Robbie Robertson 1943-2023: 12 Songs Showcasing The Master Storyteller At His Best

One could/ practically find almost a dozen great tunes penned by the late great Robbie Robertson (who left us on 8/9/23) from any album from The Band at their peak in the early seventies. Of course, there has been controversy about his stealing the copyrights to songs that could be credited collectively to his colleagues. For example, “W.S. Walcott Medicine Show” seems to trace Levon Helm’s experiences in his native Arkansas.

But let’s put those thoughts aside as Robertson was the unequivocal leader of the group and most responsible for its legendary catalog with songs that remain indelible in our memories. Of course, his melodies, gift with rhymes, and tasty guitar leads framed these songs sung by either Levon Helm, Rick Danko, or Richard Manuel.

For a Canadian to paint such succinct and mythical stories of the American South is mind-boggling. There may never have been a better storyteller. Robertson went on to have an erratic but intermittently successful solo career as well. So, it seems almost criminal to pare down to just a mere dozen, but here’s one humble attempt, listed chronologically, the first nine with The Band and the last three solo.

“The Weight” (lead vocalist Levon Helm) – Music from Big Pink – 1968

Maybe the most lasting of all his songs as Mavis Staples sings it at every show even today. Who can forget – “I pulled into Nazareth/Was feeling ’bout half past dead/I just need someplace/Where I can lay my head”

“Caledonia Mission” (lead vocalist Rick Danko) Music from Big Pink – 1968

A very moody piece well suited for Danko who was arguably the most emotive of the three lead singers. It’s about a little issue with the law that dates back a few years. These lyrics are genius:

She reads the leaves and she leads the life/That she learned so well from the old wives/It’s so strange to arrange it, you know I wouldn’t change it/But hear me if you’re near me, can I just rearrange it?

“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (lead vocalist Levon Helm) – The Band – (Brown Album) – 1969

The fall of the Confederacy in one three-minute masterpiece
Back with my wife in Tennessee/When one day she called to me/”Virgil, quick, come see, there goes Robert E.Lee”/Now I don’t mind choppin’ wood/And I don’t care if the money’s no good/Ya take what ya need and ya leave the rest/But they should never have taken the very best

“Up on Cripple Creek” (lead vocalist Levon Helm)– The Band – (Brown Album) – 1969

Typically a concert or at least a set opener, (i.e. It opens The Last Waltz) and arguably one of the best live show openers ever. Who can ever forget Levon singing this verse?

I took up all of my winnings/And I gave my little Bessie half/And she tore it up and threw it in my face/Just for a laugh/Now there’s one thing in the whole wide world/I sure would like to see/That’s when that little love of mine/Dips her doughnut in my tea

“The Unfaithful Servant” (lead vocalist Rick Danko) The Band – (Brown Album) – 1969

Yet another Southern tale about the servant who offended the mistress of the house and is being sent away, accented so effectively in Rick’s’ mournful vocal, which many regard as more sophisticated and nuanced than “It Makes No Difference” which most consider his best.

Goodbye to that country home, so long, lady I have known,/Farewell to my other side, I’d best just take it in stride/Unfaithful servant, you’ll learn to find your place/I can see it in your smile, and, yes, I can see it in your face

“Stage Fright” (lead vocalist Rick Danko) Stage Fright – 1970

Never have those moments of taking to the mic been more effectively expressed and associated with Rick Danko to the point where we can’t imagine anyone else singing it.

I’ve Got Fire Water Right On My Breath/And The Doctor Warned Me I Might Catch A Death/Said, You Can Make It In Your Disguise, Just Never Show The Fear That’s In Your Eyes.

“Acadian Driftwood” (equal parts Helm, Danko, and Manuel on lead vocals) – Northern Lights – Southern Cross – 1975

Here’s one that speaks best to the Canadian ill-timed migration to Louisiana. One of the group’s longest songs and best stories, brought out vividly as the vocalists traded verses –

Fifty under zero when the day became a threat/My clothes were wet/And I was drenched to the bone/Then out ice fishin’, mmm,/ Too much repetition/Make a man want to leave/The only home he’s known

“It Makes No Difference” (lead vocalist Rick Danko)– Northern Lights – Southern Cross – 1975

Another major triumph for Danko, especially as his voice rises and falls in the verse below which segues beautifully into a searing soprano saxophone solo from Garth Hudson.

Without your love I’m nothing at all/Like an empty hall, it’s a lonely fall/Since you’ve gone it’s a losing battle/Stampeding cattle, they rattle the walls

“Ophelia” (lead vocalist Levon Helm) Northern Lights – Southern Cross – 1975

The groove here, especially with the horns as heard on the live album Rock of Ages is just beyond rousing.

Ashes of laughter/The ghost is clear/Why do the best things always disappear/Like Ophelia/Please darken my door

“Somewhere Down the Crazy River”– Robbie Robertson – 1987

This self-titled debut solo album was the first real memorable time we heard Robertson sing in his half-whisper/half-sung raspy voice but his lyrical storytelling gift was still well intact on this single that featured Lam Llans (BoDeans) on backing vocals.

I followed the sound of a jukebox coming from up the levee/All of a sudden, I could hear somebody whistling from right behind me/I turned around, and she said/”Why do you always end up down at Nick’s Cafe?”/I said, “Uh, I don’t know, the wind just kinda pushed me this way”

“Resurrection” – Storyville – 1991

This is a clever autobiographical song with a groove that stands the test of time.

When you grow up on blue highways/And that’s what you call home/All the people would stop and stare/At this orphan of the road/In the beginning they did not believe me/But they believe me now/Tell my mama, tell my papa/I wish they could see me now

“This Is Where I Get Off” – How to Become Clairvoyant – 2011

Just have to include this one as it’s the first time on record that he addresses abandoning the The Band. On his last solo album, Sinematic, he does it again with “Once Were Brothers” but this one (featuring Eric Clapton on guitar) gets the nod.

Walking out on the boys was never the plan/We drifted off course couldn’t strike up the band/We’d been working the graveyard shift, I wonder do you catch my drift/This was trouble in the making, but it’s a risk well worth taking/So just pull over to the side of the road/This is where I get off/This is where I move on