The band released their debut album, Good Feeling (1997), to moderate success where it debuted at number nine on the UK Albums Chart and was later awarded a silver certification from the BPI in January 2000. The band gained greater success with their second album, The Man Who (1999), which spent nine weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, totalling 134 weeks in the top 100 of the chart. In 2003, The Man Who was certified 9× platinum by the BPI, representing sales of over 2.68 million in the UK alone. Following this success, the band released their third effort, The Invisible Band (2001) album. The Invisible Band went on to match the success found with their previous album, where it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and spent a total of four weeks at the top spot, fifteen weeks in the top ten, and a total of fifty-five weeks in the top 100 chart, as well as peaking at thirty-nine on the US Billboard 200 album chart, spending a duration of seven weeks in the Billboard 200 chart. A year following the release of The Invisible Band, the BPI awarded Travis with a 4× platinum certification for the album.
In recent years, the band's discography has included studio albums 12 Memories (2003), The Boy with No Name (2007), Ode to J. Smith (2008), Where You Stand (2013), Everything at Once (2016) and 10 Songs (2020). In 2004, the band released their first greatest hits album, Singles, which spent nineteen weeks in the top 100 of the UK albums chart. Travis have twice been awarded best band at the BRIT Awards and were awarded the NME Artist of the Year award at their 2000 ceremony, and in 2016 were honoured at the Scottish Music Awards for their outstanding contribution to music. The band are widely said by the media to have paved the way for other bands such as Keane and Coldplay to go on to achieve worldwide success throughout the 2000s, particularly with the success of The Man Who.
Craft Recordings celebrated the 20th anniversary of Travis' breakthrough year with two simultaneous releases: Live at Glastonbury '99, plus expanded editions of The Man Who – both of which were released on 21 June 2019.
The Weight
Travis Lyrics
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I just need some place where I can lay my head
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No" was all he said
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
Picked up my bag, went lookin' for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around"
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
"Well Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favour, son, won't you stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's OK, just feed him when you can"
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Catch a cannon ball now, to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
"The Weight" by The Band is a classic song that tells the story of a traveler who stops in Nazareth looking for a place to rest. The lyrics describe the encounter between the singer and the people he meets during his journey. At the beginning of the song, the singer looks exhausted and lost, asking for directions from a friendly stranger who tells him that he cannot help him find a bed, but he can carry his load for him. The stranger says, "Take a load off Annie, take a load for free, take a load off Annie, and you put the load right on me." This line is repeated throughout the song and is widely recognized as one of the most memorable components of the tune.
As the song continues, the singer encounters a cast of characters, including Carmen and the Devil walking side by side, Luke, Anna Lee, and Crazy Chester. Each interaction is brief but memorable, with each character offering their own unique perspective on the singer's journey. In the end, the singer catches a cannonball train and heads back to see Miss Fanny, the woman who sent him on his journey in the first place.
The song is widely interpreted as a metaphor for the struggles and burdens people face in their daily lives. The characters in the song represent the different challenges and obstacles that people encounter, and the offer of help from the stranger represents the importance of community and support. The song remains a beloved classic to this day and is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling through music.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' 'bout half past dead
Travis arrived in Nazareth feeling exhausted and near death.
I just need some place where I can lay my head
Travis is in need of a bed to sleep in.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
Travis asks a stranger for a place to sleep.
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No" was all he said
The stranger declines to help Travis.
Take a load off Fanny
Travis asks Fanny to relieve his burden.
Take a load for free
He promises to relieve Fanny's burden in return.
Take a load off Fanny
Travis repeats his request for help to Fanny.
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Travis reassures Fanny that he can handle the extra burden.
Picked up my bag, went lookin' for a place to hide
Travis searches for a place to hide and rest.
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
Travis encounters Carmen and the Devil together.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown"
Travis invites Carmen to go downtown.
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around"
Carmen declines Travis's offer, but introduces him to her friend.
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
Travis addresses Miss Moses, who is unable to help him.
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
Travis talks about Luke, who is waiting for Judgment Day.
"Well Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
Travis asks Luke about Anna Lee.
He said, "Do me a favour, son, won't you stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"
Luke asks Travis to keep Anna Lee company.
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
Travis is followed and caught by Crazy Chester in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
Chester offers to fix Travis's rack in exchange for taking care of his dog, Jack.
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, I'm a peaceful man"
Travis tells Chester that he is peaceful and doesn't want trouble.
He said, "That's OK, just feed him when you can"
Chester agrees to let Travis go and just asks him to feed Jack.
Catch a cannon ball now, to take me down the line
Travis catches a train to continue his journey.
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time
Travis's bag is heavy and he knows he needs to find a place to rest soon.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Travis plans to return to Fanny, who was originally asked for help.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Travis remembers that Fanny sent him on his journey with her regards.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind