Ready? Shift into gear — ready! We were born ready. ‘Cause, baby, we were born lonely, down by the riverside — and you know we ain’t shy.
The Bob Seger System kicks off our week with Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man. This live performance looks like it could be from 1969, shortly after the debut album release. Gotta keep movin’ never gonna slow down!
Original lyrics and song credits, below. Here’s a story for you in a separate post. Enjoy!
Yeah, gonna tell my tale
Come on
Come on
Give a listen‘Cause I was born lonely
Down by the riverside
Learned to spin fortune wheel
And throw diceI was just thirteen
When I had to leave home
Knew I couldn’t stick around
I had to roamAin’t good lookin’
But you know I ain’t shy
Ain’t afraid to look a girl
In the eyeSo if you need some lovin’
And you need it right away
Take a little time out
And maybe I’ll stayBut I got to ramble, ramblin’ man
Gamble, gamblin’ man
Got to, got to ramble, ramblin’ man
I was born a ramblin’ gamblin’ manBring it on, come on now
Here we go, now, now, nowHope you got money
‘Cause you know, need some
Ain’t gonna run on lovin’
I must runGotta keep movin’
Never gonna slow down
You can have your funky world
See ya ’round‘Cause I got to ramble, ramblin’ man
I got to gamble, gamblin’ man
I got to ramble, ramblin’ man
I was born a ramblin’ gamblin’ man
___
[“Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man,” by The Bob Seger System. Written by: Bob Seger. Original release: Tales of Lucy Blue / Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man, 1969.]
The Bob Seger System, original song credits: Bob Seger (guitar, lead vocals, piano, organ); Glenn Frey (guitar (acoustic), vocals); Dan Honaker (bass, vocals); Pep Perrine (drums, vocals); Bob Schultz (organ).
Video posted to youtube by user Ramhead
Well that’s looking back quite a few years.
I remember when we used to call Seger Detroit’s best kept secret. Then when he (deservedly) hit it big, he never lost touch with where he came from. Great performer. Great guy.
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The early footage is good, isn’t it? I’ve heard that he always puts on an excellent show, although I haven’t seen him. I like that Glenn Frey joined in on guitar and vocals for this track. There is so much great musicianship out of Detroit. Maybe there’s something in the water 🙂
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I’ve seen him twice. Excellent shows both times. One time was at Cobo Hall, where his “Live Bullet” album was recorded, although I wasn’t at that specific show. Early in his career, he played at the high school I graduated from. I was far too young to go back then, but everybody still talked about it all the time.
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How amazing would it be to have Bob Seger play at your high school? Cobo Hall must have been quite an experience! Maybe some of this footage will make its way to youtube. Thanks, Mr. FP 🙂
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And to think I saw him in concert when this was his only hit …. thus before he made it big … yep … we was the opening act to the headliner.
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That must have been amazing! I’ve heard he opened for Kiss at one point…did you happen to see that concert?
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I saw him opening Bachman-Turner Overdrive at the Toledo Sports Arena. Being Toledo’s proximity to Detroit, people knew him.
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Interestingly, one of my favorite versions of Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man is by The Guess Who (Randy Bachman’s former band).
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I never heard that version … but hope to find it later … short day online for me today, plus I’m in the midst of Life: The Musical (Act 12). Have you attended any of my musicals? Come over … check it out … you’ll figure it out … and this is an easy act for learning what to do.
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I will have to check it out! Thank you, Frank 🙂
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I only knew of Seger with that wicked full beard. “Turn the Page!” Thanks for showing these artists when they were hungry.
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Thanks, Andrew! He sounds great right out the gate, doesn’t he? It’s kind of amazing that someone so young wrote such enduring hits.
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Like Eric Burdon, Steve Winwood, Ryan Adams… all hungry young men with nothing to lose.
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“Don’t bring me down, oh no…” 🙂 You’re right!
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