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."
If That Isn't Love
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you tell me please, Tell me what did I do wrong?
I do these things for you, Can you tell me please, tell me what am I to do
I'll swim a river far, catch a falling star, I'll do it just for you
If that isn't love
It's everything we're thinking of
Love can be all that we'll ever need
I'd give you every thing
Maybe a diamond ring and tell you I love you so
Every day I cry every night I cry, to get to you, I'll get to you
Even in my sleep the stars I catch I keep, I'll do it all just for you
If that isn't love
It's everything I'm thinking of
Love can be all that we'll ever need
If that isn't love
If that isn't love
It's everything we're thinking of
Love can be all that we'll ever need
If that isn't love
From above, it's sure my love
From above
From above, it's sure my love
The Marshall Tucker Band's "If That Isn't Love" is about the lengths a person would go for their loved one. The song speaks of a person who has seemingly done everything for their significant other from waiting by the phone to catch a falling star. Despite all of their efforts, the person is confused about what they did wrong and what they can do to make things right. The chorus repeats the phrase "If that isn't love, it's everything we're thinking of. Love can be all that we'll ever need. If that isn't love." This emphasizes that everything that the person is doing is an illustration of their love.
The song is filled with metaphors of the singer's willingness to go to great lengths to prove their love. The line "I'll swim a river far, catch a falling star, I'll do it just for you" emphasizes the singer's willingness to do extreme things. In addition, the superlative in the line "Love can be all that we'll ever need" shows that love is the most important thing to the singer. The song shows the beauty in selflessness and the willingness to give unconditionally for those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Waited by the phone
I have been sitting and waiting for you to call, and I'm getting impatient
Can you tell me please, Tell me what did I do wrong?
I am confused, and I don't understand why you are upset with me. Please tell me what I did wrong
I do these things for you, Can you tell me please, tell me what am I to do
I am doing everything I can to make you happy, but it seems like it's not enough. Please tell me what I need to do to make you happy
I'll swim a river far, catch a falling star, I'll do it just for you
I am willing to go to great lengths to prove my love for you. I'm willing to do anything to make you happy
If that isn't love, It's everything we're thinking of, Love can be all that we'll ever need, If that isn't love
If the things I'm doing for you aren't love, then I don't know what love is. Love is everything we're thinking of; it's all we need
I'd give you every thing, Maybe a diamond ring and tell you I love you so
I would give you everything, even a diamond ring, just to show you how much I love you
Every day I cry every night I cry, to get to you, I'll get to you
I miss you so much that I cry every day and every night. I'll do whatever it takes to be with you
Even in my sleep the stars I catch I keep, I'll do it all just for you
Even in my dreams, I'm thinking of you. I'll do anything to make you happy
From above, it's sure my love
My love for you is certain, and it comes from a higher power
From above
From above, it's sure my love
My love for you is certain, and it comes from a higher power
Contributed by Dominic G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dee Napier
on Desert Skies
Sucks so far...