Canned Heat – On the Road Again

Canned Heat – On the Road Again – Live at Woodstock, 1969.

Why do we not have awesome music like this today?

Stepping back in time to the iconic Woodstock festival of 1969, Canned Heat’s live performance of “On the Road Again” is a nostalgic journey that encapsulates the essence of an era defined by peace, love, and revolutionary music. As the opening chords reverberate through the speakers, listeners are instantly transported to a time when the world is changing, and the air is filled with a sense of freedom and possibility.

The bluesy, foot-stomping rhythm of “On the Road Again” comes alive in this Woodstock rendition, showcasing the raw energy and musical prowess of Canned Heat. The live atmosphere adds an extra layer of authenticity to the performance, capturing the essence of the turbulent yet liberating 1960s.

What makes this performance truly special is the way Canned Heat captures the spirit of a generation yearning for change. The extended instrumental breaks and improvisations showcase the band’s musical prowess, allowing the audience to lose themselves in the rhythmic journey. It’s a musical voyage that mirrors the societal shifts and cultural revolutions of the late ’60s.

Canned Heat, a fantastic blues group, emerges as one of the best to come out of the USA. To call them underrated would be an understatement; their brilliance often went unrecognized. There will never be another Woodstock, and Canned Heat played a pivotal role in making it a blues festival like no other.

Listening to Canned Heat at Woodstock is not just about the music; it’s about revisiting a moment in time when the world seemed on the brink of transformation. The fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelic influences in “On the Road Again” mirrors the eclectic spirit of the Woodstock era, making this live rendition a testament to the power of music to transcend time and evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. So, sit back, hit play, and let Canned Heat take you on a captivating trip down memory lane to the groovy and groundbreaking Woodstock of 1969.

Lyrics:
Well, I’m so tired of crying
But I’m out on the road again
I’m on the road again
Well, I’m so tired of crying
But I’m out on the road again
I’m on the road again
I ain’t got no woman
Just to call my special friend

You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn’t have no payroll
Not even no place to go

And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said, “Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son.”

Take a hint from me, mama
Please, don’t you cry no more
Don’t you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please, don’t you cry no more
Don’t you cry no more
‘Cause it’s soon one morning
Down the road I’m going

But I ain’t going down
That long, old, lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain’t going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can’t carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else

Songwriters: Floyd Jones / Alan Wilson
On The Road Again lyrics © Emi Unart Catalog Inc., Embassy Music Corp., Peer International Corporation

Featured Photo by Henry Diltz