Nils Lofgren - Goin' Back - The Old Grey Whistle Test

Nils Lofgren - Goin' Back - The Old Grey Whistle Test
Nils Lofgren - piano, vocals
Mike Zak - drums
Tom Lofgren-Guitar
Bass-?????
GOIN' BACK by Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Going Back is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1966. It describes the loss of innocence that comes with adulthood along with an attempt, on the part of the singer, to recapture that youthful innocence
I think I'm going back to the things I learned so well in my youth
I think I'm returning to the days when I was young enough to know the truth
Now there are no games to only pass the time
No more electric trains, no more trees to climb
Thinking young and growing older is no sin
And I can play the game of life to win
I can recall a time when I wasn't ashamed to reach out to my best friend
Now I think I've got a lot more than my toys to lend
Now there's much to do than watch my sailboat glide
When every day can be my magic carpet ride
A little bit of courage is all we lack So catch me if you can, I'm going back
A little bit of courage is all we lack So catch me if you can, I'm going back
Going back

[@jeanrobinson835]

Nils is an amazing talent and his work stands as fresh as ever today. Often overlooked, but never bettered.

[@djclay33]

soooo...talented. have seen him up close many times in NYC

[@paulinedemairo4342]

Absolutely! Nils Lofgren is a gifted, great musician. Anyone who holds their own playing with Springsteen and maintains a significant, independent career deserves kudos! This is a fabulous arrangement of Goin' Back.

[@Slamit88]

He SO WASTED his last (25-30) Years of creativity by joining the "E Street Machine" SADLY etc!!.....that stated, he provided us a WONDERFUL "pre-join" Catalog of tracks/performances etc....so, PLEASED to know he (likely!!??) got PAID the LOTS of AMOUNT OF $$$$ that he deserves by doing so really!!....Good on ya then (BRILLIANT) Nils Lofgren!!.....

[@Kevinfordsynthesizers]

I will never tire of the brilliant drummer in this version.

[@ianandrews179]

Aynsley Dunbar I would think

[@Dermot2927]

@@ianandrews179 Mike Zack, RIP...channelling Keith Moon.

[@1234saul]

@@Dermot2927 Mike was my fav Nils' drummer. He played on the Nils' Live Bootleg.

[@mattallan9768]

This was my introduction to Nils, he also played Back it Up on the show. I was blown away, found out he was playing at the Croydon Greyhound that Saturday and so my love affair with his music began. I've seen every tour since and met him on numerous occasions. Lovely fella and one of the world's greatest guitarists.

[@djclay33]

me too....just humble and talented as hell

[@djclay33]

One of a kind and SO humble. A JOY to see live.

[@ronbo11]

Brilliant! Nils is so sadly overlooked but his talents shine through.

[@ronaldpetrin5823]

Abso effen lutely!

[@Atom-56]

Best version of this song I ever heard. Fantastic upload. 👍

[@dorothyturner5941]

Me, about 16 at Ebbet’s Field in Denver, Colorado, with Nils Lofgren’s face smiling at me as he insisted I play his guitar. Ah, memories

[@thomasnatera3388]

A brilliant version by Nils Lofgren. What a talent and lively performance of Goin' Back. Taking a Dusty Springfield song and raising his version to a rousing level, with superb piano playing skills is sheer musical talent. The best I've ever heard.

[@djclay33]

Actually written by Carole King

[@thomasnatera3388]

@@djclay33 thanks for the heads up. I'm aware that it was Carole King's song. What I meant was Dusty Springfield's version of the song she sang. There's a reasonable comparison of piano in both.

[@djclay33]

Yes know, mentioned in the description of the video...thank you

[@bonniesilva5162]

I always associate this song with The Byrds- their version was released in late 1967, but did not make the top 40.

[@davidrothman8173]

Brings me back to my youth. I knew it well.

[@sdushdiu]

Ironically known more for his work backing other major artists than showcased under in his own name - and amazing musician

[@SurfsideRick]

I wore a button on my jean jacket in high school in '75 when Nils looked like this. Still have it. Man! Has it been 40 years already?? Seen him many times going back to the 70s when he was solo and then later with E-Street Band.

[@jesusisking3974]

Rick Lee, Was checking out Nils Loftgren who i hadn't heard for a long time... and came across your comment from 6 years ago which made me check out your channel ....see time fly's past 😩. Anyway I liked your content and found a new singer/guitarist that's interesting....John Fogerty - (Lodi ). Thanks for sharing !

[@SurfsideRick]

@@jesusisking3974 Thank you for your kind note, M C. Glad to see you like Lodi, as well. Coincidentally, the very first album I bought was CCR's Cosmos Factory.. haha I honestly haven't kept up and saved videos to my channel in quite a while. But Lodi is a song I play on my guitar often. In today's world especially, wouldn't it be great to be able to "go back." What a great Carol King song and, while I also like The Byrds' version, there is something about the way Nils plays it. 😊 All the best...

[@jesusisking3974]

@@SurfsideRick Yes it's great to know music can heal the spirit in a World of Madness. My generation of the 1960/70's is a time of a music revolution, guitar masters/lyric masters and Peace Makers. Earth tis just a passing place, So leave your mark on the human race..for the Greater Good I say !

[@SurfsideRick]

You got it, my friend. We are probably the same age (I was born in 1958). I'm almost retired and "downsized" as they say to the beach. Reluctantly, I sold off my 600 LPS and stereo equipment, though I did hold onto my old jukebox and 500 45s of mostly 60s and 70s music! 👍

[@jesusisking3974]

@@SurfsideRick I was born in 1963. My father was a musician/heavy drinker for years....played guitar sometimes in a group...so from a young age I heard his tuning, strumming, repeating and then playing...guitar music was my lullaby. Still is ! Although I can't play...he didn't teach me....girl's don't strum....he'd say ! But I write lyrics . Never send them anywhere just file them. 🤫 shhhh....nobody know's. Yes I loved the easy mood of the late 60's into the 70's listening to American country music/ R&B with my grandad and Uncle Joe....a real off grider....woodsman....caravan in the forest....water from a spring well...no electricity until he made his own generator. Funny how our future lives and likes are defined by our childhood memories and experiences....music always playing a big part. Anyway life takes over in adulthood and you get lost in a haze of reality you don't belong in....then when you find your bearings again you realise you are a lot older..ish !! 😉 But music never ages....the cream always stays at the top ! Regards 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 What I wouldn't give for those times back again.

[@thefilmandmusic]

Love this, also the drummer, solo bass drum ..

[@andrewmoore5044]

The most in-depth cover of all time!

[@gadgerful]

Respect .. Any man playing piano in a black Comono has got it in my books .

[@susie360]

Love, love, love him and his fabulous singing and playing, he's a master!

[@krusty6246]

Another great version

[@rexgeorg7324]

that was magic

[@drstevie]

Nils is brilliant.

[@brianjnolan422]

Do any of you remember a band GRIN from D.C.? That's where Nils Lofgren came from. Check out "Everybody's Missing the Sun" or "White Lies"

[@robinzachary9355]

I loved him before he joined E Street. Yes, white Lies is awesone.

[@henrybutchy3242]

Nils used to hold "open rehearsals" at the psychedeli on Cordell Ave in downtown B-Town...the band could leave their equipment up for sev days and come n go. Fan fuckinbtastic

[@willsmouse8111]

I was there in the beginning in DC!

[@normatible9795]

Amazing multi instrumentalist/singer. Wish he never joined crazy hirse abdxe street band and just sang his way to the world

[@ryanconnole]

Nils was Nils way before Bruce. Never forget.

[@Fenderbender977]

GO NILS

[@peterbaruxis2511]

There's a good video where he's interviewed at his home, among other things, talking about being 18 years old and playing on "After the Gold Rush" album for Neil Young and him telling Neil "I'm not a professional piano player." He seems to have gotten over that.

[@williamrobinson7435]

A good and apposite comment given the "going back" theme of the song. 🌟👍

[@arthurmorris98]

Brilliantly sung, but this song was made for Dusty Springfield..

[@annettemarshall4895]

Such a nice guy - he toured with the Boss and the E Street Band to Australia in 1984 (?) and did a turn on TV for a kid's charity - very laid back.

[@Bluesbabesrv]

Nils is a permanent member of the E Street Band. Love his solo work.

[@annettemarshall4895]

@@Bluesbabesrv He's a great human being - can testify to that

[@toddcuster3557]

this guy could play a tuna fish and it would sound good

[@davidrothman8173]

😆

[@Dermot2927]

You can tuna fish but you can’t tuna piano.

[@davehall3452]

What a tune 👌🎶🎵😜

[@williamrobinson7435]

A, brilliant brilliant musician. I was viewing a video of Dire Straits with Nils doing a PERFECT gtr 2 (electric, diadic Strat with power chords) to 'Private Investigations'.. A fantastic artist. 🎶🌟👍

[@mre7550]

Great song, for me this is the cover by Nils that stands the test of time. Funny that its a song where Nils is playing the piano instead of the guitar

[@annettemarshall4895]

but the version he does with guitar really gets tears in my eyes

[@grannysan]

Amazing!

[@sammyvh11]

I want this song at my funeral.

[@MikeMiheli]

Mike Zack on Drums. RIP.

[@dosanchoas]

he's drivin' the bus -KICKIN' IT in all the right places!!!

[@petercricket]

Love that drumma

[@dafteverton7218]

amazing. fucking amazing.

[@duffgordon9005]

HE TELLS THE STORY OF GOING TO CALIFORNIA, HANGING WITH nEIL yOUNG, WHO THREW SOME PIANO MUSIC AT HIM- AND HE SAID "I CAN BARELY PLAY" oH REALLY nILS? NY SAID, YOU HAVE A FEW DAYS BEFORE STUDIO-

[@blindterrytucci2752]

How is it that Bruce and Nils both covered this song within a year of each other but haven’t played it once together with ESB?

[@jkfan2005]

The lyrics here are like from The Byrds in '67-- "less girl-y" than the Dusty Springfield version of '66. There are other differences too (not so obviously gender-influenced.)

[@djclay33]

Carole King penned

[@wayneblanchard97]

No, no...the lineup names in the caption here are incorrect (I assume they're what appeared on the album this tune is from). That is not Aynsley Dunbar on drums, not Wornell Jones on bass...and Stu Gardner isn't here either (that's Nils' brother Tommy on guitar). Thank you for the post, but a name check is in order.

[@garygall9023]

sooo spot on,,thanks

[@djclay33]

How about some assistance in identifying then? otherwise thx for the post.

[@wayneblanchard97]

I see you found the names. Like you, I don't know who the bassist is.

[@hottiestub6420]

The bassist is Scotty ball

[@johnnycrypto5777]

Mike Zack on drums!

[@andrewmoore5044]

How did carol write a song like this?

[@djclay33]

Talent 😉🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌 I think the crazier thing is her husband writing "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman"!!! Crazy!!!

[@thewayback7]

Carole’s version is much slower and melancholy.

[@thewayback7]

Carole’s version is much slower and melancholy.

[@thewayback7]

Carole’s version is much slower and melancholy.

[@thewayback7]

Carole’s version is much slower and melancholy.

[@whisky2roxy]

Wish he would've stayed solo. But then there is the $$$$.