| "Look Out Cleveland" | |
|---|---|
| Song byThe Band | |
| from the albumThe Band | |
| Released | September 22, 1969 |
| Length | 3:09 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Robbie Robertson |
| Producer(s) | John Simon |
"Look Out Cleveland" is the title of the Robbie Robertson-written song onThe Band's self-titled album, also known asThe Brown Album. The song begins with aboogie-woogie blues riff by pianistRichard Manuel followed by lead singerRick Danko warning -- "Look out Cleveland, storm is coming through, And it’s runnin’ right up on you".[citation needed] The song's reference is presumably to Cleveland, Ohio,[1][better source needed] butCleveland, Texas has also been suggested.[2][better source needed]
"Look Out Cleveland" differs from most of the songs on The Band's first two albums in that is more influenced by urbanblues music than by rural music.[3] According to music critic Nick DeRiso,Elton John's early song "Take Me to the Pilot" appears to be influenced by this song.[3]
"Look Out Cleveland" is featured in the movieA Home at the End of the World, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name byMichael Cunningham. In the film, the song is used in a scene where the two main characters (played byColin Farrell andDallas Roberts), are singing along to the song while riding a truck.[4]
The song was covered byAlbert Lee on his album "That's Alright Mama."
Blues artistJackie Greene covered the song forEndless Highway: The Music of The Band, a 2007 tribute album toThe Band.
Phish opened their show atBlossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, on June 12, 2010, with "Look Out Cleveland".[5]
Charlie Robison covered the song on his 2013 album "High Life".
The Cold Irons, a band in Austin, Texas, have played “Look Out Cleveland” at every gig they have played since they formed in 2011.
Goose covered it on their 2021 live album 2020.10.03 Swanzey, NH.
"Look Out Cleveland," a song by The Band about a storm bearing down on "The Mistake by the Lake"...
Because the song refers to Houston in the chorus, we can safely assume that the Cleveland in the song is not the one in Ohio, but rather the town northeast of the big city of the Lone Star State