Of all the songs from the The Last Waltz concert, Stage Fright was always the one that captivated my musical sensibilities the most. It’s such an unusual song and I mean that in the best possible way. As the title suggests, The Band drummer Levon Helm has written that the song is about “the terror of performing.”
Rick Danko’s vocal style is both raw and tender and fits the song’s themes of anxiety and self-doubt. His voice sounds like a man on the edge, wrestling with the pressures of fame and expectation. It’s not flawless but it is powerful and drenched in emotion and as a viewer you feel drawn to his plight. Originally Robertson intended it to be sung by Richard Manuel but it became clear that the song was better suited to Danko’s “nervous, tremulous voice.” Helm regarded the song as a “showpiece” for lead singer and bassist Rick Danko particularly in the use of a fretless bass, which according to Helm “gave the rhythm section a different feel.”
Also musically The Band brings a sense of tension and release that mirrors the song’s exploration of these themes, all while providing the perfect backdrop for Rick Danko’s vocals. Right from the opening notes, Garth Hudson’s swirling organ sets a nervous, almost restless atmosphere. Robbie Robertson’s guitar work is sharp yet restrained, with biting riffs that reflect the jittery edge of someone trying to keep it together under pressure.
Apart from the legendary The Last Waltz concert as seen below, a live performance of Stage Fright appears on Before the Flood, a live album of The Band’s 1974 tour with Bob Dylan which was my first ever Bob Dylan purchase. The song was originally released in 1971 as a single in Denmark of all places. It was re-released as the B-side of Dylan’s Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) single in 1974.
[Verse 1]
Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame
Since that day he ain’t been the same
[Chorus]
See the man with the stage fright
Just standin’ up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again
[Verse 2]
I’ve got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death
Said, “You can make it in your disguise
Just never show the fear that’s in your eyes”
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Now if he says that he’s afraid
Take him at his word
And for the price that the poor boy has paid
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh
[Verse 4]
Your brow is sweatin’ and your mouth gets dry
Fancy people go driftin’ by
The moment of truth is right at hand
Just one more nightmare you can stand
[Chorus]
[Outro]
Hmm hmm
You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm
Please, don’t make him stop, hmm hmm
Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm
Let him start all over again
References:
1. Stage Fright (The Band Song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
The greatest star filled concert to me that ever was….this one had soul. Love Stage Fright and Danko… the best Americana band ever by a bunch of Canadians and one American.
Too right Max. When I revisit it, I am still in awe of The Band’s musicianship. It’s certainly one of, if not the greatest musical accomplishments I have seen. The Music world certainly owes Martin Scorsese a lot of gratitude that he recorded it and in such fine quality too.
Usually these things (star filled events) are soft and sometimes boring…but this was a real concert. I’m so glad he recorded it…he has been getting a lot into the music area again in the past few years…the Dylan stuff, George Harrison, and now a new Beatles one at the end of the month.
I think I’ve never seen a better music concert captured. How Robertson remembered so much and with gritty riffs and solos for all of those songs never ceases to amaze me.
Yes, Scorsese’s legacy capturing these artists will be / is monumental. The Beatles will be another from Peter Jackson?
The precise work they put into that concert was over the top crazy that no one would do today. Everything came off flawlessly.
Yeh, it was perfection as far as Americana music and folk-rock is concerned. Despite almost all band members being from Canada as you said.
If it hadn’t been recorded you have to wonder how that would have affected The Band’s legacy. That’s a scary thought.
I think I know what you will be doing come Thanksgiving lol
This and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles are a tradition here.
I love that movie.
Great song, which wasn’t on my radar screen. It’s been many years since I saw the movie or listened to the soundtrack.
I also love “Before the Flood” but didn’t remember “Stage Fright” is on there as well.
I made the foolish mistake to listen to “Before the Flood” back and forth to “prepare” for my only Dylan concert to date in the second half of the ‘80s back in Germany – only to be bitterly disappointed since maestro sounded completely different and except for the opener(!) “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” only played songs that were obscure to me!
For many years thereafter, I didn’t want to know anything about Dylan. But eventually I forgave him and now I’m like, ‘don’t think twice, it’s alright’!
I know only too well about your disappointing concert venture to see Dylan. I saw him 5 times and my first time was in Sydney in 98 with Patti Smith opening.
I also didn’t remember Stage Fright on that album and I’m no longer in possession of that record. I just heard it on YT and it’s very similar to the Last Waltz version.
Danko is one of my favorite vocalists and this love cut does nothing to diminish that.