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."
A New Life
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm kinda lost
Gotta get to Georgia tonight
Don't care what it costs
Been down in Denver jail for four long years
And I'm so homesick I could die
Got a sweet woman back home
Least in all her letters, Lord
She said she'd be
Waitin there with open arms
Born new life for me
And I'm so homesick I could die
Shot a man in Denver
Over some money owed
So she told me
That I had to go
But I paid my time
And a new life is gonna be mine
And a new life is gonna be mine
The Marshall Tucker Band's song "A New Life" is a soulful ballad about a man who is seeking redemption and a new beginning after serving time in jail for a crime he committed. The opening lines of the song portray the man as lost and desperate for direction, asking for a road map to guide him to his destination of Georgia, where his loved one awaits him.
The lyrics reveal that the man has spent the last four years in jail in Denver, Colorado, and is longing for home. He speaks of his sweetheart waiting for him with open arms, promising a new life and a fresh start. The chorus of the song emphasizes his homesickness and his desire for a chance to start anew.
The man's past is revealed as he states that he shot a man in Denver over some money owed, leading to his imprisonment. The hope of a new life is a way for him to leave his dark past behind and embrace a brighter future. The song leaves us with an uplifting message that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always a chance for a new beginning if we embrace it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, mister, got a road map?
Asking for directions to reach his destination
I'm kinda lost
Confused and unaware of the correct way to go
Gotta get to Georgia tonight
Feeling urgency to reach Georgia as soon as possible
Don't care what it costs
Willing to pay any price to reach his destination
Been down in Denver jail for four long years
Spent a long and difficult time in jail in Denver
And I'm so homesick I could die
Feeling a strong sense of longing for home
Got a sweet woman back home
Has a loving and caring woman waiting for him at home
Waitin there for me
She is eagerly anticipating his return
Least in all her letters, Lord
Expressing how his woman wrote in every letter
She said she'd be
She promises to be waiting for him
Waitin there with open arms
She will embrace him lovingly upon his arrival
Born new life for me
The new life will begin from that moment on
And I'm so homesick I could die
Although eager to start anew, he can't shake off the homesick feeling
Shot a man in Denver
Committed a crime in Denver
Over some money owed
The crime was about the payment of a debt
So she told me
Referring to his woman who advised him to leave
That I had to go
She convinced him to leave and start a new life
But I paid my time
Served his sentence and fulfilled his punishment
And a new life is gonna be mine
Will finally start fresh with a new life and new opportunities
Contributed by Hannah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Goldwing 7 7
Hey mister, got a roadmap? I'm kinda lost. Gotta get to Georgia, tonight, don't care what it costs.
Been down in Denver jail for four long years, and I'm so homesick I could die.
Got a sweet woman back home waitin' there for me. At least, in all her letters, Lord, she said she'd be
Waiting there with open arms for a new life for me, and I'm so homesick I could die.
Shot a man in Denver for some money owed. The judge, he told me, that I'd have to go.
But I paid my time, and a new life is gonna be mine.
Gonna be mine, for me, and a new life is gonna be mine.
Brenda Milloy
Think it's a shame that the Marshall Tucker Band isn't in the RRHOF? Screw the RRHOF! I know of something better.
I am the representative/cyber cheerleader for the Marshall Tucker Band at the Hall Of Pretty Darned Good (HOPDG).
What is HOPDG?
The Hall Of Pretty Darned Good is a virtual Hall of Recognition. The HOPDG seeks to recognize people, bands and artists who are not recognized by their respective Halls of Fame.
Nominees are selected based on fan suggestions and inducted into the HOPDG by fan votes. It's as simple as that.
The current categories include:
Baseball
Football
Basketball
Hockey
Film/TV
Music
There is a Facebook Page named The Hall Of Pretty Darned Good where you can vote for the Marshall Tucker Band to be inducted into the Hall Of Pretty Darned Good!
To vote, first you need to "LIKE" the HOPDG page, then send a message via the Page, with your vote choices.
The Hall Of Pretty Darned Good also has a Group of the same name on Facebook so you can discuss the nominees with other voters, keep up to date on HOPDG news, and maybe win some extra votes for your favorites by answering trivia questions. It's all good fun with a great purpose - recognizing people for their outstanding contributions to sports, film and music.
Let's get the Marshall Tucker Band the long overdue recognition they deserve.
Thank you π
sixpkpug phil
Another reason the Rock and Roll Hall of Frame needs a complete colonoscopy of their selection committee. No mention or nomination of the greatest country rock band ever! The Marshall Tucker Band!
Tony Collins
Absolutely! Toy was one of the finest, ever! What a band!
tTommyTom
And Cheap Trick is in. Unreal. ABB is in because of Duane. MTB should be in for the song writing. One great song after another...
Pra Daswani
Frame that!
πAll Glitter and Dirtπ
πππππππ
Kevin Wingo
Roger that
Jim Kidd
Toy Caldwell is absolutely amazing guitar player
ringforthrev
Yes, tone for days
Adam Blackwelder
I saw them live in 1976, original lineup. One of the best shows I've ever seen.
DVT Co.
Truth!