Lonesome Suzie
"Lonesome Suzie" | |
---|---|
Song by The Band | |
from the album Music from Big Pink | |
Released | July 1, 1968 |
Recorded | Early 1968 |
Genre | Rock |
Length | 4:04 |
Label | Capitol |
Songwriter(s) | Richard Manuel |
Producer(s) | John Simon |
Lonesome Suzie is a 1968 song by The Band written and sung by Richard Manuel originally appearing on their influential debut album Music From Big Pink[1] It was also released on Across The Great Divide, a compilation box set from 1994. Drummer Levon Helm has said that "...Lonesome Suzie was Richard's failed attempt to write a hit record." It never charted and is one of the few songs on which Manuel contributed writing, but is also recognized as one of Manuel's signature pieces. In 1970 it was released as the B-side of the French single release of "Whispering Pines".
Recording
The song features Manuel's soulful vocals complemented by Robbie Robertson's simple guitar licks with a subtle backing by the other members. Some of Robertson's guitar licks follow Manuel's lines in a manner similar to Charlie McCoy's work on Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row".
Theme
The song follows a seemingly troubled woman who hopes to acquire a friend or lover but struggles in doing so. The narrator offers his support, but is not a suitable match. He says he doesn't belong there, but may know someone who does. The narrator, of course, means himself the entire time eventually asking the woman to be with him in the line "why don't we get together, what else can we do?".[2]
Alternate Version
The 2000 re-issue of Music From Big Pink includes a version of the song with a faster tempo and more doo wop rhythm.
Cover versions
In 1970, it was covered by Blood, Sweat & Tears on their third album Blood, Sweat & Tears 3.
Personnel
- Richard Manuel - lead vocal, piano
- Robbie Robertson - electric guitar
- Garth Hudson - Lowrey organ, soprano saxophone
- Levon Helm - drums
- Rick Danko - bass guitar
References
External links
- "Lonesome Suzie", complete song lyrics
- v
- t
- e
| |
with Bob Dylan |
---|
- Rock of Ages
- Before the Flood
- The Last Waltz (1978 soundtrack album)
- The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down: The Best of the Band Live in Concert
- Live at Watkins Glen
- The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966
- The Last Waltz (2002 box set)
- Live at the Academy of Music 1971
- The Best of the Band
- Anthology
- To Kingdom Come
- Across the Great Divide
- The Best of the Band, Vol. II
- Greatest Hits
- A Musical History
- The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete
- The Last Waltz
- Festival Express
- Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band
- "Uh-Uh-Uh"
- "The Stones I Throw"
- "Go Go Liza Jane"
- "The Weight" / "I Shall Be Released"
- "Rag Mama Rag" / "The Unfaithful Servant"
- "Up on Cripple Creek" / "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"
- "Time to Kill" / "The Shape I'm In"
- "Life Is a Carnival"
- "On a Night Like This" (with Bob Dylan)
- "Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine" (with Bob Dylan)
- "Ophelia"
- "Atlantic City"
- "Tears of Rage"
- "We Can Talk"
- "Long Black Veil"
- "Chest Fever"
- "Lonesome Suzie
- "This Wheel's on Fire"
- "Across the Great Divide"
- "When You Awake"
- "Whispering Pines"
- "Jemima Surrender"
- "Look Out Cleveland"
- "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)"
- "Sleeping"
- "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show"
- "Daniel and the Sacred Harp"
- "Stage Fright"
- "When I Paint My Masterpiece"
- "4% Pantomime"
- "Don't Do It"
- "Mystery Train"
- "Holy Cow"
- "Acadian Driftwood"
- "It Makes No Difference"
- "Georgia on My Mind"
- "Blind Willie McTell"
- "What Am I Living For"
- Discography
- Bob Dylan
- Bob Dylan World Tour 1966
- Bob Dylan and the Band 1974 Tour
- Cate Brothers
- Ronnie Hawkins
- The Weight Band
- Big Pink
- Shangri-La
- List of Basement Tapes songs
- List of Basement Tapes songs (1975)
- So Many Roads (1965, Helm, Hudson, Robertson)
- The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album (1975, Helm, Hudson)
- No Reason to Cry (1976, Danko, Helm, Hudson, Manuel, Robertson)
- Let It Rock (1995, Bell, Ciarlante, Danko, Helm, Hudson, Weider)
- Carry Me Home (2022, Helm, Weider)
- Endless Highway: The Music of the Band
- The Complete Last Waltz
- This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band