What is the song The Weight about?

Question

Ive been listening to the aretha franklin version with Duane Allman on guitar and was wondering is there like a secret meaning to the song

Martin · Accepted Answer

It's not really "about" anything Spence. It's Robertson's attempt (thought I doubt he'd ever admit it) at the sort of surrealist imagery Dylan was writing around that time, inspired by the French symbolist poets like Rimbaud and Verlaine. 

It you want to hear a great version, check out Mavis Staples-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxs_X3u7C-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55aONF7zZDs

longshotsblues · Answer

Not really. Aretha just does it more spiritually with the background singers like a gospel choir. I mean the characters in the song were real life but Helm was from bible belt so he made it bible based. In a way the song was presented as pure soul and then there's Duane's southern sounding slide.

People will say I'm wrong but I remember Jackie De Shannon's version being played first. Why? Think her version also hit higher on the billboard 100 probably because just more well known already having been around from very early 60s and scored some major hits.Especially What the World Needs Now Is Love in 65'.

Thought I would also find the article with the Time cover but have to be a subsciber.  http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19700112,00.html

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,942169,00.html

So the best I could find. 100% defines what the song is about.

http://theband.hiof.no/articles/the_weight_viney.html

~

Curtis B · Answer

"According to Robertson, "The Weight" was inspired by the movies of Spanish filmmaker Luis BuÃ±uel. BuÃ±uel's films are known for their surreal imagery and criticism of organized religion, particularly Catholicism. While the song's lyrics and music invoke vivid imagery and the main character's perspective is influenced by the Bible, the song's episodic story was inspired by the predicaments BuÃ±uel's film characters faced that undermined their goals for maintaining or improving their moral character."  Wikipedia.org

Nazareth is the location, not only because of it's biblical ties, but because at the time Martin guitars were made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  Basically, it's about someone who tries to be a nice guy, and everyone else are taking advantage of him.

Trending News

What is the song The Weight about?

3 Answers