Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer GREGG ALLMAN is both a founding member of one of the biggest and most important American bands of all time, the still-active and thriving Allman Brothers Band, and a critically acclaimed solo talent. A natural artist gifted with a beautifully soulful and distinctive voice as well as brilliant keyboard and guitar expertise, Allman is a legendary performer who, more than 30 years down the road, still loves making music as much as ever. The current GREGG ALLMAN band lineup performing in 2007 is: BRUCE KATZ (keyboard), JERRY JEMMOTT (bass), STEVE POTTS (drums), MARK McGEE (guitar), JAY COLLINS (sax) and FLOYD MILES (percussion).
At the start of his enduring career, Gregg Allman and his brother Duane put together a number of different groups, including their very first professional ones, The Allman Joys and The Hour Glass. Whatever the configuration, Gregg’s powerful lead vocals, emerging songwriting and keyboard prowess perfectly complemented Duane’s now-legendary guitar virtuosity.
In 1969, their brotherhood made history with the formation of the massively influential act that both kick-started the entire genre of Southern Rock and defined an era of ‘70s rock ‘n roll with its freewheeling yet musically masterful sound, The Allman Brothers Band. The band’s unique amalgam of rock, blues, country and even jazz flourishes expanded the boundaries of rock music and their signature, extended onstage jamming set new standards for live concert performance. In addition to his singing and playing, Gregg wrote many of their most memorable signature hits, including the classics “Whipping Post” and “Dreams” from their self-titled debut album, “Midnight Rider” and “Please Call Home” from their second LP, Idlewild South and “Melissa” from 1972’s Eat A Peach.
In 1971, at the height of fame, and just two weeks after their legendary live record At Fillmore East was certified Gold, The Allman Brothers Band suffered the tragic and untimely passing of Duane Allman, and the very next year, of bassist Berry Oakley. Despite the losses, Gregg dedicated himself to keeping The Allman Brothers tradition alive, and to this day, the band remains a musical powerhouse, acclaimed both on record and onstage.
In March 2003, the group released their first album in nine years, Hittin’ The Note (Peach/Sanctuary) following it up with several U.S. tours throughout 2003-2004. The group recorded their annual New York City March Madness run and later that year released the Live At The Beacon Theatre DVD, which was quickly certified gold. March 2004 marked the release of One Way Out, a live album from the same ’03 Beacon stand. In addition to Gregg and original members Butch Trucks (drums and tympani) and Jaimoe (drums) the current ABB line-up boasts Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks on guitar, Oteil Burbridge on bass and Marc Quinones on congas and percussion.
The first of Gregg Allman’s six albums to date outside of his work with ABB, Laid Back, was released in 1973, the same year that The Allman Brothers Band’s monstrously successful Brothers & Sisters topped the album charts. Laid Back’s subtly textured eclectic mix of rock, folk, R&B and gospel inflections drew rave reviews and instantly put Gregg on the map as an accomplished touring solo artist.
Subsequent solo releases include the live Gregg Allman Tour ’74, (recorded at Carnegie Hall) and 1977’s Playin’ Up A Storm (which also featured the musical artistry of greats Dr. John and Little Feat’s Bill Payne). In 1987 Gregg released his second gold album I’m No Angel, which generated a 1 Album Radio hit with the unforgettable title track, a self-meditation on Allman’s often bad-boy ways. After that hit’s follow-up, 1988’s Just Before The Bullets Fly, Gregg Allman directed his energy to the reformation of the ABB. That effort resulted in multiple Grammy nominations and ABB’s induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1997 Gregg released Searching For Simplicity, the album he feels represents some of his very best work. “I really took my time with that one,” says Gregg. “It took me three years just to write the songs and gather the material…I put the record together in a manner so that each tune knocked my socks off.” Obviously, there’s a major difference for Gregg between his solo endeavors and the Allman Brothers Band efforts. “There’s only one cook in the kitchen,” he says, “only one chef. I let the soloists do their thing – you’ve gotta let a man do a solo the way he wants – but as far as picking the tunes and working on the arrangements, I take full responsibility for it.” On Searching For Simplicity, as well as his other solo albums and tours, Gregg Allman indeed found a recipe that works. Gregg Allman is a survivor; having weathered many tragedies in life--as well as the occasional pitfalls and detours of a full-tilt rock ‘n roll lifestyle--he’s continued to grow both personally and musically.
Having searched for blissful simplicity in life as in art, Gregg Allman now lives peacefully in Georgia with his wife, his dogs, a new home studio and several “cherry” Harley Davidson motorcycles. Simple as that.
Lead Me On
The Gregg Allman Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew yesterday
Somehow, somewhere...
You picked up on same dangerous ways
I'm always caring,
Each and every day;
I give you all of my love
And you throw it back in my face...
Oh...where have I been going wrong...
Every girl, I've ever known,
Has wound up leading me on
I...ain't getting no stronger,
And you only give me just enough
To keep me holdin' on...longer
Tell me why,...Oo you have to lead me on
Tell me why can't you find it in yourself,
To just leave me alone
Your promises,
Mean less than nothing to me anymore
Lately, l've been wondering
What am I wasting my good time for
Over and over again
I catch you in your evil lies,
This whole charade is over,
Baby, goodbye...
Oh,...where have I been going wrong...
Every girl, I've ever known,
Has wound up leading me on
I...aint getting no stronger
And you only give me just enough
To keep me holdin on...longer
Tell me why...do you have to lead me on
Oh why cant you find it in yourself,
To just leave me alone
I...aint getting no stronger,
And you only give me just enough
To keep me holdin on...longer
Tell me why...do you have to lead me on
Oh why cant you find it in yourself,
To just leave me alone
The Gregg Allman Band's song "Lead Me On" is a poignant account of a man's frustration with his partner who constantly leads him on, despite his consistent love and care. In the opening verse, he acknowledges that his partner has changed from the person he knew previously, and has "picked up on same dangerous ways" that are hurting their relationship. He confesses that he has been giving her his all, but she throws it back in his face, leaving him confused about where he's been going wrong. He reveals that every girl he has ever known has led him on, and he's not getting any stronger under these circumstances.
In the second verse, the man has had enough of his partner's false promises, which mean nothing to him anymore. He wonders why he's wasting his time in a relationship where he's consistently being fed lies. He's reached a breaking point, and he's caught his partner in her "evil lies" over and over again. He decides that this charade is over, and it's time to say goodbye. The song ends on a plaintive note, with the man pleading with his partner to leave him alone, to find it in herself to end things between them.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby you ain't the same girl
The person the singer is addressing has changed over time.
I knew yesterday
The singer used to know this person, but they've changed.
Somehow, somewhere...
The singer doesn't know how this change happened.
You picked up on some dangerous ways
The person the singer is addressing has developed risky traits/behaviors.
I'm always caring,
The singer is kind and attentive to this person.
Each and every day;
This kindness happens consistently.
I give you all of my love
The singer deeply cares for this person.
And you throw it back in my face...
This person is unappreciative and unkind to the singer.
Oh...where have I been going wrong...
The singer is questioning what they've done to deserve this treatment.
Every girl, I've ever known,
The singer has experienced this kind of mistreatment from other women in the past.
Has wound up leading me on
These women have lied and manipulated the singer.
I...ain't getting no stronger,
The singer is feeling weaker because of this toxic relationship.
And you only give me just enough
The person is only barely meeting the singer's needs.
To keep me holdin' on...longer
This person is keeping the singer in the relationship despite its negative effects.
Tell me why,...Oo you have to lead me on
The singer is pleading with this person to stop tricking and hurting them.
Tell me why can't you find it in yourself,
The singer wants to know why the person can't treat them with respect and kindness.
To just leave me alone
The singer wants this person to stop causing them pain.
Your promises,
The person has made commitments to the singer.
Mean less than nothing to me anymore
The person's promises have lost their value because they've broken them so often.
Lately, l've been wondering
The singer is questioning the value of this relationship.
What am I wasting my good time for
The singer feels like they're wasting their valuable time on this toxic relationship.
Over and over again
This cycle of mistreatment has happened repeatedly.
I catch you in your evil lies,
The person is deceitful and manipulative.
This whole charade is over,
The relationship is ending because the singer can't take any more of this person's actions.
Baby, goodbye...
The singer is ending the relationship.
Oh,...where have I been going wrong...
The singer is still trying to understand why they ended up in this situation.
Every girl, I've ever known,
The singer has experienced this kind of mistreatment from other women in the past.
Has wound up leading me on
These women have lied and manipulated the singer.
I...aint getting no stronger
The singer is still feeling weak and vulnerable after this experience.
And you only give me just enough
The person is still barely meeting the singer's needs.
To keep me holdin on...longer
This person is still trying to keep the singer in the relationship.
Tell me why...do you have to lead me on
The singer is still pleading with this person to stop hurting and manipulating them.
Oh why cant you find it in yourself,
The singer is still desperately hoping for a better outcome.
To just leave me alone
The singer still wants this person to stop causing them pain and hurting them.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim Sweeney
I think Greggs' voice was at his best at this time..Dan Toler could not have played better...Tim Heding played excellent keys...this band was at the top of their game..
notrombones
Although little-known, this a first-rate R&B tune, and recording. Top-notch in every respect. Haunting, dramatic and powerful.
Dale Intorf
...I Rocked this album from First Notes "....Badass on every level , production , musicians , Gregg , musicians , Gregg , all tracks are hits and some out of the park ! ..Gregg ! .....Nailed it Bro !
CREOLE VIKING
Just a great album all around.
Carol Griffith
Such a good recording....so miss him. Bless his heart. Sweet man, good friend to all. Much love Gregg.
samansun
Superb medley of tunes, tones and time variations. Allman made sure is ...
BrentMFisher
One of my top 5 favorite vocalist and artist of all time. Gregg Allman. Very different styles of music but Gregg Allamn, Benjamin Orr and Stevie Ray Vaughan are tied for the number 1 spot for me - kimie
BrentMFisher
just realized Gregg and Ben were both born in 1947. I love them both. Can't help it I just do - kimie
Appalachian American
I always liked the way Gregg Allman sang with a growl very soulful
Circuit7Active
Great album!