Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band Song)
"Ramblin' Man" is a 1973 song by The Allman Brothers Band, featured on their album Brothers and Sisters. It was written by Dickey Betts, who also sang lead vocals.
The song, based on a 1951 song of the same name by Hank Williams, was The Allman Brothers Band's first and only top ten single, topping out at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it was held out of first place by Gregg's future wife Cher's Half-Breed. The song is sung by Betts and also features his lead guitar work, with support from session musician Les Dudek. Allmusic Guide writes that "the chorus is perhaps the catchiest and prettiest hook in all of Southern rock". Robert Christgau called the tune "miraculous".
The song forms part of the canon of American classic rock, and more specifically southern rock and has been featured in several movies, including The Exorcist, Big Fish, and When Harry Met Sally.
Despite being the band's biggest chart hit, since the mid-seventies it has only rarely been performed live by the band. Betts has said the song's structure doesn't lend itself well to improvisation, a key aspect of the band's concert performances. Since Betts' departure from The Allman Brothers Band, the remaining members have never performed it.
The song is a playable track in the music video games Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour. The 5:13 master track used in each game features an extended slide solo to cover up the fade-out at the end of the album version.
The song "Ramblin' Man" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.
The song was featured in the television series, Supernatural, in the premiere episode, and season four episode In the Beginning.
Cover versions include one by country musician Gary Stewart, who had a minor hit with the song in 1973.
Read more about Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band Song): Chart Performance, Key Signature and Composition
Famous quotes containing the words man, brothers and/or band:
“Well, I suppose we’ve got to have architects, too. But if I wanted to build a nice, cozy, unpretentious insane asylum, he’d be the man for it.”
—Peter Ruric, and Edgar G. Ulmer. Edgar G. Ulmer. Peter Alison (David Manners)
“Whether changes in the sibling relationship during adolescence create long-term rifts that spill over into adulthood depends upon the ability of brothers and sisters to constantly redefine their connection. Siblings either learn to accept one another as independent individuals with their own sets of values and behaviors or cling to the shadow of the brother and sister they once knew.”
—Jane Mersky Leder (20th century)
“There was a young lady called Gloria
Who was had by Sir Gerald Du Maurier
And then by six men
And Sir Gerald again
And the band of the Waldorf-Astoria.”
—Anonymous.