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."
And the Hills
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
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We throw her dollar bills and she puts on a show
No one really knows her, no one takes the blame
We just enjoy her total lack of shame
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
And the hills
Brenda likes to play on chairs and shimmy to the beat
Wearin' fancy underwear that keeps you in your seat
Leslie jammin' at the pole and makin' them bodies ache
People come from miles around, just to see her shake
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
And the hills
So if you're ever passin' through this side of town
Just come on in, there's always somethin' goin' down
More sights than you can take in seven days a week
They wrote the book if it's enlightenment you seek
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
And the hills
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
And the hills
The Marshall Tucker Band's song "And the Hills" is a song that seems to be talking about the world of strip joints and sex workers. The lyrics describe various women who work in the "industry" and the patrons who enjoy watching them. Interestingly enough, the song implies that there is not necessarily a sense of shame felt by the women who work in this field, but more so by those who watch them perform.
The first verse describes a dancer named Jennie who performs at a café. The lyrics suggest that despite not knowing her personally, the patrons enjoy watching her perform and throwing her dollar bills as a sign of appreciation. This seems to suggest that the atmosphere there is not overly seedy or dangerous, but more like a place where people come to be entertained.
The second verse goes on to mention two other performers named Brenda and Leslie, who seem to be equally popular with the crowds. The lyrics describe Brenda as someone who likes to play on chairs and shimmy to the beat, always wearing fancy underwear. Leslie is described as someone who excels on the pole and can make people ache just by watching her. Despite the objectification of these women, the song seems to suggest that they take pride in their bodies and the talents they possess.
Overall, "And the Hills" is a catchy tune with lyrics that explore a controversial topic. It's interesting how the song seems to paint a picture of sex work as something that is not necessarily dark or seedy, but rather something that can be enjoyed by both the performer and the audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Jennie Dances at a café down the road
Jennie is a dancer who performs at a nearby cafe
We throw her dollar bills and she puts on a show
We give Jennie money to see her perform
No one really knows her, no one takes the blame
Jennie is unknown and no one takes responsibility for her performing
We just enjoy her total lack of shame
We appreciate Jennie's fearless attitude towards dancing
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
Jennie is confident in her attractive physique
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
We don't care about the imperfections in Jennie's body
Brenda likes to play on chairs and shimmy to the beat
Brenda is a performer who dances and moves to the music
Wearin' fancy underwear that keeps you in your seat
Brenda's undergarments are visually appealing and make us want to watch her
Leslie jammin' at the pole and makin' them bodies ache
Leslie is a pole dancer who entertains and impresses us with her athletic moves
People come from miles around, just to see her shake
People travel far distances to watch Leslie perform
So if you're ever passin' through this side of town
If you ever visit this area of town
Just come on in, there's always somethin' goin' down
There's always something interesting happening
More sights than you can take in seven days a week
There are so many things to see that it's impossible to see everything in a week
They wrote the book if it's enlightenment you seek
This place has a reputation for being enlightening
And she's proud to have a body that can kill
Jennie is confident in her attractive physique
And we don't mind the valleys and the hills
We don't care about the imperfections in Jennie's body
And the hills
Reiteration of the fact that we don't mind the imperfections in Jennie's body
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dee Napier
on Desert Skies
Sucks so far...