Ballad of Curtis Loew
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Well, I used to wake the mornin' Before the rooster crowed Searchin' 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 'cross 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 drinkin' money Tune up your Dobro People said he was useless Them people all were 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 whoop me But I'd go see him again I'd clap my hands, stomp my feet 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 drinkin' money Tune up your Dobro People said he was useless Them people all were 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 clay Well, 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 were fools 'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker To ever play the blues
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Details"The Ballad of Curtis Loew" is a song by the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from their second album, "Second Helping" released in 1974.
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Song InspirationThe song is a tribute to a fictitious character named Curtis Loew. It was reportedly inspired by real-life characters known by the band members during their youth.
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SongwritersThe song was written by band members Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins.
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Character Origin"Curtis Loew" was supposedly a combination of two real people: Curtis, a local junkman in the band's hometown of Jacksonville, Florida and Loew, a tribute to Loew's Theatre, where the young band members used to sneak in to see blues artists perform.
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Music StyleThe song is known for its combination of Southern rock with blues influences, a hallmark of Lynyrd Skynyrd's music style.
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Song MeaningThe lyrics tell the story of a boy who would skip school and pay an old blues musician named Curtis Loew to play him songs. He considered the music a more valuable learning experience than school.
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PopularityDespite never being released as a single, "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" has become one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most popular songs, often played in live shows and covered by other artists.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by various artists, including country singer Eric Church, whose version reached the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2014.
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Notable Live Performances"The Ballad of Curtis Loew" was performed as a tribute to the late Ronnie Van Zant during the band's Lynyrd Skynyrd & Friends: Lynyrd Skynyrd One More for the Fans tribute show in 2014.
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ReceptionOver the years, "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" has been praised by fans and critics alike for its storytelling, musicality, and affectionate portrayal of the Southern Blues tradition. It's often hailed as a classic representation of Lynyrd Skynyrd's unique blend of rock and country music.
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"Ballad of Curtis Loew Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/12790922/Lynyrd+Skynyrd/Ballad+of+Curtis+Loew>.
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