedelic era. The Band dissolved in 1976; Martin Scorcese's landmark concert film "The Last Waltz" documented their final performance. They reformed in 1983 without founding guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Robertson.
Although always more popular with music journalists and fellow musicians than the general public, The Band has remained an admired and influential group. They have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their music fused many elements: primarily old country music and early rock and roll, though the rhythm section often had a bouncy, funky punch reminiscent of Stax or Motown, and Robertson cites Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers as major influences. At its best, however, The Band's music was an organic synthesis of many musical genres which became more than the sum of its parts. The group's songwriting was also remarkable as, unlike much earlier rock and roll, and following upon the example set previously by The Byrds, very few of their early compositions were based on conventional blues and doo-wop chord changes.
The Band comprised Robbie Robertson (guitar); Richard Manuel (piano, harmonica, drums, saxophone); Garth Hudson (organ, piano, clavinet, accordion, synthesizer, saxophone); Rick Danko (bass guitar, violin, trombone); and Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar) Excepting Robertson, all were multi-instrumentalists; each person's primary instrument is listed first. There was little instrument-switching when they played live, but when recording, the musicians could offer all manner of subtle aural colors and textures to enhance songs. Hudson in particular was able to coax an impressive range of timbres from his Lowrey electronic organ; on the choruses of "Tears of Rage", for example, it sounds startlingly like a mellotron. Helm's drumming was rarely flashy, but he was often praised for his subtlety and funkiness. Critic Jon Carroll famously declared that Helm was "the only drummer who can make you cry," while prolific session drummer Jim Keltner admits to appropriating several of Helm's techniques.
Singers Manuel, Danko, and Helm each brought a distinctive voice to The Band: Helm's gritty, southern voice had more than a hint of country, Danko sang in a soaring, unfettered tenor, and Manuel alternated between fragile falsetto and a wounded baritone. The singers regularly blended in unorthodox, but uncommonly effective harmonies. Though the singing was more or less evenly shared between the three men, both Danko and Helm have stated that they saw Manuel as the Band's "lead" singer.
Robertson was the unit's chief songwriter (though he sang lead vocals on only three or four songs in The Band's career). This role, and Robertson's resulting claim to the copyright of most of the compositions, would become a point of much antipathy between the group's members, especially between Robertson and Helm.
Producer John Simon is cited as a "sixth member" of The Band for producing and playing on Music from Big Pink, co-producing and playing on The Band, and playing on other songs up through The Band's 1993 reunion album Jericho.
On 10 December 1999 is when Rick Danko died in his sleep at age 56. He had been a long-time drug user. In 1997 he had been found guilty of trying to smuggle heroin into Japan. He told the presiding judge that he had begun using the drug (together with prescription morphine) to fight life-long pain resulting from a 1968 auto accident. No drugs were found in his system at the time of his death. Following the death of Rick Danko, The Band broke up for good.
Levon Helm died on 19 April 2012 from complications of throat cancer.
Who Do You Love
The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whooooo
Ever since time began
Man loves a woman
Woman loves a man
This is the way it was meant to be
Through the pages, through the books
Of our history
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love, now
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love
One and one and one are three
I love you, do you love me
This is the place, now is the time
Give me your love, and I'll give you mine
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love, now
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love
This is simple, and it's true
There's a shining light all around you
You're the one, you're the fire
You can make it higher and higher
This is the place, now is the time
Tell me now darlin', will you be mine
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love
Put your arms around me
Ah, hold me tight
Ah, cuddle up darlin'
Ah, in the still of the night
Ah, you are the one
Ah, that I adore
Ah, you are the one that I love so well
This is the place, now is the time
Tell me now darlin', will you be mine
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love, now
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love, now
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love, now
You, you, you
Do you love me, do you love me, do you love me, now
You, you, you
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love
The Band's "Who Do You Love" is a simple love song that reflects on the power and simplicity of love since the beginning of time. The song opens with the repetition of "whoooo" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that man and woman's love is natural and meant to be, dating all the way back through the pages of history. The song then goes on to ask the question of who is loved, repeatedly asking, "who do you love?" The chorus features the repetition of “you," suggesting the singer is addressing their beloved directly.
The second verse suggests that love is a mutually beneficial partnership, with the lines, "One and one and one are three/I love you, do you love me?" This implies that love is a two-way street, with both partners contributing to the relationship equally. The third verse conveys the idea that the singer's beloved is the one for them, and they have the power to elevate their own life through this love. It ends with the singer asking their beloved to be theirs and proposing their love for them.
Overall, the song's message is simple: love is natural, powerful, and should be embraced. It is a call to action for lovers to seize the moment, live in the present, and embrace the love that is right in front of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since time began
From the start of humanity
Man loves a woman
Males have always fallen in love with females
Woman loves a man
Females have always fallen in love with males
This is the way it was meant to be
This is the natural order
Through the pages, through the books
Throughout recorded history
Of our history
Of human civilization
One and one and one are three
Love is a bond between two individuals
I love you, do you love me
A reciprocal expression of love
This is the place, now is the time
The present moment is ideal for expressing love
Give me your love, and I'll give you mine
Love is a two-way street
There's a shining light all around you
Love emanates from within individuals
You're the one, you're the fire
The source of love burns within the individual
You can make it higher and higher
Love can grow and intensify
Tell me now darlin', will you be mine
Will you commit to a relationship with me
Put your arms around me
Embrace me
Ah, hold me tight
Hold onto me firmly
Ah, cuddle up darlin'
Nestle yourself beside me
Ah, in the still of the night
During the calm, peaceful hours of the night
Ah, you are the one
You are my chosen one
Ah, that I adore
The one I deeply love and respect
Ah, you are the one that I love so well
My love for you is true and strong
Do you love me, do you love me, do you love me, now
Are your feelings of love still present
Who do you love, who do you love, who do you love
Who is the object of your affection
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steve Miller, Tim Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SuperSackdaddy
And now Robbie Robertson passes today. Our era of greatest songwriters are fading away.....
@ReggaeStrongTV
Rest in Peace Robbie Robertson. Forever young.
@michaelcarvlin7348
RIP Robbie Robertson. That's a big loss.
@bettysheehey6218
I had the privilege of being invited to Ronnie's beautiful home on Stoney Lake. It was a wonderful afternoon with Ronnie and his wonderful wife. I will treasure that day always. Indeed heaven is rocking with Ronnie's music. Thank you Art and Marilyn for including in your afternoon at Stoney Lake💖
@benhong540
May 29, 2022 R.I.P. Ronnie Hawkins. Thank you for giving Canada "Arkansas North!"
@okitssteph
Here to see The Hawks play. The best way I know to send my love and appreciation to Robbie and The Band tonight.
💔❤
@G_-jt2op
R.I.P. Robbie Robertson. The opening with his guitar is giving me everytime goosebumps
@regis387
another heart breaker🙁
@jaxsutro4880
Simply, LEGENDARY!!!….#RestInParadiseRobbie🙏🙏❤️
@peterzang
Why is he still alive underrated as a guitarist? Every lick is magic.