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."
Tell It to the Devil
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hit a little kid
Or get cussed out for somethin'
Not even knowin' what he did
See a man any man
Messin' 'round with your best friend's wife
Or sit helpless in the corner
I'm gonna clean up my soul lord
You don't owe me no back pay
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
When I see him today
Walked to a graveyard
May they all rest in peace
I wish they could all go to heaven
I bet two did at least
Someone that don't feel sorry
For the helpless and the blind
Kinda makes you wanna pick up the bible
And memorize every single line
I'm gonna clean up my soul lord
You don't owe me no back pay
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
When I see him today
See a man walk by a beggar
With an empty tin cup
Kinda makes you wanna grab him
By the back of the neck
Knock him down and never pick him up
I'm gonna clean up my soul lord
You don't owe me no back pay
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
When I see him today
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
When I see him today
In the song "Tell It to the Devil", The Marshall Tucker Band addresses some of the societal issues and injustices that they witness daily. The song starts by expressing the frustration of seeing a grown man hitting a little kid or being cursed out for something he did not even do. The song then shifts to objecting to the idea of a man sleeping with his best friend's wife or watching someone drink their life away without being able to intervene. The song then takes a turn towards redemption by stating the singer's desire to clean up their soul and tell it all to the devil when they meet him.
The second verse of the song continues to address societal issues, expressing dissatisfaction towards people who lack empathy for helpless individuals. The lyric "Kinda makes you wanna pick up the bible and memorize every single line" speaks to the idea of finding solace and clarity in religion. The song concludes by reiterating the desire to cleanse the soul and tell it all to the devil. The overall message of the song seems to be a call for introspection and redemption, encouraging listeners to strive towards being better individuals and treating each other with kindness and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stand to see a grown man
It's unbearable to witness a grown man
Hit a little kid
physically harm a child who is defenseless
Or get cussed out for somethin'
receiving verbal abuse for unknown reasons
Not even knowin' what he did
without understanding the wrongdoing
See a man any man
experiencing or observing any situation involving a man
Messin' 'round with your best friend's wife
committing adultery with your closest friend's spouse
Or sit helpless in the corner
feeling powerless in a given situation
And watch a man drink away his life
observing a man slowly ruin his life through addiction
I'm gonna clean up my soul lord
I am committed to purifying my soul
You don't owe me no back pay
I do not expect nor require compensation or reward for doing so
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
I will convey this message to the devil
When I see him today
when I encounter him in the afterlife
Walked to a graveyard
visited a cemetery
May they all rest in peace
may the deceased individuals find eternal serenity
I wish they could all go to heaven
hoping that all of the deceased individuals are granted access to paradise
I bet two did at least
I am confident that at least two of them attained eternal paradise
Someone that don't feel sorry
a person who lacks empathy or remorse
For the helpless and the blind
for individuals in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations
Kinda makes you wanna pick up the bible
instills a desire to read and memorize scripture
And memorize every single line
to commit each verse to memory
See a man walk by a beggar
observe a man ignoring a destitute individual
With an empty tin cup
holding out an empty container for donations
Kinda makes you wanna grab him
causes the impulse to physically confront him
By the back of the neck
grabbing him by the rear portion of the neck
Knock him down and never pick him up
physically assaulting him and never offering aid or assistance afterwards
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
I will communicate the previous sentiments to Satan
When I see him today
when our paths cross in the afterlife
I'm gonna tell that to the devil
reiterating the intention to convey the message to Satan
When I see him today
reinforcing the idea of encountering the devil upon entering the afterlife
Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@christophercoles4401
I started listening to MTB in the '70s and I dig them just as much today. Great music never gets old.
@scottgrooters301
Truly amazing Country Westren Rock The Tucker men will never be another like them The harmony is truly impeckable Hall of famers
@DJK-cq2uy
Funny....not one is named Tucker????
@toddbell1748
This is just what I needed for today
@stanleyhornbeck1625
This whole album rocks,I was 20 years old working in Missouri Kansas and Texas working construction and living in motels!
@stevenherrera1679
Tucker Boys were a great band.The Brothers Caldwell just rocked an Doug Grays voice is amazing I saw the original band many many times back in the early 70's they were great.........
@trenthoebener2944
Love these guys for their contribution such beautiful music you just don’t hear anymore
@gargamelfrap4297
The GREATEST BAND EVER!!!.. Vergil Hardy
@brileyvandyke5792
MTB was a very different and original Southern rock band. They frequently incorporated steel guitar, fiddle, flute, saxophone and other non traditional rock instruments in their songs. Beautiful songs!
@maricaellis3185
Amazing song, lyrics, performance.