Feats Don't Fail Me Now

Album: Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Feet don't fail me now" is an expression said to encourage oneself in a crucial moment. It was apt for Little Feat, who were on their last legs with the label, Warner Bros., and needed to sell some albums to stay afloat. It was so bad that after their third album, Dixie Chicken (1973), they split off to do session work to stay afloat. They were outstanding musicians, so this work came easily: group leader Lowell George played guitar on Robert Palmer's Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley album (1974); keyboard player Bill Payne toured with The Doobie Brothers; and Sam Clayton (percussion), Paul Barrère (guitar) and Kenny Gradney (bass) went to work for the reggae star Johnny Nash.

    They reconvened after their manager found them a studio at a bargain-basement price: Blue Seas Recording Studio outside of Baltimore. They were pleasantly surprised by the studio quality and got the album done efficiently. "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" was chosen for the title, and it really did get them back on their feet when the album exceeded expectations.
  • This was written by band members Lowell George and Paul Barrère, along with their songwriting associate, Martin Kibbee. George sang lead.
  • Like many Little Feat songs, this one is about a traveler; a truck driver rolling on through the night. It's similar lyrically to their most famous song, "Willin'," which is also about a trucker.
  • In some places, the song title is listed as "Feets Don't Fail Me Now," including on the vinyl album.
  • Lowell George's daughter, Inara George, was born on July 4, 1974, not long after they recorded the album. Lowell enjoyed his time recording in Maryland so much that he made "Maryland" her middle name. Inara got her dad's musical genes and grew up to be a singer.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.