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Little Feat — Willin'
Album: Sailin' Shoes
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2008









Released: 1972
Length: 2:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I been warped by the rain
Driven by the snow
I'm drunk and dirty, don't ya know
And I'm still, oh, I'm still
I'm out on the road late at night
I see my pretty Alice in every headlight
Alice, Dallas Alice

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

And 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 willin', oh, I'm willin'

Now I smuggled some smokes
And folks from Mexico
Baked by the sun
Almost every time I go to Mexico
And I'm willin'

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 then you show me a sign
I'll be willin' to be movin'
Comments (329)add comment
The beautiful and wonderful Linda Ronstadt's version of this is knockout.
Posted 2 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:

I have listened to RP for a long while and I don't think I have ever heard this one played.  Excellent!



Yes, it is nice. I mostly have heard the Waiting For Columbus version. I love the slide or lap steel that is coming through heavy on this one. Some good ol' boys!
Posted 9 months ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah. Man, I need to start truckin.
Posted 9 months ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
Saw this band in Manchester UK in 1976 and they blew everyone away. What a night.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I have listened to RP for a long while and I don't think I have ever heard this one played.  Excellent!
Posted 1 year ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include   

    Tucson, AZ
    Tucumcari, NM
    Tehachapi, CA
    Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)



That's great! Do it!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include   

    Tucson, AZ
    Tucumcari, NM
    Tehachapi, CA
    Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)



I've been through Tonopah many times. It's a good approximately halfway stop on the drive from Reno to Vegas. Passed the Clown Motel every time & still don't have the nerve to stop & go in.
Posted 2 years ago by gevlar    [ Reply ]
Bill must be planning a little vaca....first (Get Your Kicks) On Rt.66 then Willin'
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Takes me back. Love.
Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Thank you so much. Love the early Little Feat! Saw them many times before we lost Lowell.
Posted 2 years ago by wendyleefrancis1    [ Reply ]
Brilliant story 'bout asking someone to help build a bridge.
Only asking for 3 things.
And a sign...
Look and Listen to Linda Ronstadt's take from the early 70's (when I saw her).

Posted 2 years ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
see...there you go
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Just be sure to take the backroads!  (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town.  LLRP!!


Didn't Jackson Browne write that one?
Posted 3 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
what a great song

crank it 

get on the road
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 bokey wrote:
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote: I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm sure if Linda ever had any questions about the lyrics all she had to do was ask since they were, umm, friends. She performed it with him live at least once that I know of. Probably more like a gazillion times in private.

I was referring to the sanitizing of the lyrics.  
Posted 3 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Having been from Tuscon to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah as well as Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo and Blair (and many points further afield), I heart this song.

"I've Been Everywhere" Johnny Cash
Posted 3 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include   

    Tucson, AZ
    Tucumcari, NM
    Tehachapi, CA
    Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)

Been there.

Posted 3 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Just be sure to take the backroads!  (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town.  LLRP!!
 
Let us not forget about the great songwriter Jackson Browne, who penned "Take It Easy", and was generous enough to gift that wonderful song to The Eagles, at a time when both they and Jackson were unknowns. It became The Eagles first hit song, and put them on the road to superstardom. Jackson was not far behind with his first hit, "Doctor My Eyes", from his first album, the eponymous "Jackson Browne". His second album, "For Everyman", made Jackson a big star, and included his version of "Take It Easy".
Posted 3 years ago by rednred    [ Reply ]
I will never get tired of this song <3
Posted 3 years ago by dopeonaropesoap    [ Reply ]
I see what you did there Bill.  Rt. 66 to Willin'.  Tonopah is a little out of the way, though.
Posted 3 years ago by trailhead    [ Reply ]
A perfect gem.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Probably my favourite song by my favourite band. Definitely a 10.
Posted 3 years ago by wendyleefrancis1    [ Reply ]
I also enjoy Linda Rondstadt's rendition. 
Posted 3 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
Love this tune. Been there, done that and more. Long haul trucking, all 48 states and Canada with my wife and 2 Siamese cats. A truly great adventure.   
Posted 4 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 HeyAbbott wrote:
It is Godlike isn't it?
 
36 of my 2967 ratings are a 10. This is one of them. 
Posted 4 years ago by jamesbowne907    [ Reply ]
we liked truckers- they picked us all the time when we were hitchhiking
 thewiseking wrote:
A perfect Trucker Song which somehow crossed over to us 70s Stoners
 

Posted 4 years ago by mmartinwhite1938    [ Reply ]
That sounded just right. Go figure. Guess we're all just longhauling it now. 
Posted 4 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include   

    Tucson, AZ
    Tucumcari, NM
    Tehachapi, CA
    Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
 
Just be sure to take the backroads!  (you can also drive through Winslow AZ and get take a pic of the RnR HoF plauque erected courtesy of the Eagles' song featuring the corner in that little interstate town.  LLRP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
One of these days, I'm going to embark on the Little Feat Alliterative Tour of the Southwestern US: Stops include   

    Tucson, AZ
    Tucumcari, NM
    Tehachapi, CA
    Tonopah, NV (and the famous Clown Hotel)
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
A great song. However, it was released (as part of the Sailin' Shoes album) in 1972, not 1987. 
Posted 5 years ago by carrigman    [ Reply ]
uhg!
Posted 5 years ago by michaeltoschi    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
 
 
 Yep Bill, One that we were lucky to have been alive through
Posted 5 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Superb
Posted 5 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
A perfect Trucker Song which somehow crossed over to us 70s Stoners
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Dig the heck outa the lyrics.  
Posted 5 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
LOL.  How can the original be considered cliche and tired?


DocStrangelove wrote:
cliches
and
tired riffs
 

Posted 5 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
Music that is soulful and a legendary singer = Great song!
 
awesome lyrics
and
great riffs
Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Music that’s out of tune and I guy that can’t sing to save his life = one horrible song
Posted 6 years ago by orthomd    [ Reply ]
 primm wrote:
sailin shoes one their early and best great stuff !

 
My favorite also. 
Posted 6 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
my old feet loves Little Feat.
Posted 7 years ago by rocksaltandnails    [ Reply ]
More FEAT, RP
Posted 7 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
Grandma would go to Tucumcari and Truth Or Consequences back in the 70's not sure what they did there?
Posted 7 years ago by zerosomething    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Was surprised to learn recently that Lowell George was in Frank Zappa's band. 

 
And this was the song that got him fired by Zappa....either for the drug reference, because it was too good...or both.
Posted 7 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
A great truck driving song
Posted 7 years ago by Hey_Porter    [ Reply ]
 Laowai wrote:
Fantastic song. I think that much of the random shit that has occurred in my life and somehow all worked out well is best explained by the words: "And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcareeeee, Tahachipi to Tonapaha'a ah'."
 

 
And my head stove in but I'm still on my feet.

 
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
In high school a friend of mine drove tractor trailer log trucks for his dad in the summer.  One night this came on the radio while we was putting on a buzz.  He had never heard it so I turned it up and sang along.  I think he sang that song for week after that night.
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
Was surprised to learn recently that Lowell George was in Frank Zappa's band. 
Posted 7 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
?
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 mgkiwi wrote:
Is that the same Alice that did Dallas?

 
Pretty sure that was Debbie.
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).

 
You got me to go listen to Ry Cooder's version — nice. Thanks for that. I also discovered there's a whole bunch of covers out there by a variety of artists. Heck, Steve Earl gave it a mandolin and a slower pace... great stuff, great song.
Posted 8 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
Is that the same Alice that did Dallas?
Posted 8 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
This song has been covered BY EVERYBODY!  

Most of 'em are pretty good, but it's still nice to hear the orig. now and then.
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
All of the drugs could not make this cool.
Posted 8 years ago by Shmelo    [ Reply ]
 Sunman wrote:
uppers, e.g. cross tops...

 
thanx
i'll stick with the coffee and weed 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
uppers, e.g. cross tops...
Posted 8 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
what does he mean by whites in the line 
give me weed, whites and wine
are whites uppers or the truck White Freightliner? 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
And their album cover art work was top notch!

 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Last night I watched a video of Little Feat, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt play live on the old TV show, Midnight Special".

 
>>>Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico<<<

Probably not as easy to do in 2016 as it was when Lowell George wrote the song 46 YEARS AGO!
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
sailin shoes one their early and best great stuff !
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
Last night I watched a video of Little Feat, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Rait play live on the old TV show, Midnight Special".

Oh my gosh. 

 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Classic!
{#Bounce}
Posted 8 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).

 
Littlefeatalbum.jpg
Posted 9 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
I log on to RP and miss a great song from a great group...damn. RP always plays wonderful sets.
Posted 9 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs of all time. Right up there with the Weight. Stops me dead in my tracks whenever I hear it.
Posted 9 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to move an underwater oil rig...
Posted 9 years ago by Bryonics    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.

 https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv

 
Longer if you take the back roads so you don't get weighed. {#Motor}
Posted 9 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]


Where's Linda Ronstadt when you need her?
Posted 9 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
     LG was a great song-smith, and Little Feat became a great band.  And they can still get it done today - 45 years later! Also Kenny Gradney...one of the funkiest bass players ever.  
     But the best version of 'Willin'?  SEATRAIN (1970) - it's their 2nd album and the opening song on side one. Comes at you like a bullet - check it out. Fantastic version. Also 13 Questions, Orange Blossom Special, and my favorite Song of Job.
g 
Posted 9 years ago by below72    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.

 https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv

 

Yeah, but Tucson to Tucumcari is almost 600 miles.  Still, not much of a world traveler, but it makes for nice sounding lyrics.


Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.

 https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv

 
That's some nice detective work there, Poindexter.
Posted 9 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Nothing less than 10. Ask anyone who knows anything about music.
Posted 9 years ago by mccuff    [ Reply ]
Fantastic song. I think that much of the random shit that has occurred in my life and somehow all worked out well is best explained by the words: "And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcareeeee, Tahachipi to Tonapaha'a ah'."
 
Posted 9 years ago by Laowai    [ Reply ]
 Tippster wrote:

Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.

 
The demo version that features Ry Cooder (George's hand was in a bandage due to some misadventure) is my favorite. Can't remember what album that's on (someone help me out here).
Posted 10 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
This song is quite literally why Little Feat was founded - Lowell presented it to Zappa when he was one of the Mothers of Invention guitarists and Zappa kicked him out due to his "No Drugs as subject" zero tolerance rule.

Still like the Live version from "Waitin' for Columbus" better.
Posted 10 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Tehachipi to Tonopah is only 300 miles.

 https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-tehachapi-ca-to-tonopah-nv
Posted 10 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

love this incredible song, and this brilliant album...
 

 
Super tune man, it's simply marvelous!  Lazarus Rocks!!!
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 richlister wrote:

Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
 
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked and nobody be bored...  we love this song...

hope life be lively for you right now, richlister...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!
 

 
Yeah, but they're getting bored with you.
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
{#Cool}  takes me back to the 70s, Little Feat in the 70s 
Posted 10 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 cyesp wrote:
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang.  Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.



 
But you miss the harmony... which is really where its at with this tune IMHO.  My favorite version is on waiting for columbus.
Posted 11 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 back_in_the_day wrote:
I can't believe I found the answer to my brother's request "who did that cool version of Willin' we used to listen to?" Its way down in the '05 comments: Sea Train.

 
Yep, I like the Sea Train version better, might have been me posting that.  I liked everything they did.  AND I love some Feat.
Posted 11 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]

love this incredible song, and this brilliant album...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
A beautiful young woman sang a great version of this when I was in university.  Thinking about it still makes my heart pound a bit harder and faster.
Posted 11 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]

Holy smokes this song is awesome...  love it...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 mike_chouinard wrote:
To paraphrase Bonnie Raitt, I miss Lowell George more than I miss being eight years old. A great singer-songwriter and slide player with one of the greatest bands ever behind him.
 
She channels Lowell with her slide work.
Posted 11 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
I don't know about whites....but weed and wine is(uh....was) a hell of a combination.Especially in the 70's
Lowell was a friggin master song writer,guitar player,performer. 
Posted 11 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
Funny story about me & this song.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said

"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"

Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
 
Could be a true possibility, unfortunately......
Posted 12 years ago by pk53    [ Reply ]
 denbear wrote:
I always sing along.
 
me too, can't resist
 
Posted 12 years ago by yanet    [ Reply ]
Funny story about me & this song.
When Linda sang it I always thought she said

"Drivin the back roads so I wouldn't get laid"

Which for a female truck driver makes a lot of sense - staying away from the truck stops and the other truck drivers.
Posted 12 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Another great artist lost.
Posted 12 years ago by narlyman    [ Reply ]
One of my women friends uses the term Dallas Alice all the time.  Cracks me up!
Posted 12 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 rado wrote:
Only thing better is the live version on Waiting for Columbus (one of the all time great live albums, IMHO).

-Ed
 
WFC is one of my desert island discs. Couldn't agree more.

Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
yes, I love the Ry Cooder version too!
 cyesp wrote:
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang.  Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.
 


Posted 13 years ago by cow-cow-boogie    [ Reply ]
It makes me happy to see so many positive comments for this great song!
Posted 13 years ago by cow-cow-boogie    [ Reply ]
I always sing along.
Posted 13 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]
I've always liked the Ry Cooder version on Little Feat's first album better, more raw with mucho twang.  Inspired several failed attempts to learn to play guitar.


Posted 13 years ago by cyesp    [ Reply ]
God I miss those days...
Posted 13 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
It is Godlike isn't it?
Posted 13 years ago by HeyAbbott    [ Reply ]
Love Little feat.  Might want to check that release date???  Early 70's i think.

Posted 13 years ago by GlimmerTwin    [ Reply ]
perhaps already noted earlier in the comments, but I had heard somewhere Lowell wrote this while with the Mothers, and Frank said No to it- why dont you do it yourself? Thus was Little Feat born. Thanks, Frank! and rest in peace.
Posted 13 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
Another gem I never would have heard if it wasn't for RP.  Great song.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
Bill agrees with Tippster
Posted 13 years ago by bill-1956    [ Reply ]
To paraphrase Bonnie Raitt, I miss Lowell George more than I miss being eight years old. A great singer-songwriter and slide player with one of the greatest bands ever behind him.
Posted 13 years ago by mike_chouinard    [ Reply ]
Having been from Tuscon to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonapah as well as Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo and Blair (and many points further afield), I heart this song.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 rabbi_phil wrote:
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice

 
Well done Bill.  Thanks for a great morning...

Posted 13 years ago by p2h2d2    [ Reply ]
Oh yes...
Posted 13 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
8, because the Live version is a 10.
Posted 13 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Is this a Tucson theme?
Posted 13 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
8{#Arrow}9
Posted 13 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 rabbi_phil wrote:
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice

 
  Me too!   and, OMG, to segue to LUCINDA WILLIAMS "Can't Let Go"!!!  Billy Gee's Greatest Segues strikes again!

Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
YES!  You hit it this morning Bill nice work.  Great Tune
Posted 13 years ago by gjones    [ Reply ]
Love the segue from 'Key to the Highway' to 'West Texas Highway' to this. Very nice

Posted 13 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
Must be one heck of a route..."Should I tell him about the bats?  No, the poor bastard will see them soon enough." 
Posted 13 years ago by p2h2d2    [ Reply ]
Yay, a song about stoned, coked up, & drunken truckers. well, it's more fun if you don't think about the lyrics while driving on the highway...
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Only thing better is the live version on Waiting for Columbus (one of the all time great live albums, IMHO).

-Ed
Posted 13 years ago by rado    [ Reply ]
I can't believe I found the answer to my brother's request "who did that cool version of Willin' we used to listen to?" Its way down in the '05 comments: Sea Train.
Posted 13 years ago by back_in_the_day    [ Reply ]
Yes!  More Little Feat is better...  bumper stickers should be issued.

Dylan was doing a great cover of this one a few years back..  well, maybe a bit more than a few now but still.  GREAT stuff.

{#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
 azdcryan wrote:

damn right they do. . . love LF but the Crowes' version *smokes* this one

 
A mediocre guitar player and a mediocre singer do not one Lowell George maketh.

 In some cases one is better than 2.


Posted 13 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Simply perfect.
Posted 14 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]