Written by guitarist Robbie Robertson, this song is about the anxiety that comes from performing, and how even though it's a frightening experience, it's also kind of addictive. "There was something fascinating to me of that thing, about that particular dilemma," he told Goldmine. "That part of human nature, you know, that people will put themselves in that position where it scares you half to death, but you just gotta do it! It's very scary and very exciting at the same time. And it was kind of a personal thing for me, as well. I certainly felt a connection to that, and it was just something that I felt like I needed to express."
Band bassist Rick Danko was chosen to sing this. His voice had a tendency to sound somewhat nervous.
Fillmore owner and operator Bill Graham once called this the greatest song about performing ever written.
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