Whipping Post

by

The Allman Brothers Band

Album: The Allman Brothers Band      Released: 1969

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Gregg Allman wrote this in Jacksonville in 1968, just after he returned from Los Angeles.

Gregg wrote this on an ironing board using burnt matches. He got the idea in the middle of the night and couldn't find a pen.

This became a staple of their live shows. They usually played it as an extended jam, often improvising so it did not sound the same twice.

This was the last song on the first Allman Brothers album.

Berry Oakley came up with the bass line, which the band worked around. Oakley died in a motorcycle accident in 1972.

A 22-minute live version appears on At Fillmore East. Since this took up almost an entire side, it became a double album. The band insisted on keeping the price close to that of a single album.

Fans would scream out for this even at concerts for other bands.

The chorus is written in 11/8 time, but the verses are written in 12/8. (thanks, Dustin - Baltimore, MD)

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Comments:

Brain, it was Whipping Post with the burnt out matches, if you want a copy of the interview contact me. Midnight Rider was written on a typewriter according the Gregg. Be safe, Gary Crow KZOK Seattle's one and only Classic Rock Station
- Gary, Seattle, WA

It doesn't matter what you say I ejoyed this song when I was there in person...and I sometimes wish I was paying more attention...at that time lol
- diana, Fuquay, NC

Love this song Awesome Bass,Lyrics,and Guitar.......Vinny
- vince, Lantana, FL

this song is great! - new photos of the Allman Brothers Band - http://www.msg.com/photos/the-allman-brothers-live-at-the-beacon/
- Tommy Lei, New York, NY

Yet another great song, great lyrics, and an absolutely driving bass for the intro. Even the guitars and keyboards sound tortured, as per the subject matter of the lyrics.
- oldpink, New Castle, IN

There is a notorious live tape of Zappa where a fan screams out "Whipping Post!". He is confused at first but then laments that the band wasn't able just pull that out and play it because that would have been impressive. He eventually released a cover version of it.
- Nick, tampa, FL

Walter, um...didn't need that visual, but hey, that's cool. Good for you. I like the song for a different reason. My girlfriend dumped me last year, and as wierd irony would have it, this song came on the radio in my car later that day. I spent the entire way home, screaming the lyrics along with Gregg Allman. My band and I performed at my school's talent show recently, and this is the song we played. My ex-girlfriend was in the crowd...nothing could have beens sweeter, haha.
- Rob, Detroit , MI

Great song!! I will never forget when my girl and I danced naked, up close, humping to the bass beat.
- walter, Taylor, PA

I am so living this song right now.
- Brian, Belfast, ME

this is such a song. I just saw them at the Beacon Theatre last night. This was so awesome and Barry your right Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are a great combination and both fantastic guitarrists
- Justin, Albany, NY

I think the song is a lot more powerful sung by a woman: Genya Ravan.
- illfolks.blogspot, NY, NY

Gregg Allman DID write "Whipping Post."
- Sled, St. Louis, NE

The song written with the burnt out matches was "Midnight Rider" This was written after a love affair gone bad in California.
- Brian, Cottage Grove, MN

Gregg wrote the song using burnt matchsticks on an ironing board cover, as per his visit on my program 3/18/05. Cheers, Gary
- Gary, Seattle, WA

If I am not mistaken, this is actually based on an old blues song. Greg Allman didn't write it
- David, New York City, NY

This song is always a highlight at the Beacon Theatre shows. Derek Trucks is definitely the best young guitarist of the 00s. He and Warren Haynes are a perfect pair as the ABB guitarists. I don't miss Dickey.
- Barry, New York, NY

This song, along with In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed, stands at a crossroads in rock history. It was at or near the top of the pile of mega-jam songs that also included Cream's Spoonful and Hendrix's Machine Gun. But it also helped usher in an age of second and third rate guitarists who thought they were jazz musicians, playing self-indulgent, extended and apparently endless solos - both professionally and at every local bar and club. So, on the one hand, without this song, there might have been no Phish and no Dave Matthews Band (and I'm sure people disagree about whether or not that's good). Without it, rock audiences might never have been turned on to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report. On the other hand, This song and others like it were the thesis to which Van Halen's short-song, quick-but-lightening-like solos were the antithesis and a welcome relief. Now, a fact: Aside from Santana, who probably was viewed as in a class by himself and therefore not as seminal in the development of rock music generally, this song and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed were incredibly important in introducing rock guitarists to eight-note scales rather than the five-note (pentatonic) scales inherited from the blues. IMHO, every rock guitarist should study this song and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed before moving on to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai or Yngwie Malmsteen.
- Paul, Newton, NM

This is #383 in Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs.
- Ross, Independence, MO

I love this song! I think it's one of my favorites by them!
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

Frank Zappa played this live on occasion, apparently to please his son Dweezil, by now a competent guitarist in his own right.
- Martijn, Helmond, Netherlands

Actually, the chorus, verses and solos are all in 12/8 time. The intro and interludes are in 11/8
- Will, Long Island, NY

this is such a great song! i can't believe no one has commented about it, it's so emotional, and amazing to listen to!
- sal, ny, NY

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