About the song
“Can’t You See” is a classic Southern rock song by The Marshall Tucker Band, a group that has been an iconic presence in the rock and country music scenes since the early 1970s. Released as a single in 1973, “Can’t You See” quickly became one of the band’s most beloved and enduring songs. The Marshall Tucker Band, hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, crafted a distinctive sound that blended rock, country, and jazz influences, and “Can’t You See” epitomizes their signature style.
The song was written by Toy Caldwell, the band’s lead guitarist and primary songwriter, whose exceptional talents helped define the group’s musical identity. The track is a part of their debut album, “The Marshall Tucker Band,” which was also released in 1973. This album set the stage for the band’s long and successful career, showcasing their ability to create deeply emotional and melodically rich music.
“Can’t You See” features Caldwell’s soulful vocals and intricate guitar work, accompanied by the band’s signature use of the flute, played by Jerry Eubanks. This unique instrumentation added an extra layer of depth and originality to the song. The heartfelt lyrics of “Can’t You See” speak of a man seeking solace from heartbreak and disappointment, resonating with many listeners’ personal experiences and emotions.
Over the years, “Can’t You See” has achieved significant acclaim, becoming a staple on classic rock radio stations and often featured in various films and television shows. Its timeless appeal has kept it relevant through the decades, and it remains one of the most recognizable and cherished songs in the Southern rock genre. The song has also been covered by numerous artists, further cementing its status as a quintessential American rock anthem.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering The Marshall Tucker Band for the first time, “Can’t You See” is a track that captures the spirit of an era and the timeless themes of love, loss, and longing. It’s a musical journey that continues to touch the hearts of listeners, old and new, with its powerful blend of emotional depth and instrumental virtuosity.
Video
Lyrics
I’m gonna take a freight train
Down at the station, Lord
I don’t care where it goes
Gonna climb a mountain
The highest mountain
I’ll jump off, nobody gonna know
Can’t you see, whoa, can’t you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman, she’s been doin’ to me?
I’m gonna find me a hole in the wall
I’m gonna crawl inside and die
‘Cause my lady, now a mean ol’ woman, Lord
Never told me goodbye
Can’t you see, oh, can’t you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman, Lord, she’s been doin’ to me?
I’ve gone to buy a ticket now, as far as I can
Ain’t a-never coming back
Ride me a southbound, all the way to Georgia now
‘Til the train, it run out of track
Can’t you see, oh, can’t you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman, she’ been doin’ to me?
Oh, dear Lord
Can’t you see, whoa, can’t you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see, whoa, can’t you see
What that woman, she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see (oh, she’s such a crazy lady), can’t you see
What that woman (what that woman) she been doin’ to me?
Can’t you see (Lord, I can’t stand), can’t you see
What that woman (oh), she been doin’ to me
Can’t you see (I’m gonna take a freight train), can’t you see (I’m down at the station, Lord)
What that woman, she been doin’ to me (ain’t never comin’ back, oh boy)
Can’t you see (gonna ride me a southbound, now)
Can’t you see (all the way to Georgia, Lord)
What that woman, she been doin’ to me? (‘Til the train run out of track, oh)