If You Gotta Go, Go Now
Encyclopedia
If You Gotta Go, Go Now is a song written by Bob Dylan
in 1964. The first released version was as a single in the US by the UK group The Liverpool Five in July 1965, but this went uncharted in the US despite receiving much airplay, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. It was another English band Manfred Mann
, who then issued the song as a single in September 1965. This version reached #2 on the UK charts.
. Of the two takes completed, neither was used. Later, on January 15, several unidentified musicians would be brought in to overdub various parts onto the takes recorded on the 13th. This would be repeated on May 21, where two takes would eventually be released: take 5, released as a single, and take 7, released on The Bootleg Series. Dylan himself released his studio version as a single-only release in Holland in 1967, which failed to chart. This track would not be issued in the U.S. or the UK until the appearance of The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991. The song also appears on The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall
, albeit in an acoustic, live form.
also took the song onto the charts, albeit in an unusual fashion: the group translated the song into French (partially, retaining the English "...you gotta stay all night" as the end of a line beginning in French for comic effect) as "Si Tu Dois Partir". Recorded for the Unhalfbricking
album, the song was issued as a single in 1969. This was the band's only charting single, reaching number 21 and staying in the British Chart for nine weeks.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
in 1964. The first released version was as a single in the US by the UK group The Liverpool Five in July 1965, but this went uncharted in the US despite receiving much airplay, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. It was another English band Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
, who then issued the song as a single in September 1965. This version reached #2 on the UK charts.
Dylan's Version
Dylan began the recording for "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" on January 13, 1965, during the first session for Bringing It All Back HomeBringing It All Back Home
Bringing It All Back Home is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's fifth studio album, released in March 1965 by Columbia Records. The album is divided into an electric and an acoustic side. On side one of the original LP, Dylan is backed by an electric rock and roll band - a move that further alienated...
. Of the two takes completed, neither was used. Later, on January 15, several unidentified musicians would be brought in to overdub various parts onto the takes recorded on the 13th. This would be repeated on May 21, where two takes would eventually be released: take 5, released as a single, and take 7, released on The Bootleg Series. Dylan himself released his studio version as a single-only release in Holland in 1967, which failed to chart. This track would not be issued in the U.S. or the UK until the appearance of The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991. The song also appears on The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall
The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall
The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall is a complete recording of Bob Dylan's October 31, 1964 "Halloween" show at New York's Philharmonic Hall. It was released in 2004....
, albeit in an acoustic, live form.
Fairport Convention's Version
Fairport ConventionFairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
also took the song onto the charts, albeit in an unusual fashion: the group translated the song into French (partially, retaining the English "...you gotta stay all night" as the end of a line beginning in French for comic effect) as "Si Tu Dois Partir". Recorded for the Unhalfbricking
Unhalfbricking
The band's male vocalist Iain Matthews left during the recordings for Unhalfbricking to make his own album Matthews' Southern Comfort, after recording just one track, "Percy's Song". Sandy Denny sang lead vocals on all the other songs, including her own compositions, "Autopsy", and "Who Knows Where...
album, the song was issued as a single in 1969. This was the band's only charting single, reaching number 21 and staying in the British Chart for nine weeks.
Non-charting cover versions
- The Liverpool Five, RCA VIctor single 47-8660 (July 1965)
- Johnny HallydayJohnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan...
- French version "Maintenant ou jamais" (EP, 1966) - Pavel Novak - Czech singer (1967)
- Rick NelsonRicky NelsonEric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
& The Stone Canyon Band, single a-side (1970) - The Flying Burrito BrothersThe Flying Burrito BrothersThe Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
, Burrito DeluxeBurrito DeluxeBurrito Deluxe is the second album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1970. In between The Gilded Palace of Sin and Burrito Deluxe, the band underwent some personnel changes. Bassist Chris Ethridge left the band out of frustration at the band's lack of success...
(1970) - The Pontiac BrothersThe Pontiac BrothersThe Pontiac Brothers were an American hard rock band formed in 1983.Ward Dotson founded the Pontiac Brothers after splitting with The Gun Club in 1983. Their debut, Big Black River, was issued in France in 1985, which eventually landed them a Stateside deal with Frontier Records...
, Big Black River (1985) - Cowboy JunkiesCowboy JunkiesCowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band. The group was formed in Toronto in 1985 by Margo Timmins , Michael Timmins , Peter Timmins and Alan Anton ....
, Rarities, B-Sides and Slow, Sad WaltzesRarities, B-Sides and Slow, Sad WaltzesRarities, B-Sides and Slow, Sad Waltzes is an album by the Canadian rock band Cowboy Junkies, released in 1999. It was the band's first independent release after the end of their contract with Geffen Records....
(1999) - Jono Manson, NovemberNovemberNovember is the 11th month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of four months with the length of 30 days. November was the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar...
(2008)