Lonesome Suzie is a 1968 song by The Band written and sung by Richard Manuel originally appearing on their influential debut album '' Music From Big Pink'' It was also released on Across The Great Divide, a compilation box set from 1994. Drummer Levon Helm has said that "...Lonesome Suzie was Richard's failed attempt to write a hit record." It never charted and is one of the few songs on which Manuel contributed writing, but is also recognized as one of Manuel's signature pieces. In 1970 it was released as the B-side of the French single release of " Whispering Pines".

Recording

The song features Manuel's soulful vocals complemented by

Robbie Robertson Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson, OC (born July 5, 1943), is a Canadian musician. He is best known for his work as lead guitarist and songwriter for the Band, and for his career as a solo recording artist. With the deaths of Richard Manuel in ...

's simple guitar licks with a subtle backing by the other members. Some of Robertson's guitar licks follow Manuel's lines in a manner similar to Charlie McCoy's work on

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

's " Desolation Row".

Theme

The song follows a seemingly troubled woman who hopes to acquire a friend or lover but struggles in doing so. The narrator offers his support, but is not a suitable match. He says he doesn't belong there, but may know someone who does. The narrator, of course, means himself the entire time eventually asking the woman to be with him in the line "why don't we get together, what else can we do?".

Alternate Version

The 2000 re-issue of Music From Big Pink includes a version of the song with a faster tempo and more

doo wop Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a genre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chica ...

rhythm.

Cover versions

In 1970, it was covered by Blood, Sweat & Tears on their third album Blood, Sweat & Tears 3.

Personnel

* Richard Manuel - lead vocal, piano *

- electric guitar * Garth Hudson - Lowrey organ,

soprano saxophone The soprano saxophone is a higher-register variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument invented in the 1840s. The soprano is the third-smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists (from smallest to largest) of the soprillo, sop ...

Levon Helm Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm (May 26, 1940 – April 19, 2012) was an American musician who achieved fame as the drummer and one of the three lead vocalists for the Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. H ...

- drums * Rick Danko - bass guitar

References

External links

"Lonesome Suzie", complete song lyrics
{{authority control The Band songs Song recordings produced by John Simon (record producer) Songs written by Richard Manuel 1968 songs 1970 singles