Go Back To Your Woods

Album: Storyville (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Go Back To Your Woods" is part of Robbie Robertson's concept album Storyville, which is set in the Storyville district of New Orleans around 1910, when it was a safe haven for prostitution and other vices. Music thrived in the area, building on the blues and jazz that was developing in New Orleans.

    In the song, Robertson sings about this time, even mentioning the "House Of The Rising Sun," a brothel in the area made famous in a song.
  • Robertson wrote this with Bruce Hornsby, who also sang backing vocals. Hornsby recorded his own version on his 2003 release Greatest Radio Hits. The lyrics on Hornsby's version are different from Robertson's, except for the chorus. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Justin - Felts Mills, NY
  • New Orleans mainstays Art Neville (organ), Cyril Neville (percussion), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter, Jr. (bass) and Russell Batiste, Jr. (drums) played on this track.

    Members of the Wild Magnolias, a Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans, added vocals.
  • True to form, Robertson recorded this in New Orleans at Kingsway Studio, which was owned by his fellow Canadian, Daniel Lanois. They both were fascinated with American music that came out of places like Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. "I appreciated that he came there and got to work with some of the greats that were still around with us at that time," Lanois told Songfacts. "I appreciated that Robbie and all his knowledge would decide to come to my place and garnish it with all of his research and development."
  • The video begins with a spoken intro:

    "Storyville. A section of New Orleans once dedicated to fast living, hot music, and moon-burnt nights. Man, if these walls could talk."

Comments: 1

  • Jim from Long Beach, CaGreat song by Robbie Robertson. Truly New Orleans! Thanks for the post!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.