Little Feat – Cold, Cold, Cold

This band was one of the most talented bands of the 70s. Well, more like all time in the history of rock and roll. Other musicians would go out of their way to see Little Feat. It’s an honor to put headphones on and listen to them. I’ve been doing that with other songs lately as well, trying to have a different view on my posts. Trying to describe the mood, and with this band, it’s a lot to describe. 

Guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne formed Little Feat in 1969. Lowell George was a member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Bass player of the Mothers, Roy Estrada, joined along with drummer Richie Hayward.

After Lowell George left the Mothers of Invention, he began writing songs that showed blues forms, rhythm, and breathing space rather than so much complexity. This one was designed to feel natural rather than a studio production. What you hear is close to how it sounded in the room. I wish more bands would do this. Lowell George’s voice just melts into this beat. The sync of the drums and keyboards is fantastic!

This song was on the album Sailin’ Shoes, released in 1972. When the song was recorded, producer Ted Templeman kept the song at a reasonable length. The take reflects how the group played the song live at the time, with minimal studio adjustment. Vocals were delivered with feel, and the band avoided overdubs that would alter the structure. 

 This song showed their interest in groove and patience. The song was not meant to stand out on its own. Back in that time, bands made albums, not just individual songs. Everything had to fit and sound good as a whole, transitioning from one song to another. I wrote in another Little Feat post: Only Little Feat could’ve made this record. That sentence fits this album. 

The album didn’t come close to the top 40, but it has grown in stature. This album set the stage. Their next album, Dixie Chicken, would go gold. The lineup had many changes through the years, and unfortunately, Lowell died in 1979 of a heart attack. The band broke up after George’s death but reunited in 1987. The band continues today with Bill Payne still a member.

This is, to me, a pure album band. You don’t just sit through single songs…you listen to the album and get the entire vibe. Below is the album. Put on some of your sailin’ shoes, headphones, and eat some Dixie chicken and groove to Little Feat on this Sunday!

Cold Cold Cold

Cold, cold, coldCold, cold, coldFreezing, it was freezing in that hotelI had no money, my special friend was goneThe TV set was busted so she went alongI called room, room service,I’m down here on my kneesA peach or a pear, or a coconut please,But they was cold

Well it’s been a month since I seen my girlOr a dime to make the call‘Cause it passed me up, or it passed me by,Or I couldn’t decide at allAnd I’m mixed up, I’m so mixed upDon’t you know I’m lonelyAnd I wish the world would get off of my caseAnd get on one of it’s own

Cold, cold, coldCold, cold, coldThat woman was freezing, freezing coldWell I tried everything to warm her upNow I’m living in this cold hotel‘Cause she passed me, up or she passed me by,Or I couldn’t decide at allOh I’m mixed up, yes I’m mixed upDon’t you know I’m lonelyOf all the things I had to doI had to fall in loveYou know she’s cold

Turn your clock back woman when you see me comin’ roundMy feet don’t, feet don’t even touch the groundDon’t be cold, don’t be coldDon’t be cold, don’t be cold

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

44 thoughts on “Little Feat – Cold, Cold, Cold”

  3. Oh my, what a great live version. Sailin’ Shoes is my favorite album of theirs, but they’re all of similar quality. I first heard them in the late 80’s when I worked in a restaurant and we had the classic rock station tuned in all the time. I kept hearing “Dixie Chicken” and “Fat Man In The Bathtub”, and had to check them out further. I wasn’t disappointed. Just a great group. Bill Payne is one of my favorite keyboard players of all time. Great choice today.

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    1. Thank you and thanks for the memory. They were so tight live and in the studio… They were good enough not to do unlimited overdubs. I remember as a kid hearing Dixie Chicken…to a kid that name sticks with you.

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  5. Again, Max, I am blown away by your comments. They have grown closer to the music, more involved in it. It is hard to write about music. You are doing an excellent job transcending the “This is great” level and writing about what strikes you at the moment in this track. My hat, if I wore one, is off to you.

    As for Little Feat, well, I’ve already said I have lived with Lowell’s music since hearing Sailin’ Shoes and love it. In the previous paragraph I stated you are writing about what strikes you at the moment. That’s because, with Little Feat and a few other great pieces of music, what strikes me changes, grows and increases all the time.

    I have always loved “Cold, Cold, Cold.” But your comment about what the band seems to be striving for, The idea that Sailin’ Shoes is one cohesive entity is obvious, but I’d honestly never considered in before.

    I am impressed.

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    1. Thank you for that…I appreciate it. I tried to change the way I do posts now to reflect how the music feels…I’m glad you like it.
      To me…all you have to do with this song is listen to him sing “Cold, Cold, Cold” and it just catches you right away.
      I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comment!

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  7. Pingback: Little Feat – Cold, Cold, Cold – MobsterTiger

  11. ahhhh yes, the Mothers of Invention!!!!!! the Grand Wazoo changed my life….but yes Little Feet were like the standard, and they back up so many, and when George gave Jackson Browne and electric guitar that changed things…..now to get back to the Grateful Dead this morning, Casey Jones sayin’ good bye to Bob

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  12. Ive wore out this comment but it fits, they just keep sounding better. L ots going on for the ear without sounding muddled to me. I guess that’s how good musicians do it. Rough stuff from Feat. I want to hear ‘Warm Warm Warm’ today.

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  13. I liked how Little Feat moved from the early stripped-down version to the more New Orleans funk-inflected version when they added Sam Clayton (who I just learned is the brother of Merry Clayton – best known for her vocal on “Gimme Shelter”) on percussion.

    I know they re-formed after Lowell George’s death, and there are other great musicians in that band, but I just can’t imagine Little Feat without Lowell George’s voice and slide guitar. Since Dave mentioned the Grateful Dead, I have to compare it to that band continuing to perform under that name after Jerry Garcia’s death. They knew better than to do that.

    And for a personal note, my friend Keith Greeninger hired keyboard player Bill Payne for his album “Human Citizen”.

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    1. I’m with you…it’s not the same at all without Lowell George…it’s just not. This is the first time I really focused on his voice…it is fantastic. It is a good comparison with the Dead. You can’t replace those guys….the best you can do is copy them…or try to.

      Wow…now that is hiring a hell of a ringer!

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  14. They had a funky lascivious groove that just keeps rolling, and the vocals are perfect for the feel and the band. No, you can’t replace Lowell. You can try, but if they held auditions whoever got the gig would know they are only ever going to be second best.

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  15. My favorite “Southern Rock” band, although they are actually more California sound, Dixie Land and Memphis soul. I’m not that familiar with their first two albums aside from “Willin'”. I really like the funky vibe of this tune. Lowell George was a genius.

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  16. Way better than Mothers of Invention. Good write up on a band I need to listen to more.
    This part: “Back in that time, bands made albums, not just individual songs. Everything had to fit and sound good as a whole, transitioning from one song to another.” I sincerely hope we never lose this with music.

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