“The Weight” off The Band‘s 1968 album, Music From Big Pink has become the favored cover tune for every flavor and sector of Americana rock. Something in the loping, star-spangled bounce of the tune gives voice, meter and harmony to subtle, reassuring myths of rural America and has found appeal, not just in the land of the free, but across the world. Written by Canadian Robbie Robertson, the tune is a fanciful, troubadour’s retelling of a trip to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, home of the CF Martin Guitar Co. According to Levon Helm, the Band’s drummer and vocalist, personalities mentioned in the song– Annie, Crazy Chester, Luke, Carmen and the Devil etc.– were based on friends of the group. Here’s a fantastic article about the song, and here’s a great interview with Levon Helm from 1998.
The above version by Panic at the Disco is nice enough, and I do enjoy the young singer’s earnestness, but Weezer, however, finds a groove on their version. For freshness sake, I gotta go with Rivers Cuomo‘s band on this one.
Even in the 60s, “The Weight” was a popular cover. Diana Ross and the Supremes with The Temptations did a version on their “Together” album, as did Aretha Franklin and Jackie Deshannon. Aretha’s version had more success on the charts than did the original by The Band.
And of course The Band did an excellent version with The Staples Singers on “The Last Waltz.”
Even The Band’s studio version continues to thrill.
Other notable (sort of ) versions to hit the net:
Elvis Costello’s Spectacle, including Richard Thompson, Nick Lowe and Levon Helm
Gillian Welch with Old Crow Medicine Show
Blond (Swedish band of the 60s)
Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers
Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White – It might get loud
