Up on Cripple Creek
The Band
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When I get off of this mountain You know where I want to go Straight down the Mississippi River To the Gulf of Mexico To Lake George, Louisiana Little Bessie, girl that I once knew And she told me just to come on by If there's anything she could do Up on Cripple Creek she sends me If I spring a leak she mends me I don't have to speak she defends me A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one Good luck had just stung me To the race track I did go She bet on one horse to win And I bet on another to show Odds were in my favor I had him five to one When that nag came around the track Sure enough we had won Up on Cripple Creek she sends me If I spring a leak she mends me I don't have to speak she defends me A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one I took up all of my winnings And I gave my little Bessie half And she tore it up and blew it in my face Just for a laugh Now there's one thing in the whole wide world I sure would like to see That's when that little love of mine Dips her doughnut in my tea Up on Cripple Creek she sends me If I spring a leak she mends me I don't have to speak she defends me A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one Now me and my mate were back at the shack We had Spike Jones on the box She said, "I can't take the way he sings But I love to hear him talk" Now that just gave my heart a fall To the bottom of my feet And I swore and I took another pull My Bessie can't be beat Up on Cripple Creek she sends me If I spring a leak she mends me I don't have to speak she defends me A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one As a flood out in California And up north it's freezing cold And this living off the road Is getting pretty old So I guess I'll call up my big mama Tell her I'll be rolling in But you know, deep down, I'm kinda tempted To go and see my sweet Bessie again Up on Cripple Creek she sends me If I spring a leak she mends me I don't have to speak she defends me A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one
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Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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17 facts about this song
Origins of the Song"Up on Cripple Creek" is a song by The Band and was released on their 1969 album, "The Band."
- While Bob Dylan is noted for his collaborations and close relationship with The Band, he did not perform on the original studio recording of "Up on Cripple Creek."
- The song was written by Band member Robbie Robertson, capturing the essence of rootsy, Americana rock that characterizes both The Band's and Dylan's music output.
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Performance and Popularity"Up on Cripple Creek" was oftentimes performed during the tours of Bob Dylan and The Band.
- The song reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
- It was The Band's highest charting single as a group, and their only Top 30 hit in the U.S.
- The song’s distinctly catchy organ riff helped it to become one of the band's most famous and enduring songs.
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Live Performance"Up on Cripple Creek" is a staple of The Band's live performances.
- One of its most famous live performances was at "The Last Waltz," The Band's farewell concert, which was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and released as a documentary of the same name.
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Lyrics and InterpretationsThe song tells the story of a hard-living man's love for a woman named Bessie.
- The lyrics carry a heavy dose of humor and sarcasm, encapsulating a uniquely rural, blue-collar perspective.
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Musical TechniquesThe song is unique for its use of a "clavinet," a type of electric keyboard instrument. The Band's Garth Hudson mastered this instrument to generate an iconic drawl sound.
- Additionally, the song is also known for the use of ‘instruments-augmented drum kit’ played by Levon Helm, which added a unique layer to the rhythm section.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered the song, including Gomez and Black Crowes. These attest to the song's continuing resonance and influence in rock and pop music.
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Influence and LegacyThe song remains an enduring symbol of The Band's distinctive take on American roots music.
- "Up on Cripple Creek" is regarded as one of the finest examples of The Band's ability to blend rock, country, and folk influences into a distinct and influential sound.
- The song, like many of The Band's best works, redefined the idea of what rock and roll could be, making it an enduring classic.
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Band Composition"Up on Cripple Creek" is a song performed by Bob Dylan and The Band. The Band, originally known as The Hawks, were Dylan's backup band during his 1966 world tour.
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Song OriginThe song was first released by The Band in 1969 on their second album, "The Band".
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Composer AttributionWhile The Band was known for its collaborative compositions, "Up on Cripple Creek" was written solely by the group's drummer, Levon Helm, and keyboardist, Robbie Robertson.
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Popularity Ranking"Up on Cripple Creek" was considered one of The Band's biggest successes, becoming the group's only top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
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Unique Sound ElementThe song is notable for the use of the clavinet, a keyboard instrument, that featured a distinctive 'twanging' sound. Garth Hudson, The Band's organist, played the clavinet.
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Song InspirationThe lyrics of the song, while somewhat cryptic, center around a man's appreciation for simple pleasures and seem to draw from traditional Appalachian folk themes, with references to nature and moonshine.
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Bob Dylan's ContributionAs their former frontman, Bob Dylan was influential on The Band and their musical style. However, his direct contribution to "Up on Cripple Creek" wasn't as pronounced as in some of their other collaborations.
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Live Performance"Up on Cripple Creek" was one of The Band's signature songs in their live performances.
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Featured in FilmThe song was highlighted in The Band's farewell concert, which was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and turned into a documentary, "The Last Waltz".
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Cultural ImpactIn 2004, "Up on Cripple Creek" was ranked no. 399 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time," demonstrating its lasting impact and popularity.
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Citation
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"Up on Cripple Creek Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23455408/The+Band/Up+on+Cripple+Creek>.
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