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."
Windy City Blues
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lookin' down on the city below
My heart is cold as the wind through the streets
And outside it's starting to snow
Weeks ago I left you in sunny Caroline
Sittin' in our home in the pines
I got a job to do that takes me away from you
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
The city lights have gone
And the night has brought a storm
And soon I'll be headin' home to you
I can taste your wine
Though it's been a long, long time
No more will I have the Chicago blues
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
Look, look around there's snow on the ground
What a cold hard life that I've known
But my love still glows like the city below
Because of all the love she's shown
I'm on a southbound train
Takin' me away from this snow
Takin' me where I really want to go
Out of these chilly winds and havin' no friends
I need the warmth of your sweet lovin' soul
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
Got the windy city blues
The Marshall Tucker Band's "Windy City Blues" is a poignant ode to the pain of separation and homesickness. The song depicts a man sitting atop a Chicago skyscraper, looking down at the snowy city streets below. His heart is as cold as the wind blowing through the streets, and he can't help but think of the woman he loves, who is waiting for him back home in Roebuck town. The singer recalls how he left her weeks ago, with a job to do that has taken him far away. Despite being physically distant, he cannot escape the feelings he has for her, and her love remains on his mind.
The chorus of the song reaffirms the singer's love for the woman from Roebuck town. He describes how she has made his life sound and how sweet and kind she is. Even though he is surrounded by the cold, harsh reality of the city, his heart still glows with the love she has shown him. As the song draws to a close, he boards a southbound train that will take him back to her. He is eager to leave the chilly winds and the loneliness behind and embrace the warmth of her loving soul once again.
One of the interesting aspects of this song is how it portrays the contrast between the fast-paced, impersonal nature of the city and the slow, nurturing environment of a rural town. The lyrics suggest that the singer finds solace in the simplicity and familiarity of his hometown, and that his love for the woman from Roebuck town is what gives him the strength to face the challenges of life in the big city.
* The Marshall Tucker Band's "Windy City Blues" was released in 1978 on their album "Together Forever".
* The song was written by lead singer and guitarist Toy Caldwell.
* The album "Together Forever" was the band's twelfth studio album and their last album to feature the original lineup before Toy Caldwell's departure in 1983.
* The album peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200 chart.
* The Marshall Tucker Band was known for blending country, rock, blues, and jazz music into their sound.
* The band was formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972.
* They took their name from a piano tuner whose name was on a key ring found in their rehearsal space.
* Their most successful album was "Carolina Dreams," which included the hit single "Heard It in a Love Song".
* The band suffered tragedy when Toy Caldwell's brother, bassist Tommy Caldwell, was killed in a car accident in 1980.
* The band continues to tour and record today, with lead singer and founding member Doug Gray as the only original member remaining.
Possible Chords (in the Key of G):
Verse: G, C, G, D
Chorus: D, C, G, D, C, G, D
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sittin' in Chicago on the thirtieth floor
I am currently in Chicago, sitting on the thirtieth floor of a building.
Lookin' down on the city below
From my vantage point, I am able to see the city below me.
My heart is cold as the wind through the streets
I am feeling emotionally cold and detached, similar to the chilly wind outside.
And outside it's starting to snow
The weather outside is beginning to snow.
Weeks ago I left you in sunny Caroline
Several weeks ago, I departed from my partner who was in sunny Caroline.
Sittin' in our home in the pines
My partner was sitting in our home, which is surrounded by pine trees.
I got a job to do that takes me away from you
I have a job that requires me to be away from my partner.
But your love still remains on my mind
Despite being away from my partner, I am still thinking about their love.
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
I am deeply in love with a girl from Roebuck town.
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
Ever since I met her, she has brought stability and joy to my life.
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She possesses qualities of sweetness and kindness and I feel incredibly lucky to have her all to myself.
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
I believe that she is the most wonderful thing that I will ever discover.
The city lights have gone
The lights of the city have disappeared or turned off.
And the night has brought a storm
It has become dark outside and a storm has moved in.
And soon I'll be headin' home to you
I will soon be returning home to my partner.
I can taste your wine
I can imagine the taste of my partner's wine.
Though it's been a long, long time
It has been a significant amount of time since I have tasted my partner's wine.
No more will I have the Chicago blues
Once I reunite with my partner, I will no longer feel sad and distant like I do in the city.
Look, look around there's snow on the ground
As I look around, I can see that the snow has accumulated on the ground.
What a cold hard life that I've known
This lifestyle of being away from my partner in a cold, harsh environment feels difficult and challenging.
But my love still glows like the city below
Despite my current situation, my love for my partner is still strong and vibrant.
Because of all the love she's shown
My partner's love and kindness have sustained me during this time of separation.
I'm on a southbound train
I am currently on a train headed south.
Takin' me away from this snow
The train is transporting me away from the snowy city environment.
Takin' me where I really want to go
I am headed towards the place where I truly want to be — with my partner.
Out of these chilly winds and havin' no friends
I am leaving behind the cold, lonely experience of being in the city and returning to a place with warmth and connection.
I need the warmth of your sweet lovin' soul
What I truly desire is the comfort and care of my partner's soulful love.
Got the windy city blues
I am experiencing the sadness and detachment that can come with living in a harsh, cold city environment.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: DOUG GRAY, GEORGE MCCORKLE, JERRY EUBANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I'm sittin' in Chicago on the thirtieth floor
Lookin' down on the city below
My heart is cold as the wind through the streets
And outside it's starting to snow
Weeks ago I left you in sunny Caroline
Sittin' in our home in the pines
I got a job to do that takes me away from you
But your love still remains on my mind
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
The city lights have gone
And the night has brought a storm
And soon I'll be headin' home to you
I can taste your wine
Though it's been a long, long time
No more will I have the Chicago blues
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
Look, look around there's snow on the ground
What a cold hard life that I've known
But my love still glows like the city below
Because of all the love she's shown
I'm on a southbound train
Takin' me away from this snow
Takin' me where I really want to go
Out of these chilly winds and havin' no friends
I need the warmth of your sweet lovin' soul
I'm in love with that girl from that roebuck town
Since I met her she's made my life so sound
She's sweet and she's kind and she's mine all mine
She's the best thing that I'll ever find
Got the windy city blues
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.
On midnight, September 30th, voting stops for the current round of nominees. The Marshall Tucker Band is in the 3rd spot for induction unless another nominee overtakes. Don't let this happen! Vote!
Let's get the Marshall Tucker Band the long overdue recognition they deserve.
Thank you 🌈
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 🌈
Guy Sharwood
Just one of the most incredible bands of the '70s!!
Scott Clute
The most incredible sweet Southern Sound!!!
Mark Toombs
If not the my brother
Richard S
The band was at the top of their game with this one for sure!...Let's not overlook Paul Riddle....a drummers drummer..just awesome!!
Dave Smale
This was the first MTB LP I bought back in the mid-70s after the band's short visit to the UK with Grinderswitch & Bonnie Bramlett. Such a great track, a brilliantly clear recording & superb guitar work by Toy. Awesome stuff.
Tom Clark
These guys...lucky to see them many times...phenomenal
WillyisaPain 95
this shit makes me smile 40 years later.
Ronnie Boucher
yes sir brother !
1bionicleking
I think this may be Toy Caldwell's best guitar work.
Curtis Lowe
Doesn't get much better than this...turning my kid on to this music to keep it alive!