Take The Highway – The Marshall Tucker Band | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#54); 1975
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
When Jimmy Hall of Southern rock band Wet Willie suggested that Toy Factory record a demo, the Spartanburg, South Carolina band included Take The Highway, a long-time favorite from the group’s live set.
Execs at Capricorn Records responded positively and the boys were thrilled. Wet Willie next invited Toy Factory down to Macon to play for the company men. While getting ready for their big gig, one of the band members spotted a key ring on the floor of the building in which they were rehearsing.
Attached was a tag that read “Marshall Tucker,” the name of a blind piano tuner who also rented the space, and now the new name of Toy Factory, as well. In Georgia, the MTB pulled out all the stops and secured the deal.
Opening up their debut album was Take The Highway, originally written as a ballad by guitarist Toy Caldwell, and re-fashioned into a showcase for the Tuckers’ free-spirited blend of rock, jazz, and country.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Paul Hornsby
Lyrics Written by:
- Toy Caldwell
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).