The Weight

by

The Band

Album: Music From Big Pink

Released: 1968

Charted:

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This tells the story of a guy who visits Nazareth, and is asked by his friend Annie to visit several of her friends. "The Weight" that is his load are all these strange people he promised he would check on. The song was never a big hit, but it endures as a Classic Rock staple.

The Band's guitarist Robbie Robertson claims this was influenced by the work of Luis Bunuel, a Mexican director 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.

Robbie Robertson got the only writing credit for this, although other members of the group claimed that they contributed to this as well as many of their other songs and were not credited. Since only the writer receives royalties for a song, this created a great deal of tension in The Band.

The vocals are shared by Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, and Levon Helm. One of the distinctive characteristics of The Band was their three lead vocalists.

Nazareth, where the story takes place, refers to the town in Pennsylvania about 70 miles north of Philadelphia. The Rock group Nazareth got their name from this line ("Went down to Nazareth, I was feeling about half past dead..."). In the liner notes for the Across the Great Divide box set, Robbie is quoted as saying that he chose that place because they make legendary Martin Guitars there, so he was aware of the place and been there once or twice. The only reason I know all of this is because I grew up in that area, and found it cool that little Nazareth, PA was mentioned in SUCH an influential song. (thanks, Jared - Meadville, PA)

The characters in the song - Crazy Chester, Luke, Anna Lee, are based on friends of the band. In Levon Helm's autobiography This Wheel's On Fire: Levon Helm And The Story Of The Band, he explained:
"We had two or three tunes, or pieces of tunes, and "The Weight" was one I would work on. Robbie had that bit about going down to Nazareth - Pennsylvania, where the Martin guitar factory is at. The song was full of our favorite characters. "Luke" was Jimmy Ray Paulman. "Young Anna Lee" was Anna Lee Williams from Turkey Scratch. "Crazy Chester" was a guy we all knew from Fayetteville who came into town on Saturdays wearing a full set of cap guns on his hips and kinda walked around town to help keep the peace,if you follow me. He was like Hopalong Cassidy, and he was a friend of the Hawks. Ronnie would always check with Crazy Chester to make sure there wasn't any trouble around town. And Chester would reassure him that everything was peaceable and not to worry, because he was on the case. Two big cap guns, he wore, plus a toupee! There were also "Carmen and the Devil", "Miss Moses" and "Fanny," a name that just seemed to fit the picture. (I believe she looked a lot like Caladonia.) We recorded the song maybe four times. We weren't really sure it was going to be on the album, but people really liked it. Rick, Richard, and I would switch the verses around among us, and we all sang the chorus: Put the load right on me!"

There has been more than a little debate among Classic Rock DJs and enthusiasts over the real meaning of this song. Yes, Robertson has insisted time and again there is no biblical subtext, but many people think he may be deflecting. Consider the following:
- The narrator can't find a bed in Nazareth, and the guy to whom he makes an inquiry just smiles and says "no."
- Carmen and the devil were walking side by side, Carmen can go but her friend the devil has to stick around - an allusion to ever-present temptations.
- "Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fall" - possible allusion to Paul on the road to Damascus.
- The most glaring one: "I do believe it's time to get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one who sent me here with her regards for everyone" - Miss Fanny is the one who sent him to Nazareth, but now it's time for him to go back to her; Miss Fanny is God, the "time" in question is the crucifixion, and "regards for everyone" is Jesus dying for all of man's sins. (thanks, S.D. - Denver, CO)

This was used in the movie Easy Rider. The Band performed the version heard in the movie, but on the soundtrack, a different group was used because of legal issues.

On September 28, 1968, this song reached its peak US chart position of #63. That same day, Jackie DeShannon's cover reached its peak of #55 US. DeShannon's release wasn't what she had in mind. She explained in our interview: "I absolutely said, 'No way I'm going to do it, it's The Band's record, goodbye.' But the label kept calling me, so I finally said, 'Well, if you can get confirmation from The Band that they're not putting it out as a single and I can do it with their permission, then okay.' So, I recorded it. The record's going up the chart and all of a sudden, here comes The Band's single. Then Aretha Franklin's version comes out. So I was at a radio station talking to the program director, and there were two other people promoting the same record outside the door."

Aretha Franklin's version was the biggest hit, reaching #19 in March, 1969. Many other acts have since covered the song. A version by Diana Ross and the Supremes with The Temptations reached #46 in October, 1969, which was the last time it charted in America. The song was also recorded by: A Group Called Smith, The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Joan Osborne, Keller Williams, King Curtis & Duane Allman, Otis & Travis, Rotary Connection, Spooky Tooth, and The Ventures.

The album title came from the big pink house in upstate New York they rented and recorded in. The Band was Bob Dylan's backup band, and they moved there to be near Dylan while he was recovering from a motorcycle accident. Dylan offered to help with this album, but The Band refused because they wanted to make a mark on their own.

This was used in a television commercial in the US for Cingular/AT&T Wireless.

The Staple Singers sing on this in The Band's 1978 concert film The Last Waltz. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2)

Weezer covered this in 2008 and released it as a bonus track on The Red Album.

In 2007, this was used in a commercial for Cingular Wireless. Levon Helm took issue with it and sued BBDO, the advertising agency that came up with the campaign. Said Helm: "It was just a complete, damn sellout of The Band - its reputation, its music; just as much disrespect as you could pour on Richard and Rick's tombstones."

The Band played this at Woodstock in 1969. The festival fit in well with their schedule, as they were touring to promote their first album, Music From Big Pink. Their performance stands out as a highlight from the festival, and earned The Band a great deal of exposure. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 3)

Scottish rock band Nazareth, who are best known for their transatlantic hit "Love Hurts," took their name from a lyric in this song - "I pulled into Nazareth, Was feelin' about half past dead."

This song was featured in the 1978 documentary of The Band, The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese. Most of the film was shot at their Thanksgiving Day, 1976 concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, but their performance of "The Weight" was done in a studio with The Band joined by The Staple Singers, a Gospel group who wrung out the spirituality of the song.

In celebration of Band drummer Levon Helm, who died in 2012, "The Weight" was performed at the Grammy Awards the next year with Mavis Staples joining Elton John, Mumford & Sons, the Zac Brown Band and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes. Unlike many star-packed performances that get messy fast, this one worked. The song is a great showcase for multiple performers and served as a fitting tribute to Helm.

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Comments (77):

Great work going on here. I just love it. Hell, we might even squeeze all this together into a real legend!
The Weight is that one song eternal that goes off in everyone's head and leaves 'em sayin':
Wait a minute, I know that tune, did… er…er…er Dylan or one of them R&B gals do it.
It's a goodtime song, let it rest.

Thx Spotty for the history.

- Barry K, Beulah, AL

So..Its not about a gay experience in Nazareth Pa.?

- Reidh, arizona, AZ

Just a little background on the characters origins in this song. Ricky Danko grew up near Simcoe Ontario. A neighbour of his was Chester, and when Ricky was old enough worked on the tobacco farm that Chester owned. Chester did indeed have a dog named Jack and a horse named Fanny. Fanny was a workhorse on the tobacco farm. The assumption is that Ricky wanted to unfurrow Fanny (take the load off Fanny). Now whether he actually wanted to ride Fanny or just felt bad that Fanny had to work hard. Knowing Chester, I would have expected that Fanny was worked pretty hard. Interestingly, Jack was Chester's favourite dog/animal in his life. Not sure what exactly the lyrics mean about Jack in the story, but that is exactly the way crazy Chester talked. He very often led his sentences with "Boy...". Some of the other characters were part of Chester's family (Luke, Emily, Carmen...). How do I know all of this, my wife is one of Chester's grandaughtereds. The whole story of the song I think will always be a mystery. But no doubt Ricky was impressioned by Fanny and Crazy Chester. And everone I know that met Chester, has never forgotten him. He was truely a unique individual, and a little bit "crazy". Chester dies about 2 yrs ago, so pretty sure we will never know!

- Spotty, Orillia, ON

It's entirely possible that this song is 'only' about Nazareth, PA and some of the members of The Band's friends. Or it could have multiple meanings, and I think it probably does, though I suspect the significance of the other-than-primary meaning is or was kept to The Band's members. I believe the primary meaning was that it was a way to convey in a uniquely American cultural idiom the 'high points' of the New Testament. Look at the stanzas one by one and you can clearly see each maps to a major event or figure in the NT. Now I am not a religious man at all, but I do calls 'em as I sees 'em.

Eg, stanza 1: he pulls into Nazareth, half past dead (born knowing he is doomed to die young for man's sins, etc.) and just wants a place to sleep, but there isn't one. Sound familiar? Or how about Carmen and the devil-- remember the temptations in the desert? How about Anna Lee? She's Mary Magdalen. Crazy Chester is Paul, or more generally Jesus' followers, but it could allude to Judas, 'the dog' being his sinfulness at betraying Jesus, who 'feeds his dog' by allowing it to happen. The final stanza is of course about the final sacrifice by crucifixion.

I think The Band has denied they wrote a sort of tribute song to Jesus because it wasn't PC at the time and in their circle to do so, and they may be maintaining this claim to this day. But really, can it possibly be any more obvious?

- Matt, Rochester, NY

Not really sure what the song is all about, even after reading all these comments. It's still a terrific song with excellent overlapping vocals.
And/and/and///you put the load//put the load/put the load right on me.

- Camille, Toronto, OH

I always found it interesting how many bands, particularly those of the classic rock era, end up sniping and often breaking up (and leaving millions upon millions of dollars on the table in the process) over writing credits. Yes, it is a money thing, but is it really so hard to share. If memory serves, Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones guitarist after Brian Jones and before Ronnie Wood) was eventually booted from the band over his constant carping about not getting writing credits for the various Jagger-Richards songs that he collaborated on (and, yes, his drug use didn't help). You think he doesn't wish he had a nickel for every million dollars Ronnie Wood earned playing guitar for the Stones over the past 40 years! Heck, even Paul McCartney started a campaign in recent years to have the songs he wrote to be listed as McCartney-Lennon songs (and, of course, Yoko, keeps saying no). The Doors are one of the few bands who did it right. All songs.. no matter who wrote what... are "written by The Doors" and all writing credits shared equally. Yes, they grew to despise Jim on occasion (but not over money) and the band was essentially kaput by the time Jim died, but they managed to stay together and keep making music (and money) until that happened.

- Ken, Philadelphia, PA

The lyrics "I will fix your rat if you watch Jack my dog;" a "Rat" is the nickname of a Chevy Big Block engine

- Tommy, Hampton, VA

I am a long time Pennsylvania musician who resides fairly close to the town of Nazareth Pa. I have attended VIP tours by invitation at the Martin guitar factory. That being said, having lived and worked in southeastern Pa for my entire life, maybe I can shed some light on this song. Knowing what I know about writing music, and life here in Pa....... not unlike other places in the world, the song is what it is. What that means exactly is this. When we were all young musicians, writing was sometimes a struggle, so writing about what you knew was the best bet especially when you lived in an area where life could be considered surreal. Nazareth sits just north of the town of Bethlehem Pa., are you getting a picture yet ? The areaisis located

- Paul, North Wales, PA

The lyrics are
"Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in a fog
He said I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my Dog"

- JIM, WOODLAND PARK, NJ

"Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog (or bog).
Said I will fix ____ ____ if you'll take Jack, my dog."
What are those two words?

- Acoustic Bob, Northfield, NJ

Reply to S.D.Denver Co. (above)
If your theory about a biblical subtext for "The Weight" is correct, the line about not finding a bed should occur in Bethlehem, not Nazareth.
Also the correct lyric is "Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the "Fog"..., not "fall".
Finally, why in God's name (pun intended) would God, The Father, be referred to as "Miss Fanny"?
Your theory rests on very shakey ground, in my humble opinion.
Reply to John, New York N.Y.(above)
The correct name of the female Staple Singer who
rocks this song in The Last Waltz is Mavis Staple, not Marva. (The late "Pops" Staple's correct first name was Roebuck.)

- Martin, Toronto, ON

Hugh from Calgary, Canada. The Band has spoken very openly about their influences and they are a mix of music from the deep south both Black and White influences. Sorry bro, nothin Canadian about their music. The French and English music history have nothing that sounds like The Band which is pure Americana. Oh! and Canada is in North America if we need more fodder.

- Thomas, Sacramento, CA

For the individual that remarked about Robbie Robertson not giving other guys in The Band their just song writing credits. Listen m8 The Hawks which became The Band after backing Dylan had been around long enough and Robbie the youngest member of The Band must have been really and master of deception to deceive these very capable Band m8's. Sorry J.R.Robertson is an extremely prolific song writer. They got writer's credits if their input warrented.

- Thomas, Sacramento, CA

I'm pretty sure he says, "Fernice."

- Tim, Washington, DC

You're ALL wrong!!! He's clearly saying 'Bernice'.

- Mike, Matawan, NJ

The Big Pink was in Saugerties near Woodstock, NY, a longtime artist's colony in the upper Catskills (west side of Hudson River). Originally the Woodstock Festival was to be held here, but the original site fell through and the organizers had to move it (to Yasgur's Farm in White Lake NY, further south and west, closer to the Borscht Belt part of the Catskills). Many musicians, including I believe Levon Holm, still live in the Woodstock area.

- Wanda, Upstate , NY

yes! it's fannie

- niles, Belpre, OH

It's Fannie, not Annie. alot of people think it is Annie but if you check the lyrics it reads "fannie" it's just hard to here it in the song because it 'off' comes before the name and the flow of the song makes it sound like "offfAnnieeeee"

- Brock, Jackson, MI

My mom got my middle name from this song. Except she spelled it, "Annaleigh." Whenever people ask what my middle name is they always comment on how pretty it is and unique.

- Lucia, Chicago, IL

I always wondered what this song was about I knew it wasn't just random stuff and people

- Hunter, Camden, TN

When I had only been dating my now fiancé for a couple of months, he got called out of town for work, and since I was on holidays for work I went with him. We drove 16 hours to the middle of ontario--in between Thunder bay and Sioux Ste. Marie, and all we got was a radio station called "The Giant" that would always play was "The Weight" ...it kinda became "our song" It's also the song that will be playing when we have our first dance as husband and wife. i know it's kinda hokey, but I always hear it! like last weekend, we went to a dinner theater, and they sang it. I was getting my nails done like 2 months ago...and it was on, or when were were camping in Jasper, AB the people at the next site were blasting it. I can't get away from it! lol

- Lindsay, Winnipeg, MB

My parents named my sister after this song "Annalee" and to this day we have never met anyone else with the name.

- Morgan, Bemidji, MN

I have always loved this country tinged classic.
Take a load off, indeed.

- oldpink, New Castle, IN

Panic at the Disco did a cover of this song at the beginning of their Civic Tour

- Joe, Annapolis, MD

Who wrote this song? Robbie alone?

- Jim, Amsterdam, Netherlands

My favorite band Weezer just did a cover bonus track of "The Weight". However, I don't know if any band will ever top the performance of "The Band".

- NETNET, New Egypt NJ, NJ

The cannon ball is a reference to a train.

- Geo, Altoona, PA

Yeah, it's pretty clear towards the end of the song, "...I do believe it's time, to get back to Miss Fanny..." No mistaking the FFFFFFFFF in that line. Besides Levon Helm in his own book mentions Fanny. By the way, I never knew what what "Fanny" meant in England until I saw the British show THE OFFICE. Its always meant "back side" here in America.

- Dogma, Alexandria, LA

Its not' Miss "annie" it is Miss FANNY. Listen to it. Listen to it several times, and you'll hear the F.

- bloodaxe, Lincoln, NE

For those of you who think they are singing 'Fannie', you are very wrong. It just SOUNDS like Fannie because the word Annie comes after the word 'off'. So the F and the A run together. I can't believe nobody even listened to, or read the lyrics of the very last verse. It's plain as day. The person is Annie, not Fannie. Read this:

Catch a Cannonball, now,
to take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low,
and I do believe it's time.
To get back to MISS ANNIE,
you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here
with her regards for everyone.

See? The proof was right in front of you all along.

My regards to everyone,

Brad - singer/songwriter, player of The Band misuc

- Bradical, Indianapolis, IN

this song is about the small Canadian towns, thats what it reminds me of each time i hear it.

- nathan, from the country of, Canada

my 7 & 9 year old kids love this song. they sing it in the car with me, they like alot of the 70's music.

- Big Ed, Pulaski, TN

Great song. By the way: Luis Buñuel was a Spanish director (exiled in Mexico), who collaborated with Salvador Dali, and friend of Garcia Lorca.

- Miguel, Madrid, Spain

This was in a SNL skit when Zach braff was hosting. They are in a bar and talk about what they think of when they hear the song. Funny stuff.

Great song too.

- Jim, Philadelphia, PA

I always though it was Annie. Maybe I just hoped it was since it is my name, and every word represents something or someone I have come across in my life. I have seen a few different bands play this song, and swear Bob Weir (Ratdog) sings Annie. I also believe Dylan sang Annie too. I now know The Band wrote Fanny, but I still have not found solid prove that it has never been sang Annie.

- anne, chicago, IL

I like the cover by Travis more than the original, it has a lot more depth.

- Renee, Saint John, Canada

Dylan also did the artwork for this album, in addition to Self Portrait.

- Mike, Scarsdale, NY

as much as I liked this song I never really knew what it was about exactly until now.

- nathan, from the country of, Canada

On the commentary track for The Last Waltz, you can hear the normally loquacious Martin Scorsese stumble to a halt in is commentary as he tries to describe what this song is about. That's why I love this song; it always feels like there?s another level to it that I haven't figured out yet.

Also, I think the version with the Staples Singers is the best. When Pops chimes in with "Hey Luke, my friend" I get a chill.

- Sebastian, Boston, MA

the band probably the best five musicians ever assemmbled in one rock band all five multi talented with instruments between the five members they could play about thirty different instruments garth hudson leading the way helm danko manuel three good voices robertson doing most of the writing

- richie, brooklyn, NY

Travis the band also did a cover of this song.

- Stephanie, Kingston, Canada

Sorry yduR, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he grew up in Nazareth, I think this Nazareth is in reference to the Pa. town though.

- Dale, Magrath, Alberta, Canada

Personally my Favorite Verse is the 2nd about Carman and the Devil... To Me... It shows how friends can really cause problems for you... Many people who are overcoming addictions are told that they may have to find new friends because Friends with Bad Habits or problems can spread onto you... Well what happens in the verse... There's Carman and the Devil walking Side by Side... And When Carmen is asked to go downtown with him... She's says she has to go but My friend(The Devil) can stick around... Leaving him with the Devil who was with Carmen... To me this Means Friends come and go but they can leave some nasty stuff behind... Robbie Robertson is brilliant...

- Brian, Grand Forks, ND

The Scottish rock band, Nazareth, took their name from the first line of this song: "I pulled into Nazareth..." Later they recorded a hard-rock cover of Joni Mitchell "This Flight Tonight". Joni & Robbie Robertson of The Band were regular musical collaborators.

- Pat, Brampton, Canada

Sadie i have not read the book but when i did watch the movie it was very evident that the movie did try to suggest that it was Robbie Robertson featuring the Band, kind of deal.Kind of bugged me to be honest.I thought Levon had a hell of a good performance at that show.

- kevin, cincinnati, OH

If anyone is truly interested in The Band, please read Levon Helm's book "This Wheel's Still on Fire", it explains everything that the movie The Last Waltz skips. That film was great, but was also a deal between Scorsese and Robertson, so everyone else got marginalized.

- Sadie, San Francisco, CA

Once again I screwed up I wasn't a fan of the musicians who performed on the Weight I thought they were trying to steel the show.

- Dan, Lee, NH

I'm sorry what I meant is I watched the Last Waltz and I wasn't a fan of the other musicians.

- Dan, Lee, NH

I was at the last Waltz and this song was great but I wasn't a huge fan of the other performers on the song I thoght the song was always the band's not some other musicians trying to be a part of it.

- Dan, Lee, NH

ive seen the Black Crowes cover this to, they did an awesome job

- Phil, Palo Alto, CA

Uh, Duh, Nazareth was also the birthplace of JESUS!!! There are MANY references to scripture in JRR's songs.

- yduR, Knoxville, TN

A true classic. It's such a fine mix of folk and rock by some of the best performers of all time.

- Dan, Lee, NH

Nazareth, PA, is also the home of the Martin guitar factory. . .

- anthea, boston, MA

A number of these songs contained what John Simon described as "personal folklore", with a number of characters and place names having a resonance for the members of the Band which no one else would necessarily understand. For example the "Crazy Chester" referred to in "The Weight" was a real person.

Robertson admitted this but qualified the statement accordingly: "You pick things that come to mind and [they] sometimes have to do with personal experiences and people that you have known. But, they are not `specific' stories. It was North American folklore in the making".
(from http://theband.hiof.no/)
***
It is "Fannie," not "Annie/Anna Lee." And Bert, it isn't about the clap. But I guess audience interpretation is, in large part, based on personal experiences.

- Tulei, Hopkinsville, KY

Interesting. I've tried to put this together as a nativity song, stuck on the first verse: "Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?" And there is something to the Christ in "...put the load right on me."

- Bruce, Yorktown, VA

It is funny that Phil says this song is pure American, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson are all Canadian. That is why they are goods friends with Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, who were in The Last Waltz.

- Hugh, Calgary, Canada

It's hard to improve on the Band's original performance of this song, but the version in the Last Waltz with the Staples beats it. Papa and Mavis demonstrate what soul singing is all about. It's also nice that the vocalist changes on each verse.

- Brian, La Mesa, CA

The Band was not featured in the movie WOODSTOCK, but this tune was one of the outtakes that was used in the Lost Performances video. According to Mike Lang, one of the organizers of the festival, the Band were really nervous onstage. However, this version of "The Weight" is rather good.

- Barry, New York, NC

The first time i heard this song I tought everyone were in the Hell, and Robbie was singing about his pass trough it, just like Dante Alighieri. Don´t you think so???

- Ricardo, Mexico, Mexico

The first time i heard this song I tought everyone were in the Hell, and the singer was singing about his pass trough it, jst like Dante

- Ricardo, Mexico, Mexico

I like the version of this song from "The Last Waltz" done by The Band with the Staple Singers. Marva and Pops Staple add a nice gospel feel to the song.

- John, New York, NY

Yes, the person is named "Fannie", not "Annie". "Take a load off, Fannie".

- Scott, Portland, OR

"The Weight" closed out an episode of 'Sports Night', which deals with the depths of human failure, and the hope and majesty of human achievement. A perfect musical choice.

- Robert, Puyallup, WA

This was #41 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs.

- Ross, Independence, MO

isnt it fannie? not annie?

- Ryan, Edmonton, Canada

This is a great song, pure Americana! It is sad to know that each member contributed so much to the success of The Band, yet Robbie Robertson gets sole credit.
I know he wrote the majority of the lyrics, but if it wasn't for each member, no song would be what it is! Levon Helm's stories of his youth was part of the inspiration for this song. (Fanny was a childhood friend).Robertson's ego is evident in The Last Waltz, where he got the majority of commentary, and camera time.
I can understand that he wanted to move on, with the drugs, and personal issues of the group, but for him to get all the credit is total BS! Each menber is multi talented and genius in their own right!!

- PHIL, San Jose, CA

"The Weight" is used in a new Cingular Wireless commercial, advertising how they're improving on their signal.

- Brendon, Paxton, IL

It seems that all the people he meets are dying. Carmen is with the devil, Luke's waiting on the judgement day, Chester needs him to feed his dog, and then at the end he says his bag is "sinking low and I do believe it's time". That's the way it has always come across to me, anyway.

- John, Cambridge, Canada

This song is just bout being a good person, with great singing and acoustics

- Matthew, Indy, IN

Why was the version by 'Smith' included on the 'Easy rider'-soundtrack, and NOT the Band's original?

- Henning, Oslo, Norway

And it has become major Sold Out Gold, making TV and movie appearances.

It is now on the Cingular/AT&T Wireless commercials, it was in another commercial a few years ago with a girl throwing clothes into her car and splitting town and it was on an episode of the TV series Ed.

It was played in the movies Hope Floats, The Big Chill, Easy Rider, Girl Interrupted, Patch Adams, and Starsky & Hutch for God's sake.

This has always been a favorite of mine, but it is getting watered down in extreme of late.

- Mike, Seattle, WA

The band O.A.R. also covers this.

- Ross, Cleveland, OH

This was covered by Shannon Curfman on her 1999 album "Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions."

- Joel, Jesup, IA

The house "Big Pink" mentioned above was owned by Bob Dylan.

- James, Birmingham, AL

'Take a load off Fanny' was all about catching the clap.

- Bert Van De Kamp, Den Bosch, Netherlands

This was also covered by Spooky Tooth and was a minor hit in England.

- janet, perth, Australia

Dr. Dre did a cover of this featuring Jay Z

- jeffq, Nekoosa, WI

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