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."
Now She's Gone
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew she loved me...she stayed on my mind
And then one morning...I woke up
And she was gone
There was a note...layin' by the bedside
Tellin' me she's gone
And now she's gone gone gone just gone
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
She found another...lord
Much better than me
Treats her like a lady
Like she oughta be
And now she's happy...lord
So happy and free
Don't have to worry...lord
About a man like me
And now she's gone gone gone just gone
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
She found another...lord
Much better than me
Treats her like a lady
Like she oughta be
And now she's happy...lord
So happy and free
Don't have to worry
About a man like me
And now she's gone gone gone just gone
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
And she's gone gone gone just gone
The Marshall Tucker Band's "Now She's Gone" is a song about a man who had a lady whom he loved and thought was so fine. He knew that she loved him, and she stayed on his mind all the time. One morning, he woke up only to find that she had left him. There was a note laying by the bedside that simply mentioned that she was gone. The man couldn't believe his eyes; he was heartbroken and couldn't imagine his life without her.
The chorus "Now she's gone gone gone just gone" portrays how much the man misses her. After her departure, the man came to learn that she had found another gentleman who treated her better than he ever could. That new man treated her like a lady - the way she ought to be treated. The man acknowledges that his former lover is now happy and free and has nothing to worry about anymore, at least not with a man like him. The man in the song is regretful and pained by his mistake.
The song portrays how important it is to treat your loved ones right, else you may lose them forever. Sometimes, people move on because they find someone who treats them the way they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a lady...I thought was so fine
I had a woman in my life who I considered to be very special and attractive.
I knew she loved me...she stayed on my mind
I was aware of her love for me and she frequently occupied my thoughts.
And then one morning...I woke up
At some point, I woke up from sleeping.
And she was gone
She was no longer present with me.
There was a note...layin' by the bedside
I discovered a message left near my place of rest.
Tellin' me she's gone
The message conveyed to me that she had left.
And now she's gone gone gone just gone
Her absence from my life is now a reality.
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
It is worth repeating that she is indeed gone.
She found another...lord
She discovered another man to whom she is attracted.
Much better than me
From her perspective, this other man is far superior to me.
Treats her like a lady
He treats her with respect and dignity, as she deserves.
Like she oughta be
He is treating her in the way that is fitting for a woman of her worth.
And now she's happy...lord
Because of his treatment of her, she is joyful and content.
So happy and free
She is relieved of any pain or discomfort and is at liberty to live her life.
Don't have to worry...lord
She no longer has to suffer any anxiety or stress.
About a man like me
She no longer has any concern about me in particular.
And now she's gone gone gone just gone
Once again, it is imperative to note that she has indeed departed.
Now she's gone gone gone just gone
It needs to be reiterated that she is no longer with me.
And she's gone gone gone just gone
It is essential to convey that she has vacated my life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., TOMMY'S TOY BOX MUSIC
Written by: TOMMY CALDWELL, 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 🌈
scurry
Crazy that there's no live versions nor covers of this masterpiece anywhere. This song's their absolute best in my opinion.
G-Steg
One of my fave guitar songs and solos ever, it should be much more famous!
troutvoice
Great Song! Great Album. Great Band!
Richard Vellucci
Heard this tune this morning on Pandora deep cuts all this time never heard this before.
Stephanie Marie
This guy has a definite rock and roll voice, some of those notes are just ... wow!
Stephanie Marie
I just discovered this song this weekend - why wasn't this a major hit!? Amazing!
john waters
great album! or should i say, great two albums, had it 1976.. i only wish toy and tommy still with us.......
roy allen
these guys just flat out played damn good music. And not only the best so. rock.
RubbleByte
this country band is better than one direction
kern39743
@tuckerbandfan i agree i am a cdb fan too,was trying to make a point about mtb.willie jones is one of my favorite tunes, but some of cdbs guitar licks have a allman sound to them,still big fan of all.