Little Feat — Willin'
Album: Sailin' ShoesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1994
Length: 2:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I been warped by the rain
Driven by the snow
I'm drunk and dirty, don't ya know
And I'm still, oh, I'm still
I'm out on the road late at night
I see my pretty Alice in every headlight
Alice, Dallas Alice
I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Now I've driven the back roads
So I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
Then you show me a sign
I'll be willin' to be movin'
And I've been kicked by the wind
Robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in
But I'm still on my feet
And I'm willin', oh, I'm willin'
Now I smuggled some smokes
And folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun
Almost every time I go to Mexico
And I'm willin'
And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Driven the back roads
So I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
And then you show me a sign
I'll be willin' to be movin'
Driven by the snow
I'm drunk and dirty, don't ya know
And I'm still, oh, I'm still
I'm out on the road late at night
I see my pretty Alice in every headlight
Alice, Dallas Alice
I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Now I've driven the back roads
So I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
Then you show me a sign
I'll be willin' to be movin'
And I've been kicked by the wind
Robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in
But I'm still on my feet
And I'm willin', oh, I'm willin'
Now I smuggled some smokes
And folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun
Almost every time I go to Mexico
And I'm willin'
And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Driven the back roads
So I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
And then you show me a sign
I'll be willin' to be movin'
Comments (329)add comment
The beautiful and wonderful Linda Ronstadt's version of this is knockout.
jelgator wrote:
Yes, it is nice. I mostly have heard the Waiting For Columbus version. I love the slide or lap steel that is coming through heavy on this one. Some good ol' boys!
I have listened to RP for a long while and I don't think I have ever heard this one played. Excellent!
Yes, it is nice. I mostly have heard the Waiting For Columbus version. I love the slide or lap steel that is coming through heavy on this one. Some good ol' boys!
Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah. Man, I need to start truckin.
Saw this band in Manchester UK in 1976 and they blew everyone away. What a night.
I have listened to RP for a long while and I don't think I have ever heard this one played. Excellent!
unclehud wrote:
That's great! Do it!
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
That's great! Do it!
unclehud wrote:
I've been through Tonopah many times. It's a good approximately halfway stop on the drive from Reno to Vegas. Passed the Clown Motel every time & still don't have the nerve to stop & go in.
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
I've been through Tonopah many times. It's a good approximately halfway stop on the drive from Reno to Vegas. Passed the Clown Motel every time & still don't have the nerve to stop & go in.
Bill must be planning a little vaca....first (Get Your Kicks) On Rt.66 then Willin'
Takes me back.
Love.
Thank you so much. Love the early Little Feat! Saw them many times before we lost Lowell.
Brilliant story 'bout asking someone to help build a bridge.
Only asking for 3 things.
And a sign...
Look and Listen to Linda Ronstadt's take from the early 70's (when I saw her).
Only asking for 3 things.
And a sign...
Look and Listen to Linda Ronstadt's take from the early 70's (when I saw her).
see...there you go
lizardking wrote:
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
Didn't Jackson Browne write that one?
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
Didn't Jackson Browne write that one?
what a great song
crank it
get on the road
crank it
get on the road
bokey wrote:
I was referring to the sanitizing of the lyrics.
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm sure if Linda ever had any questions about the lyrics all she had to do was ask since they were, umm, friends. She performed it with him live at least once that I know of. Probably more like a gazillion times in private.
I was referring to the sanitizing of the lyrics.
Businessgypsy wrote:
Having been from Tuscon to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah as well as Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo and Blair (and many points further afield), I heart this song.
"I've Been Everywhere" Johnny Cash unclehud wrote:
Been there.
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
lizardking wrote:
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
Let us not forget about the great songwriter Jackson Browne, who penned "Take It Easy", and was generous enough to gift that wonderful song to The Eagles, at a time when both they and Jackson were unknowns. It became The Eagles first hit song, and put them on the road to superstardom. Jackson was not far behind with his first hit, "Doctor My Eyes", from his first album, the eponymous "Jackson Browne". His second album, "For Everyman", made Jackson a big star, and included his version of "Take It Easy".
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
Let us not forget about the great songwriter Jackson Browne, who penned "Take It Easy", and was generous enough to gift that wonderful song to The Eagles, at a time when both they and Jackson were unknowns. It became The Eagles first hit song, and put them on the road to superstardom. Jackson was not far behind with his first hit, "Doctor My Eyes", from his first album, the eponymous "Jackson Browne". His second album, "For Everyman", made Jackson a big star, and included his version of "Take It Easy".
I will never get tired of this song <3
I see what you did there Bill. Rt. 66 to Willin'. Tonopah is a little out of the way, though.
A perfect gem.
Probably my favourite song by my favourite band. Definitely a 10.
I also enjoy Linda Rondstadt's rendition.
Love this tune. Been there, done that and more. Long haul trucking, all 48 states and Canada with my wife and 2 Siamese cats. A truly great adventure.
HeyAbbott wrote:
36 of my 2967 ratings are a 10. This is one of them.
It is Godlike isn't it?
36 of my 2967 ratings are a 10. This is one of them.
we liked truckers- they picked us all the time when we were hitchhiking
thewiseking wrote:
thewiseking wrote:
A perfect Trucker Song which somehow crossed over to us 70s Stoners
That sounded just right. Go figure. Guess we're all just longhauling it now.
unclehud wrote:
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
Just be sure to take the backroads! (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town. LLRP!!
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
Tucson, AZ
Tucumcari, NM
Tehachapi, CA
Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
A great song. However, it was released (as part of the Sailin' Shoes album) in 1972, not 1987.
uhg!
Segue wrote:
Yep Bill, One that we were lucky to have been alive through
Yep Bill, One that we were lucky to have been alive through
Superb
A perfect Trucker Song which somehow crossed over to us 70s Stoners
Dig the heck outa the lyrics.
LOL. How can the original be considered cliche and tired?
DocStrangelove wrote:
DocStrangelove wrote:
cliches
and
tired riffs
Music that is soulful and a legendary singer = Great song!
awesome lyrics
and
great riffs
Music that’s out of tune and I guy that can’t sing to save his life = one horrible song
primm wrote:
My favorite also.
sailin shoes one their early and best great stuff !
My favorite also.
my old feet loves Little Feat.
More FEAT, RP
Grandma would go to Tucumcari and Truth Or Consequences back in the 70's not sure what they did there?
Propayne wrote:
And this was the song that got him fired by Zappa....either for the drug reference, because it was too good...or both.
Was surprised to learn recently that Lowell George was in Frank Zappa's band.
And this was the song that got him fired by Zappa....either for the drug reference, because it was too good...or both.
A great truck driving song
Laowai wrote:
And my head stove in but I'm still on my feet.
Fantastic song. I think that much of the random shit that has occurred in my life and somehow all worked out well is best explained by the words: "And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcareeeee, Tahachipi to Tonapaha'a ah'."
And my head stove in but I'm still on my feet.
In high school a friend of mine drove tractor trailer log trucks for his dad in the summer. One night this came on the radio while we was putting on a buzz. He had never heard it so I turned it up and sang along. I think he sang that song for week after that night.
Was surprised to learn recently that Lowell George was in Frank Zappa's band.
?
mgkiwi wrote:
Pretty sure that was Debbie.
Is that the same Alice that did Dallas?
Pretty sure that was Debbie.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
You got me to go listen to Ry Cooder's version — nice. Thanks for that. I also discovered there's a whole bunch of covers out there by a variety of artists. Heck, Steve Earl gave it a mandolin and a slower pace... great stuff, great song.
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
You got me to go listen to Ry Cooder's version — nice. Thanks for that. I also discovered there's a whole bunch of covers out there by a variety of artists. Heck, Steve Earl gave it a mandolin and a slower pace... great stuff, great song.
Is that the same Alice that did Dallas?
This song has been covered BY EVERYBODY!
Most of 'em are pretty good, but it's still nice to hear the orig. now and then.
Most of 'em are pretty good, but it's still nice to hear the orig. now and then.
All of the drugs could not make this cool.
Sunman wrote:
thanx
i'll stick with the coffee and weed
uppers, e.g. cross tops...
thanx
i'll stick with the coffee and weed
uppers, e.g. cross tops...
what does he mean by whites in the line
give me weed, whites and wine
are whites uppers or the truck White Freightliner?
give me weed, whites and wine
are whites uppers or the truck White Freightliner?
And their album cover art work was top notch!
idiot_wind wrote:
>>>Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico<<<
Probably not as easy to do in 2016 as it was when Lowell George wrote the song 46 YEARS AGO!
Last night I watched a video of Little Feat, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt play live on the old TV show, Midnight Special".
>>>Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico<<<
Probably not as easy to do in 2016 as it was when Lowell George wrote the song 46 YEARS AGO!
sailin shoes one their early and best great stuff !
Last night I watched a video of Little Feat, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Rait play live on the old TV show, Midnight Special".
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
Classic!
nagsheadlocal wrote:
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
I log on to RP and miss a great song from a great group...damn. RP always plays wonderful sets.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Right up there with the Weight. Stops me dead in my tracks whenever I hear it.
Makes me want to move an underwater oil rig...
yofitofu wrote:
Longer if you take the back roads so you don't get weighed.
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
Longer if you take the back roads so you don't get weighed.
Where's Linda Ronstadt when you need her?
LG was a great song-smith, and Little Feat became a great band. And they can still get it done today - 45 years later! Also Kenny Gradney...one of the funkiest bass players ever.
But the best version of 'Willin'? SEATRAIN (1970) - it's their 2nd album and the opening song on side one. Comes at you like a bullet - check it out. Fantastic version. Also 13 Questions, Orange Blossom Special, and my favorite Song of Job.
g
But the best version of 'Willin'? SEATRAIN (1970) - it's their 2nd album and the opening song on side one. Comes at you like a bullet - check it out. Fantastic version. Also 13 Questions, Orange Blossom Special, and my favorite Song of Job.
g
yofitofu wrote:
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
Yeah, but Tucson to Tucumcari is almost 600 miles. Still, not much of a world traveler, but it makes for nice sounding lyrics.
yofitofu wrote:
That's some nice detective work there, Poindexter.
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
That's some nice detective work there, Poindexter.
Nothing less than 10. Ask anyone who knows anything about music.
Fantastic song. I think that much of the random shit that has occurred in my life and somehow all worked out well is best explained by the words: "And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcareeeee, Tahachipi to Tonapaha'a ah'."
Tippster wrote:
Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
This song is quite literally why Little Feat was founded - Lowell presented it to Zappa when he was one of the Mothers of Invention guitarists and Zappa kicked him out due to his "No Drugs as subject" zero tolerance rule.
Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.
Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
Lazarus wrote:
love this incredible song, and this brilliant album...
Super tune man, it's simply marvelous! Lazarus Rocks!!!
love this incredible song, and this brilliant album...
Super tune man, it's simply marvelous! Lazarus Rocks!!!
richlister wrote:
Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked and nobody be bored... we love this song...
hope life be lively for you right now, richlister...
Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked and nobody be bored... we love this song...
hope life be lively for you right now, richlister...
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!
Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!
Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
takes me back to the 70s, Little Feat in the 70s cyesp wrote:
But you miss the harmony... which is really where its at with this tune IMHO. My favorite version is on waiting for columbus.
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang. Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.
But you miss the harmony... which is really where its at with this tune IMHO. My favorite version is on waiting for columbus.
back_in_the_day wrote:
Yep, I like the Sea Train version better, might have been me posting that. I liked everything they did. AND I love some Feat.
I can't believe I found the answer to my brother's request "who did that cool version of Willin' we used to listen to?" Its way down in the '05 comments: Sea Train.
Yep, I like the Sea Train version better, might have been me posting that. I liked everything they did. AND I love some Feat.
love this incredible song, and this brilliant album...
A beautiful young woman sang a great version of this when I was in university. Thinking about it still makes my heart pound a bit harder and faster.
Holy smokes this song is awesome... love it...
Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!
mike_chouinard wrote:
She channels Lowell with her slide work.
To paraphrase Bonnie Raitt, I miss Lowell George more than I miss being eight years old. A great singer-songwriter and slide player with one of the greatest bands ever behind him.
She channels Lowell with her slide work.
I don't know about whites....but weed and wine is(uh....was) a hell of a combination.Especially in the 70's
Lowell was a friggin master song writer,guitar player,performer.
Lowell was a friggin master song writer,guitar player,performer.
jmsmy wrote:
Could be a true possibility, unfortunately......
Funny story about me & this song.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said
"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"
Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said
"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"
Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
Could be a true possibility, unfortunately......
denbear wrote:
me too, can't resist
I always sing along.
me too, can't resist
Funny story about me & this song.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said
"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"
Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said
"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"
Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
Another great artist lost.
One of my women friends uses the term Dallas Alice all the time. Cracks me up!
rado wrote:
WFC is one of my desert island discs. Couldn't agree more.
Only thing better is the live version on Waiting for Columbus (one of the all time great live albums, IMHO).
-Ed
-Ed
WFC is one of my desert island discs. Couldn't agree more.
yes, I love the Ry Cooder version too!
cyesp wrote:
cyesp wrote:
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang. Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.
It makes me happy to see so many positive comments for this great song!
I always sing along.
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang. Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.
God I miss those days...
It is Godlike isn't it?
Love Little feat. Might want to check that release date??? Early 70's i think.
perhaps already noted earlier in the comments, but I had heard somewhere Lowell wrote this while with the Mothers, and Frank said No to it- why dont you do it yourself? Thus was Little Feat born. Thanks, Frank! and rest in peace.
Another gem I never would have heard if it wasn't for RP. Great song. Thanks Bill!
Bill agrees with Tippster
To paraphrase Bonnie Raitt, I miss Lowell George more than I miss being eight years old. A great singer-songwriter and slide player with one of the greatest bands ever behind him.
Having been from Tuscon to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah as well as Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo and Blair (and many points further afield), I heart this song.
rabbi_phil wrote:
Well done Bill. Thanks for a great morning...
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice
Well done Bill. Thanks for a great morning...
Oh yes...
8, because the Live version is a 10.
Is this a Tucson theme?
8
9
9 rabbi_phil wrote:
Me too! 
and, OMG, to segue to LUCINDA WILLIAMS "Can't Let Go"!!! Billy Gee's Greatest Segues strikes again! 
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice
Me too! and, OMG, to segue to LUCINDA WILLIAMS "Can't Let Go"!!! Billy Gee's Greatest Segues strikes again! YES! You hit it this morning Bill nice work. Great Tune
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice
Must be one heck of a route..."Should I tell him about the bats? No, the poor bastard will see them soon enough."
Yay, a song about stoned, coked up, & drunken truckers. well, it's more fun if you don't think about the lyrics while driving on the highway...
Only thing better is the live version on Waiting for Columbus (one of the all time great live albums, IMHO).
-Ed
-Ed
I can't believe I found the answer to my brother's request "who did that cool version of Willin' we used to listen to?" Its way down in the '05 comments: Sea Train.
Yes! More Little Feat is better... bumper stickers should be issued.
Dylan was doing a great cover of this one a few years back.. well, maybe a bit more than a few now but still. GREAT stuff.
Dylan was doing a great cover of this one a few years back.. well, maybe a bit more than a few now but still. GREAT stuff.
azdcryan wrote:
damn right they do. . . love LF but the Crowes' version *smokes* this one
A mediocre guitar player and a mediocre singer do not one Lowell George maketh.
In some cases one is better than 2.
damn right they do. . . love LF but the Crowes' version *smokes* this one
A mediocre guitar player and a mediocre singer do not one Lowell George maketh.
In some cases one is better than 2.
Simply perfect.