THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

629-The Band-The Weight.

1968-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 0.11. Here’s another one for the pub quiz. The Scottish group Nazareth took their name from the opening line of this song.

‘The Band’ were officially formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1967, and remained active until 1977. Some of the original group members reformed with new members in 1983, and remained active until 1999. The five original members, who also performed on this song were Rick Danko, (1943-1999) (co-lead and harmony, vocals, and bass guitar) Garth Hudson, (keyboards) Richard Manuel, (1943-1986) (Hammond organ) Robbie Robertson, (1943-2023) (guitar) and Levon Helm, (1940-2012) (drums, and vocals.) The members of the group who would eventually become ‘The Band’ had gradually come together in the early 1960’s, having been cherry picked by the Toronto based Rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins, (1935-2022) for his backing group called ‘The Hawks.’ In 1964 they split from Hawkins, and released, a few singles using the name ‘Levon and the Hawks,’ and also ‘The Canadian Squires.’ In 1965 Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-103-36 and 7) was looking for a backing band for his first ‘Electric’ tour, and on recommendation they played and toured as ‘Bob Dylan and The Band.’ That collaboration with Bob Dylan came to an end in October 1967, after which they set about recording their first studio Album. Stories vary as to how their name ‘The Band’ came about, but Robbie Robertson has said that during their time with Dylan, everyone just referred to them as ‘the band,’ and the name stuck. Initially they disliked the moniker, but eventually they grew to like it, thinking it both humble and presumptuous.

‘The Band’ are considered to be one of the most influential acts of all time, combining elements of ‘Roots Rock,’ ‘Americana,’ Folk Rock,’ and ‘Country Rock.’ Artists who have acknowledged their influence include George Harrison, (1943-2001) Elton John, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. The discography of ‘The Band’ includes 10 studio Albums released between 1968-1998, and 33 singles issued between 1965-1996, as well as 10 official compilation Albums, and nine live Albums being available. There are also four official Albums of recordings made with Bob Dylan, including the 1975 ‘The Basement Tapes.’

‘The Weight’ was the debut, and only track issued as a single from ‘Music from Big Pink,’ the debut studio Album by ‘The Band,’ from July 1968. The Album took it’s name from the pink house in West Saugerties, New York, located at 56 Parnassus Lane, which was formerly 2188 Stoll Road, where ‘The Band’ recorded. ‘The Weight’ was written by Robbie Robertson, with the production being by John Simon, although the songwriting credit was disputed years later by Levon Helm. Helm insisted that the composition of the lyrics and the music was collaborative, declaring that each band member had made a substantial contribution. Helm has said that 60% of the lyrics were Robertson’s, with Danko and Manuel providing 20% each, with much of the music being by Garth Hudson, Helm also credits himself with input for the lyrics.

‘The Weight’ tells the story of a man who visits Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States, having been asked by a friend of his called Annie to check on all of these strangers. The characters in the song were based on real people who the band new, for example ‘Crazy Chester,’ was an eccentric character, who used to go watch the band perform regularly. Robbie Robertson has said that he was influenced to write the song by the work of the Spanish film director Luis Buñuell, (1900-1983) who made some of the first movies dealing with surrealism. Robertson was intrigued by the characters in his films, who were often good people who did bad things. Many music critics have deliberated over the true meaning of ‘The Weight,’ with some suggesting that it’s meaning is biblical, but Robertson always denied that.

Robbie Robertson has said that he chose the destination of ‘Nazareth’ when he looked inside his ‘Martin guitar’ and saw the standard ‘Martin’ imprint, saying that the instrument was crafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Robertson has explained the songs meaning,’Luis Buñuel did so many films on the impossibility of sainthood. People trying to be good in Viridiana, and Nazarín, people trying to do their thing. In ‘The Weight’ it’s the same thing. People like Buñuel would make films that had these religious connotations to them, but it wasn’t necessarily a religious meaning. In Buñuel there were these people trying to be good, and it’s impossible to be good. In ‘The Weight’ it was this very simple thing. Someone says, ‘Listen, would you do me this favour? When you get there will you say ‘hello’ to somebody or will you give somebody this, or will you pick up one of these for me? Oh? You’re going to Nazareth, that’s where the Martin guitar factory is. Do me a favour when you’re there.” This is what it’s all about. So the guy goes and one thing leads to another, and it’s like “Holy shit, what’s this turned into? I’ve only come here to say ‘hello’ for somebody, and I’ve got myself in this incredible predicament.” It was very Buñuelish to me at the time.’

‘I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling ’bout half past dead. 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, ‘No’ was all he said.’