Up on Cripple Creek

"Up on Cripple Creek" is the fifth song on The Band's eponymous second album, The Band. It was released as a single and reached #25 on the Billboard pop chart.^[1] The song seems to refer to Cripple Creek, Colorado, which has been associated with mining lore since a gold rush in the 1890s. "Up on Cripple Creek" was written by Band guitarist and principal songwriter Robbie Robertson, with drummer Levon Helm singing lead vocal.

A live performance of "Up on Cripple Creek" appears in The Band's live concert film The Last Waltz, as well as on the accompanying soundtrack album. In addition, a live version of the song appears on Before the Flood; a live album of The Band's various concerts and shows with Bob Dylan whilst touring together in 1974.

"Up On Cripple Creek" is notable as it is one of the first accounts of a Hohner Clavinet being played with a wah-wah pedal. The riff can be heard after the chorus of the song. The Clavinet, especially in tandem with a wah pedal was a sound that became famous in the early to mid '70s especially in funk music, and continues to be popular to this day.

Covers

• The Oak Ridge Boys do a cover on their album Bobbie Sue.
• Dave Matthews & Friends covered this song during a number of their shows on the tour.
• David Allan Coe has been known to cover this song.
• The Gourds often cover this during an interlude of Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg.

Lyrics

Drawing upon three of The Band's favorite themes, The American South, American folk music, and alcoholism, the song tells the story of a miner who goes to Lake Charles, Louisiana to stay with a local girl who he knows will put him up for free while he blows his money on drinks. Although he admits to having some feelings for his "little Bessie", he uses her hospitality to drink himself to oblivion. At the end of the song, he pushes off once more for greener pastures, although with the stated intention of coming back to his Bessie.

Personnel

• Rick Danko- Bass guitar, backing vocal
• Levon Helm- Lead vocal, drums
• Garth Hudson- Clavinet with wah-wah pedal, Lowrey organ
• Richard Manuel- Piano, backing vocal
• Robbie Robertson- Electric guitar

References