Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker had a more country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.
Original bassist Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash on April 28, 1980. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.
There was no band member named "Marshall Tucker". Originally, the band called itself The Toy Factory (named after lead-guitarist Toy Caldwell). But by the time the band released its first album they had become the Marshall Tucker Band. During a radio interview in Hempstead, NY in 1973, Tommy Caldwell explained the origins of the band's name:
"There's an old blind dude [in Spartanburg, SC] that tunes pianos, and his name is Marshall Tucker... We didn't name the band after him, but we just kind of liked that name and stuck with it."
24 Hours at a Time
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the sun shines most of the time
I've been drivin' about six hours
Tryin' to reach that Arkansas line
But Texarkana's an hour ahead
And I've got to keep my wheels rollin'
But woman you're always on my mind
So my woman I'm hoping you feel the same way
Woman you know that I miss you
And I can't miss you no more
I got this ride doing seventy miles an hour
She's loaded she's down to the floor
But I've got to reach that Arkansas line
Before the sun goes down...Yeah
But woman you're always on my mind
Twenty-four hours at a time
So my woman I'm hoping you feel the same way
Woman you know I need you
I've been on the road too much
Tired of looking at the highway
Got to keep in touch some way
I've been down around Houston,Texas
Where the sun shines most of the time
I've been driving about six hours
Tryin' to reach that Arkansas line
But Texarkana's an hour ahead
And I've got to keep my wheels rolling
But woman you're always on my mind
Twenty-four hours at a time
So my woman I'm hoping you feel the same way
Feel the same way
Feel the same way
Feel the same way
The Marshall Tucker Band's song, "24 Hours at a Time," describes the experience of a man driving for six hours to reach the Arkansas state line, while his woman is always on his mind. The singer's tiredness and longing for his partner are evident in the lyrics as he drives at seventy miles an hour, urging his wheels to keep rolling. Despite his efforts, he cannot shake off the thoughts of his loved one and confesses that he misses her and needs her. He hopes that she feels the same way and that they can keep in touch in some way.
On the surface, "24 Hours at a Time" appears to be a simple song about a man who is on the road, missing his woman. However, the lyrics imply a deeper emotional conflict. The man's pursuit of success and his desire for love and companionship are at odds. He feels that he has to be on the road to achieve success, but at the same time, he cannot ignore the longing in his heart. The song captures the complexity of the human experience, where individuals juggle their dreams and desires, hoping to find a balance between them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been down around Houston, Texas
I have recently spent time in the Houston, Texas area.
Where the sun shines most of the time
The weather in Houston is generally sunny.
I've been drivin' about six hours
I have been driving for approximately six hours.
Tryin' to reach that Arkansas line
I am attempting to cross into Arkansas.
But Texarkana's an hour ahead
The time zone changes as I approach the city of Texarkana, and I lose an hour.
And I've got to keep my wheels rollin'
I must keep driving to reach my destination before sundown.
But woman you're always on my mind
I am constantly thinking of my significant other.
Twenty-four hours at a time
My thoughts of my partner never cease, for a full day at a time.
So my woman I'm hoping you feel the same way
I hope that my partner feels the same longing for me.
Woman you know that I miss you
I want my partner to understand that I am missing them greatly.
And I can't miss you no more
I am at my limit of missing my partner and need to see them soon.
I got this ride doing seventy miles an hour
I am traveling at a speed of seventy miles per hour.
She's loaded she's down to the floor
My vehicle is heavily loaded and riding very low to the ground.
But I've got to reach that Arkansas line
I need to cross into the state of Arkansas before dusk.
Before the sun goes down...Yeah
I am on a strict time schedule and must reach my destination before nightfall.
Woman you know I need you
I deeply desire the company of my partner.
I've been on the road too much
I have been traveling for too long and should be at home with my partner.
Tired of looking at the highway
I am feeling fatigued from the many hours of driving.
Got to keep in touch some way
I must remain in communication with my partner, even while apart.
Feel the same way
I hope that my partner shares my feelings of longing and missing each other.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelkoper5061
God Bless Us All who grew up in times
where Compromise was the way to go;
Not right or left.
Democrat or Republican or Independent;
We Are All American.
Don't change the US Constitution for you;
adapt to what our founding envisioned.
Amen
God bless us all.
@masterofnone3981
My friend turned me on to this album in 76. Still one of my favorites today.
Toy was a guitar genius.
Another album he gave me this day was Greg Allman “ Playing up a Storm” .
I was in a bar in underground Atl. In 78 and Greg came in and played for two hours, just him a piano and a sax player.
One of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
Not sure why, but music back then had a soul. Maybe it was the LSD. That stretched the minds of these artist to a different dimension. One that allowed them to be and physically see the notes.
I don’t know, I just know it existed.
It seems that the quality of music died after Chris Cornell.
There’s music out there, but it’s soulless.
Bout the only time I see it anymore and it’s rare, it’s in children.
When I started playing for the money, it changed everything. For the worst ie.
sometimes on “ Playing for Change” I’ll catch a quick glimpse of the past.
Like the video where they all perform the song. The Weight.
I can’t stand pop music.
Remember I had to endure disco in the 80’s so I’ve lived through some trying times for musicians.
Country music can thank disco for making it so popular.
Only .1% of country music is even worth listening too.
The rest is just noise.
Kansas, Pink Floyd, Little River Band, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Early Doobie bros, Little Feat, The Band, Marshall Tucker, Allman Bros, those were the last of the big bands that produced real music. The big hair bands were a nightmare. Heavy metal? Sounds like someone’s banging at your door real loud and no one will let them in.
You think my god when will this song end.
Now R&B , jazz and blues that was the cats meow.
@KCFlyer2
Folks....Southern Rock doesn't get any better than this. Going on 50 years old and STILL rocks. Damn this band was good.
@markmn1932
I'm trying to make sure my 30 yo kids hear and enjoy this timeless music so that it doesn't get lost. There will never be another MTB...
@tommyrhodes8594
my friends were listening to pink Floyd i was listening to skynyrd and Marshall Tucker
@charlesglover4582
Both!
@williameastes581
I was listening to all of those +
@stevendover2526
1976...100,000 people in the Superdome when this band hit the stage. Great show!
@juliuscsaszar9127
I was there!
@lauriefernandes883
That's so dope ❤
@beecee9681
Awesome!
@chalemi
Actually it was Aug 31 1975 for the grand opening of the Louisiana Superdome. I was lucky enough to be there. The Allman Brothers were the headliner.