The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Afterwards, Bob Dylan recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour and they joined him on the informal recordings that became the acclaimed Basement Tapes.
Dubbed "The Band" by their peers, the group left the comfort of their communal home in Saugerties, NY to begin recording as a group unto themselves. The Band recorded two of the most important albums of the late 1960s: their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the hit single "The Weight") and 1969's The Band. These critically praised albums helped conceive country rock as something more than a genre, but rather as a celebration of "Americana." As such, throughout their career they would repopularize traditional American musical forms during the psychedelic era. The Band dissolved in 1976; Martin Scorcese's landmark concert film "The Last Waltz" documented their final performance. They reformed in 1983 without founding guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Robertson.
Although always more popular with music journalists and fellow musicians than the general public, The Band has remained an admired and influential group. They have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their music fused many elements: primarily old country music and early rock and roll, though the rhythm section often had a bouncy, funky punch reminiscent of Stax or Motown, and Robertson cites Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers as major influences. At its best, however, The Band's music was an organic synthesis of many musical genres which became more than the sum of its parts. The group's songwriting was also remarkable as, unlike much earlier rock and roll, and following upon the example set previously by The Byrds, very few of their early compositions were based on conventional blues and doo-wop chord changes.
The Band comprised Robbie Robertson (guitar); Richard Manuel (piano, harmonica, drums, saxophone); Garth Hudson (organ, piano, clavinet, accordion, synthesizer, saxophone); Rick Danko (bass guitar, violin, trombone); and Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar) Excepting Robertson, all were multi-instrumentalists; each person's primary instrument is listed first. There was little instrument-switching when they played live, but when recording, the musicians could offer all manner of subtle aural colors and textures to enhance songs. Hudson in particular was able to coax an impressive range of timbres from his Lowrey electronic organ; on the choruses of "Tears of Rage", for example, it sounds startlingly like a mellotron. Helm's drumming was rarely flashy, but he was often praised for his subtlety and funkiness. Critic Jon Carroll famously declared that Helm was "the only drummer who can make you cry," while prolific session drummer Jim Keltner admits to appropriating several of Helm's techniques.
Singers Manuel, Danko, and Helm each brought a distinctive voice to The Band: Helm's gritty, southern voice had more than a hint of country, Danko sang in a soaring, unfettered tenor, and Manuel alternated between fragile falsetto and a wounded baritone. The singers regularly blended in unorthodox, but uncommonly effective harmonies. Though the singing was more or less evenly shared between the three men, both Danko and Helm have stated that they saw Manuel as the Band's "lead" singer.
Robertson was the unit's chief songwriter (though he sang lead vocals on only three or four songs in The Band's career). This role, and Robertson's resulting claim to the copyright of most of the compositions, would become a point of much antipathy between the group's members, especially between Robertson and Helm.
Producer John Simon is cited as a "sixth member" of The Band for producing and playing on Music from Big Pink, co-producing and playing on The Band, and playing on other songs up through The Band's 1993 reunion album Jericho.
On 10 December 1999 is when Rick Danko died in his sleep at age 56. He had been a long-time drug user. In 1997 he had been found guilty of trying to smuggle heroin into Japan. He told the presiding judge that he had begun using the drug (together with prescription morphine) to fight life-long pain resulting from a 1968 auto accident. No drugs were found in his system at the time of his death. Following the death of Rick Danko, The Band broke up for good.
Levon Helm died on 19 April 2012 from complications of throat cancer.
Don't Let Go
the band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go,Go I keep it going
I'm losing track of all the dreams that were in my mind
I find this out
You were always there, when I called your name
Well even on my darkest day
You made it okay
Hands down
Hands high
I need you more
Twenty years of this
You would think that there would be a sign
Fall, Fall, I keep falling now
Waiting on you
Don't let me go
Hands down
I am yours
Hands high
I need you more
Here's my heart, my love, I give you everything
I'm letting go, and take every part of me
I want to be the man I'm suppose to be
I'm letting go, and take every part of me
Take every part of me
I feel it on the inside
I never want to let you down
I feel it on the inside
I was lost but now I'm found
Hands down
I am yours
Hands high
I need you more
Here's my heart, my love, I give you everything
I'm letting go, and take every part of me
I wanna be the man I'm suppose to be
I'm letting go, and take every part of me
Take every part of me, Take every part of me
I feel it on the inside
I never want to let you down
I feel it on the inside
I was lost but now I'm
Letting go of all the things that I've held on to
Fall, Fall, I keep falling
I'm waiting on you
Don't let me go
The lyrics of "Don't Let Go" by the band, "We Came As Romans," revolve around a person who lives their life at the speed of light and is losing track of their dreams. However, they always find solace and support in a person who is always there for them, even on their darkest days. The song's message is about love, commitment, and support from a partner or friend, where the singer offers their heart, their love, and their everything, hoping to become a better version of themselves as they let go of everything that has held them back. The singer urges the other person not to let them go, to remain a constant presence in their life.
The song's lyrics are an ode to people who remain a constant support for their partners or friends as they navigate through life's ups and downs. The singer's recognition of the other person's unwavering support and their desire to become a better person and to let go of everything that has held them back is a universal theme that resonates with everyone.
In conclusion, "Don't Let Go" is a message of hope, love, and support that reminds us that we all have someone who has our back, even on our darkest day. The lyrics' strength lies in the raw emotions they convey, reminding us of the importance of holding onto the ones we love, cherishing them, and never letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
I seem to live my life at the speed of light
My life is moving too fast, and I can't slow down.
Go, Go, I keep it going
I'm always pushing forward, even when it hurts.
I'm losing track of all the dreams that were in my mind
I'm so focused on the rat race that I'm forgetting my true aspirations.
You were always there, when I called your name
Thank you for being a steady support system in my life.
Well even on my darkest day, You made it okay
Even in the toughest times, your presence brings me comfort.
Hands down, I am yours. Hands high, I need you more
I surrender myself to you completely, and I crave your love and guidance.
Twenty years of this, You would think that there would be a sign
After all this time, I'm still searching for meaning and purpose.
Fall, Fall, I keep falling now. Waiting on you
I'm stumbling and struggling, but I'm hopeful that you'll catch me.
Don't let me go
Please don't leave me or let me drift away from you.
Here's my heart, my love, I give you everything. I'm letting go, and take every part of me
I'm offering you my all, and I'm ready to release my grip on everything else in my life.
I want to be the man I'm supposed to be. I'm letting go, and take every part of me
I want to live up to my potential, and I'm willing to surrender myself to your plans for me.
Take every part of me
I'm giving you everything I am, inside and out.
I feel it on the inside. I never want to let you down. I was lost but now I'm found
I'm emotionally connected to you, and I'm committed to not disappointing you. You've helped me find my way.
Letting go of all the things that I've held on to. Fall, Fall, I keep falling. I'm waiting on you
I'm releasing all of my control and trusting that you'll catch me as I fall.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Anthony Alan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock
Come on baby, it's time to rock
I'm so happy I've got you here
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Thunder, lightning, wind and rain
Love is humming inside my brain
There's one thing baby, that keeps me crying
You been keeping your lips from mine
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Hound dog barking upside the hill
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Love is dragging him through the mill
(Don't let go, don't let go)
If it wasn't for having you
(Don't let go, don't let go)
I'd be barking and a-hollering too
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Someday baby, I'll get you yet
(Don't let go, don't let go)
I'll be hollering, soaking wet
(Don't let go, don't let go)
One thing baby, I'll never stand
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Your lips kissing some other man
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
@biffjohnson7891
Musical perfection
From our musical angels
Greatest fucking band in history of music
From prehistoric to present
Other than the Grateful Dead
Hmmmmm. I wonder why
“I love you so “. 🎼💕
Jerry Garcia Forever
{💔}:=}
@willieculkin3952
This is the one that's stuck in your head five hours later while you're laying in bed trying to fall asleep.
@MyFEELGOODWay
Don’t let go, don’t let go!
@yourmomma2995
just let it go bro.🤣
@Improvise1013
you somehow described the past 2 months of my life
@jhkapral
This is what you play when you and your baby each snort 30 mg of 2 CB
🎶Just hold me close and dont let go🎶
Dont let go dont let go
@milestickler4953
Absolutely
@AnvilOfTheGods
I love how Jerry took the simplest melodies and turned them into launching pads for deep sonic exploration
@thejamnasium6447
that's what makes him the best
@johnmcminn9455
Jerry is a creative genius
@cicadagodking
I don't know if ya'll play the instrument, but I find Jerry to be one of the most difficult players to keep up with. If one tries to play along with him, pretty soon he'll be leaving you behind, scratching your head. I'm not the biggest Dead Head, but I'm an absolute fan of Jerry Garcia's guitar skills.