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."
Asking Too Much of You
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Toy Caldwell)
If I ask you to tell me about the man
You been seen with most everyday
If I ask you to tell me
Why you're never at home
And when I ask you to tell me only the truth
That ain't asking too much of you
If I ask you to tell me
Why you got someone to keep the kids
That Saturday I was gone
And I ask you to tell me
Why that same Saturday night
It seems you forgot to come home
Chorus
All I'd like to know is if you still care
And I don't think the question
I'm asking is by no means unfair
If I ask you to tell me about the man
You been seen with most everyday
And if I ask you to tell me
Why you're never at home
When I call you in the middle of the day
When I ask you tell me only the truth
That ain't asking too much of you
The Marshall Tucker Band's song "Asking Too Much of You" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a man pleading with his partner to tell him the truth. He is suspicious of her actions and has noticed that she has been spending time with another man. He asks her to explain why she is never at home when he calls and why she had someone else watch their children while he was away. He begs her to tell him only the truth as he feels it is not asking too much of her.
This song captures a vulnerable moment in a relationship where the trust has been broken, and one partner is desperate for answers. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, expressing the frustration and pain that come with feeling betrayed by someone you love. The repetition of certain lines throughout the song emphasizes the urgency of the man's questioning, and the chorus's melody is haunting and emotional.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ask you to tell me about the man
If I want information from you about the man you are mostly seen with.
You been seen with most everyday
The man you have been spending most of your time with daily.
If I ask you to tell me Why you're never at home When I call you in the middle of the day
If I inquire why you are not at home when I call you during daytime.
And when I ask you to tell me only the truth That ain't asking too much of you
I don't think it's too much to ask you for the truth when I ask you questions.
If I ask you to tell me Why you got someone to keep the kids That Saturday I was gone
If I want to know why you needed someone to take care of the kids on the day when I was not around.
And I ask you to tell me Why that same Saturday night It seems you forgot to come home
Furthermore, if I require an explanation for why you didn't return home that same night.
All I'd like to know is if you still care
The only thing I'm interested in knowing is if you still have any feelings left for me.
And I don't think the question I'm asking is by no means unfair
I believe it's not wrong for me to ask you these questions, it's quite reasonable.
When I ask you tell me only the truth That ain't asking too much of you
All I'm asking is for you to be honest with me, and it's not too much to ask for.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.
On midnight, September 30th, voting stops for the current round of nominees. The Marshall Tucker Band is in the 3rd spot for induction unless another nominee overtakes. Don't let this happen! Vote!
Let's get the Marshall Tucker Band the long overdue recognition they deserve.
Thank you 🌈
Jeff Nelson
Saddest song ever. Reduces me to tears every time. Beautiful jazz tracings. Willie could do this proud, I think.
Brenda Milloy
Was thinking the same thing as I listened to this.
Tracy Krajcik
I've always loved this song!
Dimitris Mythos
From Greece: what a hidden gem. I love MTB!
Mark Senter
Gotta be one of my favorite acoustics of all times!
Eddie Baker
Saw MTB in Missoula MT before we lost Toy and Tommy. Firefall was prep. Why can't we have this kind of magic nowadays? Pure and from the heart.
RINA MARIE BRALEY-YANKO
Great tune.. love the voice with the acoustics
Michael Duggan
My number one band of all time . Their songs and talent are amazing .
wa2k99
Been a fan of the band for a few years and I just discovered this. Wow.
Christopher Nuzzolo
Toy has also been one of my favorite players, there is some of him in my playing to this day.