Rag Mama Rag by The Band

Album: The Band (1969)

Charted: 16 57

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Songfacts®:

One of the Band's first big European hit singles, "Rag Mama Rag" has some unusual instrumentation. Lead pianist Richard Manuel played drums, drummer Levon Helm played mandolin and sang lead, and bassist Rick Danko played a fiddle. This left the bass spot open on this track, and it was filled by the album's producer, John Simon. He improvised a bassline on tuba, although he had no idea how to play the instrument. >>
Suggestion credit:
Joey - Athens, GA
Robbie Robertson is the only songwriter credited on this track, although other members of the group claim they made contributions. The song finds Levon Helm trying to convince his girl to come back home so she can "rag all over" his house. What he has in mind in unclear: "rag" could mean playing ragtime music (a possibility, considering the line "rosin up the bow"), but he might have more prurient intentions.

Comments: 6

Nanda from Allegheny MountainsWhat I heard for years:
“I ask about your * turn-on *
And you ask about the weather
I can't jump a hurdle and
We can't get together“
Bruce from Michigan 48308Listening to leftover salmon version, very good!
Christy from Morristown, TnIf you want to have a good time and let it all hang out, this is the song for you.
Jackie from Oak Creek, CoI love the line "We could be relaxing, in my sleeping bag" perfect......
Dan from Tinley Park, Ilsousaphone**, i should know, i am a sousaphone player myself!
Tyler from Brantford, CanadaJohn SImon Played this on a Suzaphone, not a tuba. They are very similar though. He did know how to play brass instruments he had just never used a Suzaphone before.

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