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."
Too Stubborn
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said you loved me,
Don't know why I thought you'd be,
The kind of woman, that'd leave a man in misery.
I was wrong all along,
But too stubborn a man to change my mind.
(2)
I could'nt believe,
When I knew you loved me all the time.
I was wrong all along,
But too stubborn a man to change my mind.
(3)
Should of loved you while I had the chance,
But I had a feelin' inside.
'bout all the times, I really loved you,
But too hardheaded to change my mind
.....Guitar solo...repeat from (3) then repeat (2)
This song, "Too Stubborn," by The Marshall Tucker Band, is essentially about a man realizing the error in his ways regarding a past relationship. The song opens with the man addressing his former partner, indicating that she had professed her love for him at one point. However, despite her feelings for him, he did not treat her well and behaved in ways that caused her pain. The man accepts that he was wrong to treat her in such a way, though he admits that he was too stubborn to change his actions at the time. The second verse speaks to the realization that he lost her, despite her love for him, and again acknowledges that he was too stubborn to change his ways.
The most poignant parts of this song come in the final verse, where the man admits that he should have loved her when he had the chance. He describes feeling love for her during the relationship but being too stubborn to recognize those feelings and act on them. He laments his own hard-headedness, indicating that he realizes now he should have been different. It is a song about hindsight, regret, and recognizing the damage that our own behaviors can cause to those that care about us.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you loved me,
Despite the fact that you professed your love, I was foolish to think that you would not cause me pain and suffering eventually.
Don't know why I thought you'd be,
I had unrealistic expectations of you and convinced myself that you would not hurt me.
The kind of woman, that'd leave a man in misery.
I was wrong to believe that you were someone who would not cause emotional turmoil and heartbreak for me.
I was wrong all along,
I realize now that my previous beliefs and assumptions about you were incorrect.
But too stubborn a man to change my mind.
Despite the knowledge that I was mistaken, I am unwilling to modify my viewpoint or acknowledge that I have been proven wrong.
I couldn't believe,
I found it difficult to accept the fact that I had lost you.
Lord I lost you,
I have lost you and am now grappling with feelings of regret and sadness.
When I knew you loved me all the time.
I was aware that you loved me, but my stubbornness prevented me from recognizing and appreciating it fully.
Should of loved you while I had the chance,
I regret not having cherished you while I had the opportunity to do so.
But I had a feelin' inside.
Despite my regret, I am still struggling with conflicted emotions and uncertainty.
'bout all the times, I really loved you,
I am acknowledging now that I had feelings of deep affection and love for you throughout our relationship.
But too hardheaded to change my mind
Unfortunately, even though I now see the error in my previous ways, I am still unwilling to change my behavior or mindset.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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 🌈
Charles Huffman
This was the beginning for me,MTB, unique and oh so soothing. I've been a fan for over 40 years, as great today as the day I first heard them.Southern Rock has never been so good when these talented men came onto the scene,Thanks.
Cameron Bridges
Love this one. Played it with my dad since I was young and it still has a special place in my heart.
stumptown123
Classic. Thanks for posting
stupagia26
I started covering this song up way back when and whenever I've played it in a jam since then somebody always goes, "wow, who did that song come from and I tell 'em, "...it's Cowboy Blues from Marshall Tucker."
bglions2001
LOL, I'm trying to make an 80 minute cd of MTB songs, can't get it done...they have way more than 80 minutes of greatness!
David Roy
I bought this album in 74 and this tune was my favorite. Thanks for sharing your brothers memory.
Barbara Scotswoman
Such an excellent tune.
Barbara Scotswoman
Such an excellent tune.
Charlie Ragsdale
MTB, is the best. my favorite song is to stuborn ! its amazing .i got to listen to it at least 5 times ., ride on marshall tucker band.
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 🌈