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."
Low Down Ways
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that was yesterday
She packed her bags cryin'
And slowly she walked away
I ain't never seen a woman
Who could love me for a day
And I ain't never seen nobody
Who could take my low down ways
She said that she was tired
And was going to carry on
But I will always think of her
And the memories that linger on
I ain't never seen a woman
Who could love me for a day
And I ain't never seen nobody
Who could take my low down ways
I ain't never seen a woman
Who could love me for a day
And I ain't never seen nobody
Who could take my low down ways
And I ain't never seen nobody
Who could take my low down ways
The Marshall Tucker Band's "Low Down Ways" is a bluesy ballad about a man who has lost his lover due to his immoral behavior. The song opens with the woman leaving him, reflected in the first verse. She packed her bags, crying and slowly walked away. The second verse reveals that she was tired of being with him because of his bad behavior, which he refers to as his "low down ways." Despite her leaving, the singer acknowledges that he will always remember her and the memories they shared. The final verse is a repetition of the first two lines, underscoring the profundity of his loss.
The song's themes are a common thread throughout the band's blues-rock oeuvre. It explores the theme endemic to classic blues, namely the profound sorrow and the consequences of sin, immorality, and mistakes. The lyrics present a mournful depiction of a man who has lost someone he loves deeply and recognizes that he was responsible for her leaving. He acknowledges that he had never seen someone love him for more than a day nor had he met anyone prepared to endure his infidelity, which he refers to as his "low down ways."
Line by Line Meaning
She said that she were leavin'
She informed me that she was leaving
And that was yesterday
This happened yesterday
She packed her bags cryin'
While packing, she was weeping
And slowly she walked away
She left at a leisurely pace
I ain't never seen a woman
I have never come across a woman
Who could love me for a day
Who could show affection for only one day and then leave
And I ain't never seen nobody
I have also never seen anyone
Who could take my low down ways
Who could tolerate my immoral and dishonest conduct
She said that she was tired
She mentioned that she was exhausted
And was going to carry on
And that she would continue
But I will always think of her
However, I will always remember her
And the memories that linger on
And the memories that still remain with me
And I ain't never seen nobody
And once again, I have never seen anyone
Who could take my low down ways
Who could endure or tolerate my immoral and dishonest behavior
I ain't never seen a woman
Once again, I have never seen a woman
Who could love me for a day
Who could love me temporarily and then depart
And I ain't never seen nobody
And I have never seen anybody
Who could take my low down ways
Who could accept my dishonest conduct
And I ain't never seen nobody
One more time, I have never seen anyone
Who could take my low down ways
Who could tolerate or accept my immoral and deceitful behavior
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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.
Let's get the Marshall Tucker Band the long overdue recognition they deserve.
Thank you 🌈
Vincent Beach
Great song written by Toy...first song I learned on guitar
holmeed
pure gold!
Jim Hill
Best band ever !!
TheSeeker1960
Fantastic studio LP along with a classic live LP, still have this in regular rotation on the turntable.
MrDrRockn1
what an ERA ! so much good music ....this amongst the best !
gocusetupper
Love this song.
gocusetupper
My favorite album of the 70's.
Brad Church
No Music Hall of Fame for this band is a crime. What can be done to correct this?
austin thompson
Brad Church it is insane I'm 30 now and i grew up on Tucker. nevertheless I'll never understand how this band hasn't made it into the hall. the compilation is so amazing. the music touches your soul. the radio only plays two songs I've heard on the radio. betwixt can't you see and heard it in a love song. there's so many gems that could be played. It pisses me off. royally.
T
awesome tune.