Lynyrd Skynyrd — The Ballad Of Curtis Loew
Album: Second HelpingAvg rating:
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Length: 4:47
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Well I used to wake the morning before the rooster crowed
Searching for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Brought 'em down to the corner, down to the country store
Cash 'em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew
Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care
He used to own an old Dobro, used to play it across his knee
I'd give old Curt my money, he'd play all day for me
Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinking money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, them people are the fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
He looked to be sixty, and maybe I was ten
Mama used to whip me but I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time
He'd play me a song or two then take another drink of wine
Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinking money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, them people are the fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
Yes sir
On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray
Ol' preacher said some words, and they chunked him in the glade
But he lived a lifetime playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose
Play me a song Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew
I wish that you was here so everyone would know
People said he was useless, them people all are fools
'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker to ever play the blues
Searching for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Brought 'em down to the corner, down to the country store
Cash 'em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew
Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care
He used to own an old Dobro, used to play it across his knee
I'd give old Curt my money, he'd play all day for me
Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinking money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, them people are the fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
He looked to be sixty, and maybe I was ten
Mama used to whip me but I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time
He'd play me a song or two then take another drink of wine
Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinking money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, them people are the fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
Yes sir
On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray
Ol' preacher said some words, and they chunked him in the glade
But he lived a lifetime playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose
Play me a song Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew
I wish that you was here so everyone would know
People said he was useless, them people all are fools
'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker to ever play the blues
Comments (76)add comment
8 cos of the lyrics 
You always wanted to have a beer in a paper sack with Curtis or a pull on his cheap wine bottle, sweatin' on the rickety landing of some forgotten old country store in the sticks...someone spits some Red Ox twist tabbacky juice over the side...
idiot_wind wrote:
"with a girl named Linda-Loo ..." give em 3 steps son : )
But, but, but I want to cut a rug at place called Jug...it's Friday!
"with a girl named Linda-Loo ..." give em 3 steps son : )
Maybe not quite a zillion, Bill, but I've heard it many times on classic rock radio. Good tune. Thanks for not following it up with a bloody commercial!
Nice to hear one by ol' Lynyrd. That original lineup was a heck of a good band.
teleskialaska wrote:
REPRESENT! 70's Minny!
What town?
I grew up in Minnesota,
REPRESENT! 70's Minny!
What town?
I grew up in Minnesota, and this boy from the north loved Lynyrd Skynyrd; and The Ballad of Curtis Loew, was one of my favorites. It just told a different story from my world. Love the fact RP plays this great song.
"Old preacher said some words and they chucked him in the clay." The words in this song are sad and joyful and true. A great song about the South and probably the best Skynyrd song, IMHO. Thanks, RP, for playing it.
Not played much... If you didn't grow up in Atlanta! This one is still a classic rock staple here. Still, not bad.
Still cracked up by my buddy who moved from here to CA and became a big LS and ABB fan once he got there. I guess he needed to get some distance for perspective.
Still cracked up by my buddy who moved from here to CA and became a big LS and ABB fan once he got there. I guess he needed to get some distance for perspective.
More Lynyrd Skynyrd on the Radio Paradise! Please. 
Ronnie Van Zant was either ahead of his time
or every other 'country' band today is way behind their time
or every other 'country' band today is way behind their time
Little known? Better known? It doesn't matter much, every Lynyrd Skynyrd song sounds pretty much the same.
treatment_bound wrote:
My dad, step-dad, and others I know were actually at their last concert before the plane crash; sadly, I was all of three years old at the time so I wasn't there. Skynyrd was my dad's favorite band and the soundtrack to my childhood. Like the band, my dad and brother also died tragically at an early age; every time I hear one of their songs, I can't help but think of those two.
Yeah—I actually saw L.S. in high school BEFORE the crash. We loved 'em back then...pretty much the soundtrack of my senior year.
And thanks for (as you stated) not playing a song which we've all heard 1000 times since the classic lineup tragically was "broken". The deeper cuts on the early albums are still fun to hear after all these years.
And thanks for (as you stated) not playing a song which we've all heard 1000 times since the classic lineup tragically was "broken". The deeper cuts on the early albums are still fun to hear after all these years.
My dad, step-dad, and others I know were actually at their last concert before the plane crash; sadly, I was all of three years old at the time so I wasn't there. Skynyrd was my dad's favorite band and the soundtrack to my childhood. Like the band, my dad and brother also died tragically at an early age; every time I hear one of their songs, I can't help but think of those two.
This would make a great Movie.
One of my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes from one of their best albums. Awesome!
But, but, but I want to cut a rug at place called Jug...it's Friday!
Yeah--I actually saw L.S. in high school BEFORE the crash. We loved 'em back then...pretty much the soundtrack of my senior year.
And thanks for (as you stated) not playing a song which we've all heard 1000 times since the classic lineup tragically was "broken". The deeper cuts on the early albums are still fun to hear after all these years.
And thanks for (as you stated) not playing a song which we've all heard 1000 times since the classic lineup tragically was "broken". The deeper cuts on the early albums are still fun to hear after all these years.
Good to hear some mighty fine pickin' from the Lynyrd boys too. Thanks for keeping it alive Bill.
Saw Phish play this at Orange Beach, Alabama a couple of weeks ago. Those Southerners sure love their Lynyrd; the place went wild. Phish does the song better, though.
Thank you so much for skipping the songs "classic" rock stations have ground to dust and finding one of the last Skynyrd songs I can actually listen to and enjoy!
gjr wrote:
Saw them last spring and they were great. Concerts are fun when you and the audience know a lot of the songs. Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's brother, does a great job. Super fun show.
Info ->
The legacy began some 41 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, and halted for a decade by the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since then, the band tragically lost Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Huey Thomasson, yet Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with original member Gary Rossington joined by Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase.
Not as good as Skynyrd 76 though....
Liked the comment on the video - "we will never be that stoned are that skinny ever again"
i LOVED these guys as a kid (mid '70's).....read somewhere a few years ago that they were still touring despite the death of the last surviving member and the widow was suing them to stop........how does that happen? not the lawsuit, touring after everybody's dead?
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
Saw them last spring and they were great. Concerts are fun when you and the audience know a lot of the songs. Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's brother, does a great job. Super fun show.
Info ->
The legacy began some 41 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, and halted for a decade by the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since then, the band tragically lost Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Huey Thomasson, yet Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with original member Gary Rossington joined by Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase.
Not as good as Skynyrd 76 though....
Liked the comment on the video - "we will never be that stoned are that skinny ever again"
Relayer wrote:
If you like the song, why does it matter who sings it?
I have no use for LS, but this song is not too bad. I think if you told me it was by someone else, I would think it is a great song.
If you like the song, why does it matter who sings it?
gjr wrote:
Zombie Lynyrd Skynyrd
i LOVED these guys as a kid (mid '70's).....read somewhere a few years ago that they were still touring despite the death of the last surviving member and the widow was suing them to stop........how does that happen? not the lawsuit, touring after everybody's dead?
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
Zombie Lynyrd Skynyrd
It's Curtis Loew, y'all!!
I have no use for LS, but this song is not too bad. I think if you told me it was by someone else, I would think it is a great song.
F**k me - Freebird it ain't..... that was rank (IMHO!)
snitramc wrote:
Seeee-ya!
Nope. Sorry. Buh bye.
Seeee-ya!
FREE BIRD
Gotta love Bill's intro on this. 
This woman would be a really bad blind date!
For a Skynyrd song, it wasn't too objectionable... :-)
i LOVED these guys as a kid (mid '70's).....read somewhere a few years ago that they were still touring despite the death of the last surviving member and the widow was suing them to stop........how does that happen? not the lawsuit, touring after everybody's dead?
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
things that make ya go hmmmmmmm.....
I never thought I'd hear Lynyrd Skynyrd on RP. They've got a lot of other great songs too... ie: "Simple Man" Keep it up!
Good tune. Would have been better if they actually showcased a Dobro in this song.
SpamNRice wrote:
Thanks for passin this on SpamNRice! Those were fine fun days, eh? Cheers
Oh the memories... cheap-ass wine and even cheaper dope (What the hell is that in there? A snakeskin...?! Screw it, if you Bogart that joint you'll be fine). These guys were peaking at the same time my youth was and we skipped hand-in-proverbial-hand through a slow, funky, southern haze of hot, humid, lazy St Louis summer days. Ah boys, I miss ya!
Thanks for passin this on SpamNRice! Those were fine fun days, eh? Cheers
Nope. Sorry. Buh bye.
Perhaps my favorite Skynyrd song.
Nearly spit water out my nose when this popped up on the PSD.
I've been loving Phish covering this for the past couple of years - finally hearing the original!
Cynaera wrote:
Sounds goot to me too!
Oh, hot day-am - I love this song. A little bit o' Skynyrd to get my Monday right back on track. Thank you to whoever uploaded this, and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for playing it. Y'all just made my afternoon. 
Sounds goot to me too!
The classic rock radio I grew up with would play this nearly as often as any other Skynyrd song, but it was the only one that never wore out in my ears.
Love it.
Pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd 
LowPhreak wrote:
Amen, bro. The lyrics don't get in the way of the solos......
One of my fave old Skynyrd tunes, and hasn't been played into the ground.
Amen, bro. The lyrics don't get in the way of the solos......
SOS - Technical difficulties. I doubt Lynyrd is supposed to sound like a garbling, badly wobbling CD. Sure doesn't sound like the good ol' boys I know. Ooops!
Bandish. Not a bad thing.
Troutnskibum wrote:
There's humor buried somewhere in there, right?
Good song overall, but basically white-boy pseudo blues. Listenable, but lacks satisfactory level of authenticity.
There's humor buried somewhere in there, right?
Good song overall, but basically white-boy pseudo blues. Listenable, but lacks satisfactory level of authenticity.
Yeah, this was a good one then, and it sure still is...a really good one to remember them by and play from time to time...
h8rhater wrote:
Never sang along to a song with your friends? Maybe you don't have any or perhaps you are clueless.
Um, maybe you don't understand humor.
Never sang along to a song with your friends? Maybe you don't have any or perhaps you are clueless.
One of my fave old Skynyrd tunes, and hasn't been played into the ground.
gypsyman wrote:
Saw the same show! Very VERY good.
Beautiful buried track. Saw them at Waterbury Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT, 1975. (Who didn't?) Opening band - Kansas.
Saw the same show! Very VERY good.
cc_rider wrote:
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Never sang along to a song with your friends? Maybe you don't have any or perhaps you are clueless.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Never sang along to a song with your friends? Maybe you don't have any or perhaps you are clueless.
..............smiling..................
h8rhater wrote:
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Fond memories of countless sing-a-longs. Many of them drunken. 10+
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Fond memories of countless sing-a-longs. Many of them drunken. 10+
sircharles wrote:
I disagree, I think it was great art.
These guys were great at what they did. It may not be great art, but it sounds damn good to this old southern boy!!
I disagree, I think it was great art.
vandal wrote:
YEAH! What THIS guy said!
YEAH! What THIS guy said!
Beautiful buried track. Saw them at Waterbury Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT, 1975. (Who didn't?) Opening band - Kansas.
These guys were great at what they did. It may not be great art, but it sounds damn good to this old southern boy!!
I like me some Skynyrd. 
Good Stuff!
Oh the memories... cheap-ass wine and even cheaper dope (What the hell is that in there? A snakeskin...?! Screw it, if you Bogart that joint you'll be fine). These guys were peaking at the same time my youth was and we skipped hand-in-proverbial-hand through a slow, funky, southern haze of hot, humid, lazy St Louis summer days. Ah boys, I miss ya!
I can't believe no one has posted "FREEBIRD!!!"
Who the hell needs Free Bird?
This is hands down a great song.
This is hands down a great song.
Bear1492 wrote:
I couldn't say it better.
The first note, I knew what it was. The genesis of the song is sorta interesting too, it's not 100% real life but close.
I couldn't say it better.
The first note, I knew what it was. The genesis of the song is sorta interesting too, it's not 100% real life but close.
Oh, hot day-am - I love this song. A little bit o' Skynyrd to get my Monday right back on track. Thank you to whoever uploaded this, and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for playing it. Y'all just made my afternoon.
Great addition to the station, a true classic indeed.
8!
8!Very touching; I've always loved this one.
cc_rider wrote:
I couldn't say it better.
Thank you, Bill.
I couldn't say it better.
Thank you, Bill.
Pretty much proves you know nothing of the band. This song actually stands out quite a bit due to being so different from all the others.