Feats Don't Fail Me Now

Album: Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Feet don't fail me now" is an expression said to encourage oneself in a crucial moment. It was apt for Little Feat, who were on their last legs with the label, Warner Bros., and needed to sell some albums to stay afloat. It was so bad that after their third album, Dixie Chicken (1973), they split off to do session work to stay afloat. They were outstanding musicians, so this work came easily: group leader Lowell George played guitar on Robert Palmer's Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley album (1974); keyboard player Bill Payne toured with The Doobie Brothers; and Sam Clayton (percussion), Paul Barrère (guitar) and Kenny Gradney (bass) went to work for the reggae star Johnny Nash.

    They reconvened after their manager found them a studio at a bargain-basement price: Blue Seas Recording Studio outside of Baltimore. They were pleasantly surprised by the studio quality and got the album done efficiently. "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" was chosen for the title, and it really did get them back on their feet when the album exceeded expectations.
  • This was written by band members Lowell George and Paul Barrère, along with their songwriting associate, Martin Kibbee. George sang lead.
  • Like many Little Feat songs, this one is about a traveler; a truck driver rolling on through the night. It's similar lyrically to their most famous song, "Willin'," which is also about a trucker.
  • In some places, the song title is listed as "Feets Don't Fail Me Now," including on the vinyl album.
  • Lowell George's daughter, Inara George, was born on July 4, 1974, not long after they recorded the album. Lowell enjoyed his time recording in Maryland so much that he made "Maryland" her middle name. Inara got her dad's musical genes and grew up to be a singer.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.