#55 The Band by The Band

The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time

2025 Album Rank

55

2011 Album Rank

55

Total Points

1026

Year Released

1969

Billboard 200 Chart Peak

9

Weeks at #1

N/A

RIAA Sales Certification

1,000,000 (Platinum)

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The Band Album Details

Released in September 1969, The Band was the self-titled second album from the Canadian-American group and remains one of the most influential and enduring works in rock history. Sometimes referred to as "The Brown Album" due to its sepia-toned cover, the record weaves tales of American history, myth, and rural life into a rootsy, communal sound that helped shape the emerging genre of Americana. Steeped in folk, gospel, country, and blues, The Band offered a radically different vision of rock music organic, restrained, and timeless.

Songs like The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek, and King Harvest (Has Surely Come) explore themes of defeat, redemption, and working-class struggle. With three lead singers, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel, and layered instrumentation including accordion, clavinet, and fiddle, the album has a distinctively old-world sound. The Band was not only critically acclaimed but served as a major influence on artists from Elton John to Eric Clapton to George Harrison.

Interesting Facts about The Band

• The album was mostly recorded in a pool house in the Hollywood Hills that was converted into a studio, allowing for a relaxed, communal atmosphere away from the industry spotlight.
• The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was written by Robbie Robertson but sung with deep conviction by Levon Helm, the only American member of the group. Helm reportedly resented not receiving co-writing credit for his contributions.
• Jawbone features unusual time signature changes and one of Richard Manuel's most theatrical vocal performances. It is one of the album's more musically complex tracks.
• Rockin' Chair was inspired by old sea shanties and was one of the few songs that made Richard Manuel laugh while recording, he reportedly found the line "I may be old but I ain't done in" hilarious.
• King Harvest (Has Surely Come) was the last song recorded for the album and features all five members playing live in one take. Its working-class narrative and apocalyptic tone close the album on a haunting note.
• Unlike Music from Big Pink, which was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, The Band features all original compositions. Dylan did contribute to the album artwork, however, providing the back cover illustration.
• The album's sepia-toned photo was taken by Elliott Landy and deliberately evoked 19th-century Americana, reinforcing the group's connection to the past.
• Despite being recorded in California, the album's lyrics and instrumentation reflect a fascination with Southern U.S. culture and imagery, which stirred both acclaim and controversy over its depiction of Confederate themes.
• George Harrison cited The Band as a major influence on his solo album All Things Must Pass, and Eric Clapton said it inspired him to break up Cream and seek out more grounded musical roots.
• The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 for its cultural and historical significance.

The Band Tracklist

1. Across the Great Divide
2. Rag Mama Rag
3. The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down
4. When You Awake
5. Up on Cripple Creek - Reached #25 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
6. Whispering Pines
7. Jemima Surrender
8. Rockin' Chair
9. Look Out Cleveland
10. Jawbone
11. The Unfaithful Servant
12. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)

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