Top 55 Marshall Tucker Band Songs: Southern Rock Anthems for the Soul

There have been some well-known Southern Rock bands over the years, and some of them have gone on to international fame and recognition. Two that immediately come to mind are Lynyrd Skynard and The Allman Brothers Band.

But there have been others who might not have had a huge hit and been internationally recognized. Nevertheless, they have produced some good music. One of those is the Marshall Tucker Band. So, I decided to take a look at the Top 10 Marshall Tucker Band songs.

Not Just South

Southern Rock, Country Rock, or whatever you want to call it overlaps with other genres, and the crossover is often easily achieved. Whilst the idea of it had been around for many years, it only came to prominence in the 60s and, from there, developed into its own sound.

And, it wasn’t just limited to the southern states of America. The genre spread far and wide and became popular just about everywhere that music is played, especially in rural communities.

The Early Days

They were formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1972 and released their first album a year later. They were essentially a Country/Southern Rock band, but they weren’t afraid of experimenting. Some of the music includes elements of Rock and Blues. And you may also find some jazz ideas mixed in at times. That gave them a unique sound that appealed to people.

Tragedy struck early when bass player Tommy Caldwell was killed in a car crash. Since then, they have had to experience the same personnel changes that most bands have to deal with. And by the mid-80s, there were very few of the originals left.

The Name

It isn’t associated with any of the members, rather, it was the name of a blind piano tuner from Columbia, South Carolina. The name was inscribed on the key of a rehearsal room they used and they liked the sound of it and chose it. So, let’s take a look at some of the best Marshall Tucker Band songs they have created over the years.

55 Best Marshall Tucker Band Songs of All Time

1

This Ol’ Cowboy 

Released in 1975, this is a track from their third album, Where We All Belong. It reached #78 on the American chart. It is an interesting song. The title makes you think you can expect a typical Country song. But, musically, nothing could be further from the truth.

The guitar adds plenty, and the bass line would fit most Country songs, but the drummer is giving it something else. The flute also adds a bit of musical depth you might not be expecting. The lyrics are quite typical as a man sits at a railway station waiting for a train to take him home. His lady said goodbye and wants nothing more to do with him.

He sings, “So I don’t want you to think – That you’re the first one – To leave me out here on my own – No this ain’t gonna be the first time – This ol’ cowboy spent the night alone.” This is an early indication that songs from the Marshall Tucker band might not always be what you expect.

2

Dream Lover

Nothing to do with the song with the same title by Bobby Darin. Furthermore, you couldn’t get much further away from it. At the start, you could be forgiven for thinking you might have walked into a room where Keith Moon of The Who was warming up.

It gets more interesting as the band comes in, and it could be the ‘original’ Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green. But then the singer comes in, and you realize neither is true. This is a good slice of Southern Country Blues from a band that could play that style rather well.

It is a song that was taken from their album, Together Forever, from 1978. The single reached #75 in America and #80 in Canada. As I said, good stuff from a band that could play this style of Country Blues/Rock rather well.

3

Hillbilly Band 

A track from their first album released in 1973 simply called The Marshall Tucker Band. It was not released as a single, but the album reached #29 on the American album chart.

There is a saying – “What you see is what you get.” Quite right when you consider the title of this song, it rather says it all. No deep lyrics with this one, it is a full-blown Country song with a little dose of Marshall Tucker rock thrown in.

The song is about a man who wants to do nothing but meet a lady and drink and dance the night away. “Got to get home before the sun goes down – Got to go listen to my favorite sound – It’s a hillbilly fiddle and an old guitar – Cousin Stanley on a corn liquor jar.” But, even with a song such as this, they are still able to add their own sound and style to it.

4

Can’t You See 

Staying with that first album for a track that was also their first single. It reached #108 on the American chart. A very folk music feel starts the song with some nice acoustic guitar work joined by electric guitar overdubs.

It is a song that talks about the feelings you have when you first start to fall in love. How that sometimes you can do nothing else but think about that person. But, it is a song of how you might one day have to deal with it if she leaves.

“Can’t you see, can’t you see? – What that woman, she’s been doin’ to me?” Especially, as the song says, she leaves without even telling you. To this day, “Can’t You See” remains one of the most well-known Marshall Tucker Band songs.

5

Desert Skies 

This is a track taken from the album Carolina Dreams from 1977. One thing that is often a common theme in their songs is home. For them, that means Carolina, or to be more specific, South Carolina. And there are plenty of songs that reference the state this album is named after.

This is what you might call a real “cowboy” song. Even the tempo and its rhythm bring to mind a slow, ponderous ride on a horse. I have included it here because it is an example of a shift in style that they were able to achieve. 

It is a song about having the freedom to do what you want and go where you like. Not getting bogged down in commercialism and a lifestyle you may not be happy with.

6

24 Hours at a Time

This is a track taken from the 1974 album, A New Life, but it was not released as a single. A song about a familiar subject in all music genres, not just Country, about missing someone you want to be with.

This song is more Country than Rock, and the lyrics talk about just getting through a day or 24 hours. The narrator talks about being separated from someone geographically and not being able to see them. Every 24 hours that pass brings the time to see them again closer.

7

Blue Ridge Mountain Sky 

Let’s stay with the 1974 album, A New Life, for this track. Once again, a song that wasn’t released as a single. However, in my opinion, it is a song that is well-written and played. There is a good Country feel about this song with some good fiddle playing and rattling piano.

It is a song that speaks about traveling around, but it also emphasizes a love of home. A sentiment that applies to most, I would think. Wherever we may go in the world, and wherever we are, the thoughts of home are always full of good memories. That is what this song is all about.

8

Fire on the Mountain 

This is a song taken from their 1975 album, Searchin’ For A Rainbow. And became one of the most successful Marshall Tucker Band songs, reaching #38 in America and #81 in Canada. Much more of a Country music influence on this, with some nice pedal steel, an easy tempo, and a tragic story.

The song talks about something that many of us may be familiar with – moving away to better ourselves. It could have two meanings. The first is about those that trekked west from the eastern states in the mid-1800s, searching for their dream. 

It could also apply to the “grass is greener” idea. We always think it is when we look from the outside in. And sometimes, it is, but we may often have to face trials to achieve it.

But for some, it meant freedom from oppression… 

Or, as in the case of this song, in search of gold. It paints a grim picture. “Took my family away from our Carolina home – Had dreams about the west and started to roam – Six long months on a dust-covered trail – They say heaven’s at the end – But so far it’s been hell.”

And, then to the bitter finale, “Now my widow, she weeps by my grave – Tears flow free for her man she couldn’t save – Shot down in cold blood by a gun that carried fame – All for a useless and no good worthless claim.” A story experienced by quite a few in search of something better, I should think.

9

Heard It in a Love Song 

Taken as a single from the 1977 album Carolina Dreams, this is certainly one of the most popular Marshall Tucker Band songs. It was their most successful single chart-wise in America, reaching #14. Also, in Canada, where they were always popular, it reached #5. It was written by guitarist ‘Toy’ Caldwell.

A Country song with a simple but effective flute part. It jogs along at a decent pace with some nice guitar work. The song is about hearing love songs all your life, but until you meet that special someone, you never experience the feelings these songs talk about. Then one day, you meet someone special, and all the words to those songs suddenly make sense.

10

Take The Highway

To finish this list of the Top 10 Marshall Tucker Band songs, we go back to 1973 and their first album, The Marshall Tucker Band. This is a song that many people can relate to. Sometimes, there are days when you have just had enough. This is a song that matches that feeling, you can’t be bothered anymore with whatever it is you have been doing.

This song is what the Southern Country/Rock genre is all about. It has a little bit of everything in it. And you can even hear shades of Lynyrd Skynyrd buried in the arrangement. When someone asks you what Southern Rock is, this is a good song to play them. After all, it’s one of the Marshall Tucker Band’s greatest songs.

11

Ramblin’ by Marshall Tucker

12

This Ol’ Cowboy by Marshall Tucker

13

Heard It in a Love Song by Marshall Tucker

14

Fire on the Mountain by Marshall Tucker

15

Can’t You See by Marshall Tucker

16

In My Own Way by Marshall Tucker

17

Searchin’ for a Rainbow by Marshall Tucker

18

Long Hard Ride by Marshall Tucker

19

Desert Skies by Marshall Tucker

20

24 Hours at a Time by Marshall Tucker

21

Last of the Singing Cowboys by Marshall Tucker

22

Dream Lover by Marshall Tucker

23

Fly Like an Eagle by Marshall Tucker

24

Carolina Dreams by Marshall Tucker

25

Take the Highway by Marshall Tucker

26

I Should Have Never Started Lovin’ You by Marshall Tucker

27

Change Is Gonna Come by Marshall Tucker

28

Stay in the Country by Marshall Tucker

29

Bob Away My Blues by Marshall Tucker

30

Running Like the Wind by Marshall Tucker

31

Silverado by Marshall Tucker

32

Cattle Drive by Marshall Tucker

33

Southern Woman by Marshall Tucker

34

Face Down in the Blues by Marshall Tucker

35

Never Trust a Stranger by Marshall Tucker

36

Dog Eat Dog World by Marshall Tucker

37

It Takes Time by Marshall Tucker

38

Love is a Mystery by Marshall Tucker

39

Melody Ann by Marshall Tucker

40

Homesick by Marshall Tucker

41

Blue Ridge Mountain Sky by Marshall Tucker

42

Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady by Marshall Tucker

43

Don’t Ask Me No Questions by Marshall Tucker

44

You Ain’t Foolin’ Me by Marshall Tucker

45

Walkin’ and Talkin’ by Marshall Tucker

46

I’m a Ramblin’ Man by Marshall Tucker

47

I’ll Be Loving You by Marshall Tucker

48

Life in a Song by Marshall Tucker

49

Sing My Blues by Marshall Tucker

50

Tell It to the Devil by Marshall Tucker

51

Too Stubborn by Marshall Tucker

52

The Time Has Come by Marshall Tucker

53

When You Gonna Wake Up by Marshall Tucker

54

You Don’t Live Forever by Marshall Tucker

55

You Say You Love Me by Marshall Tucker

Need More Amazing Country and Rock Tunes?

Well, check out our thoughts on the Best 90s Country Songs, the Saddest Country Songs about Death, the Best Country Love Songs, the Best 70s Rock Songs, the Best Classic Rock Songs, and the Best 60s Rock Bands for more incredible song selections.

55 Most Popular Marshall Tucker Band Songs – Final Thoughts

Southern Rock can be hard to define. It crosses the borders of Country, Rock, and even Blues, with sometimes a bit of Bluegrass thrown in. The Marshall Tucker Band might not have received the accolades that some did, but as you can hear, they produced some very good stuff.

If you want to hear a bit more, then some of the tracks we have looked at and some we haven’t can be found in their Greatest Hits. Musically, there are far worse ways you can spend your time.

Until next time, happy listening.