Song "The Weight"

A

Accumulator

Well-known member
Many people know this song as recorded by The Band, but before *they* did it my wife had a 45 of it performed by somebody else featuring a female vocalist. The 45 disappeared after she moved out of her parents' house, but there's no question she *did* have this recording.



Anybody know who it was, what band backed her, anything at all about this?
 
SilverBelle04- Thanks! I just knew I could get a response here at Autopia. That date of Aretha's cover sounds off for what I'm looking for, but I'll run it past Accumulatorette and see what she says.



Open to any other suggestions!
 
From http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=420





The Supremes, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and Jackie DeShannon all covered this. Franklin's version was the biggest hit, reaching #19 US in 1969. It has also been covered by: A Group Called Smith, The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Joan Osborne, Keller Williams, King Curtis & Duane Allman, Otis & Travis, Rotary Connection, Spooky Tooth, and The Ventures. (thanks, monica - grapeville, PA)
 
Yeah, that's great. That link is gonna come in handy! Great info about the song in question, that's for sure.



So far I don't think we've found the one she's looking for though. It was a "nobody" whose name wouldn't ring a bell (and Accumulatorette knows her music from this era pretty well, it's the "music of her life" if you know what I mean). She described the singer as "somebody you've never heard of, otherwise I'd remember". She actually heard this version (and bought the 45) before she ever even *heard* The Band's original version, and it was right around the time that the song was written.



:nixweiss If it were anybody except my wife I'd probably think they were just mixed up, but I'm certain that's not the case here. She remembers every detail of the whole thing except the person's name.
 
You folks are great :xyxthumbs



I'd forgotten about the Easy Rider Soundtrack version being by Smith (heh heh, tells you about the state of mind I was in when listening to *that* LP :o ) and that very well might be it, especially given the female vocalist. I'll report to Accumulatorette...
 
Accumulator said:
You folks are great :xyxthumbs



I'd forgotten about the Easy Rider Soundtrack version being by Smith (heh heh, tells you about the state of mind I was in when listening to *that* LP :o ) and that very well might be it, especially given the female vocalist. I'll report to Accumulatorette...
Click to expand...



Let us know if Accumulatorette gives it the thumbs up !
 
Well, she's giving it a "definite maybe" :D She'd thought she got the 45 earlier than that but it's so close she can't say for sure. So I'm guessing it just might be the answer.



Thanks again for all the help.
 
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