Wasted Words by The Allman Brothers Band

Album: Brothers And Sisters (1973)

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Songfacts®:

Dickey Betts played the bottleneck slide guitar on this song. He usually avoided the instrument because Duane Allman, who died 2 years earlier, was legendary for it.
Gregg Allman wrote this. The song is about a relationship that cannot be saved.
This was one of the last songs bass player Berry Oakley played on. He died in a motorcycle accident on November 11, 1972.

Comments: 14

Jomama from ColoradoOlder brother buy 5 years schooled me, on Muscle Shoals Alabama, and the influence on Southern Rock and Roll.
All of the best, Pickett, Franklin, T- Bone Walker, Dicky Betts and Duane Allman. The best R&R ever.
Bruce from IdahoProbably the best guitar work Dickey ever did. Most of his stuff is too Country for me.
T. Goodwin from Macon , Ga.The song was written as a personal insult. It was received and responded too as such.
Dave from Brighton Ma“All you’ve really got is Yes or No” “All you’re really saying is Yes or No”. Nothing about God or Satan !!
Craig W. Rittel from South KoreaI think the song is a Demon trying to get someone to sell their soul. The Demon makes some offers of rewards but the person isn't having it. It's like other songs written by Greg Allman where demonic forces are mentioned or hinted at which are many. Guys please don't stone me, it's just my opinion and the lyrics seem to back it up.
Vee from Virginia BeachI love all their songs. RIP Gregg
Richard from Winston Salem, NcNowhere close to the ABB's best song. Lyrically, it's rubbish, and musically the band falls far short of Jessica, Ramblin' Man and even some of the lesser tracks of Brothers and Sisters. It begins questioning the existence of God and Satan and resolves by telling an old flame that it's over. How one thing is related to the other is not apparent: perhaps this woman was a Bible thumper who quoted scripture when Gregg misbehaved? No telling. Dicky had a lot of courage playing slide, and does quite well within the shoddy framework he was given to flesh out, but he could have chosen a MUCH better song to debut his prowess
Vince from Lantana, Fl"Decline a bit"Barry are you nuts,This is an awesome song....Dickey you rock....I love this song next to Blue Sky........Vinny
Asclepias from Jefferson City, Mo"...are you really God, yes or no?"

"...are you really Satan, yes or no?"

Past girl friends - I don't think so.

"...watch it on TV."
Willy from Winchester, MaI think this song is written from a guys persepective leaving a message for a past girl friend. She seems to have accused him of something, and is now bothering him by asking him questions, and telling his to be good. He's saying sorry I don't know how to be good, and he's also insulting her with the take the elavator don't crawl part, like she wouldn't move fast enough in their relationship. He's saying he's not going to change and her efforts are pointless, so she might as well give up and go home. Then at the end he reaffirms that fact that this song is a message to her.
Barry from New York, NyThis is a catchy tune but somehow it seems that is's far from Gregg Allman's best song. By 1972 the quality of the records seemed to decline a bit.
Jimmy from Troy, NyThe bottleneck is exactly what it sounds like, and it's used as a slide. It's an accessory, like a capo or whammy bar.
Barry from New York, NyThis song was used as a show opener from 12/72 to 1974. After a long retirement, the ABB broke this out a the Beacon in 2003.
Aaron from New Glasgow, Canada"bottleneck slide guitar" is a style of guitar playing, not an actual instrument.

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