Go Back To Your Woods

Album: Storyville (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Go Back To Your Woods" is part of Robbie Robertson's concept album Storyville, which is set in the Storyville district of New Orleans around 1910, when it was a safe haven for prostitution and other vices. Music thrived in the area, building on the blues and jazz that was developing in New Orleans.

    In the song, Robertson sings about this time, even mentioning the "House Of The Rising Sun," a brothel in the area made famous in a song.
  • Robertson wrote this with Bruce Hornsby, who also sang backing vocals. Hornsby recorded his own version on his 2003 release Greatest Radio Hits. The lyrics on Hornsby's version are different from Robertson's, except for the chorus. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Justin - Felts Mills, NY
  • New Orleans mainstays Art Neville (organ), Cyril Neville (percussion), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter, Jr. (bass) and Russell Batiste, Jr. (drums) played on this track.

    Members of the Wild Magnolias, a Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans, added vocals.
  • True to form, Robertson recorded this in New Orleans at Kingsway Studio, which was owned by his fellow Canadian, Daniel Lanois. They both were fascinated with American music that came out of places like Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. "I appreciated that he came there and got to work with some of the greats that were still around with us at that time," Lanois told Songfacts. "I appreciated that Robbie and all his knowledge would decide to come to my place and garnish it with all of his research and development."
  • The video begins with a spoken intro:

    "Storyville. A section of New Orleans once dedicated to fast living, hot music, and moon-burnt nights. Man, if these walls could talk."

Comments: 1

  • Jim from Long Beach, CaGreat song by Robbie Robertson. Truly New Orleans! Thanks for the post!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.