Bob Dylan: Willin’ (Lowell George)

Redirecting to a newer version of this post….

I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow
I’m drunk and dirty don’t ya know, and I’m still, willin’
Out on the road late at night, Seen my pretty Alice in every head light
Alice, Dallas Alice

Lowell Thomas George (April 13, 1945 – June 29, 1979) was an American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the primary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.

  1. Song facts & different versions
  2. Lyrics
  3. Bob Dylan
  4. Bob Dylan versions

Song facts & different versions

From Songfacts:

This originally appeared on Little Feat’s debut album, but the version that has become famous was recorded for the follow-up, Sailin’ Shoes, in 1972. The original version has a faster tempo.

little feat sailin shoes

Guitarist/singer Lowell George wrote this before the group was even formed. The song is about a truck driver in the American southwest who makes some extra cash smuggling cigarettes and transporting illegals across the border from Mexico.

Although the band never had a charting single, this is arguably their best known song.




Little Feat – first version:
Little Feat – second version:
Little Feat – Live 1977 (HQ video):

Linda Ronstadt  – Live 1976

Steve Earle (from the album “Sidetracks”):

Tom Petty – LIVE HD (2013) Hollywood Fonda Theatre

The Byrds (LP: Outtake from the Untitled Sessions)

Dwight Yoakam – live




Lyrics

I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow
I’m drunk and dirty don’t ya know, and I’m still, willin’
Out on the road late at night, Seen my pretty Alice in every head light
Alice, Dallas Alice

I’ve been from Tuscon to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me: weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’, to be movin’

I’ve been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet
Had my head stoved in, but I’m still on my feet and I’m still… Willin’
Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico, and I’m still

And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcari
Tehachapi to Tonapah
Driven every kind of rig that’s ever been made
Driven the back roads so I wouldn’t get weighed
And if you give me: weed, whites, and wine
And you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’, to be movin

Bob Dylan

bob dylan live 1990

Dylan has performed this song 9 times in concert: 1990 (6), 1991 (1), 1992 (2) & 1995 (1).

Here are some of them…. 

Bob Dylan versions

Fair Park Music Hall
Dallas, Texas
6 September 1990

Maybe: Palmer Auditorium
Austin, Texas
9 September 1990

Paramount Performing Arts Center , Springfield, MA – October 12, 1990




Beacon Theater, New York, October 17, 1990
-> Click to open in youtube

Check out:

-Egil

5 thoughts on “Bob Dylan: Willin’ (Lowell George)”

  1. I have always loved this song, especially the first version. Dylan does a great job in the different recordings. Petty too.
    Thanks for this.

  2. The versions listed as “Probably) Palmer Auditorium,Austin, Texas – September 9, 1990” is NOT the 1990 version of Sept. 9th 1990. Apparently the youtube upload is from a bootleg cd, where the bootlegger adds an interrogation mark to the date and location. This is actually the 1995 Fort Lauderdale version, also uploaded here. It is exactly the same version, but either from a different source or the same but digitally enhanced tape. So the same performance is uploaded here twice. It is clearly the 1993-1996 band playing, with Winston Watson on drums, JJ Jackson on guitar and, most prominently Bucky Baxter on steel guitar. Baxter’s contribution is overall in this arrangement. Bob’s 1990 band did not include steel guitar.

  3. I really appreciate hearing so many people singing the same song. At different places , times of
    THIER lives and different in mine . I can hear how each Artist makes it say something a little
    Differently. I can hear how they feel about the lyrics. Thanks for all the time it takes to do this. It may be
    easy for others but it’s not for me ,so thanks. For sharing!

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