Where does art come from? Some claim it’s a divine gift from above, while ancient Greeks believed muses whispered inspiration into the ears of the chosen few.
Others, more practical thinkers, see creativity as a muscle to train and exercise. But no matter the perspective, even seasoned artists can be surprised by their own work.
Robbie Robertson of The Band is one such artist, admitting he was taken aback by the sudden emergence of one of his songs.
Artists often have unique approaches to inspiration. Some pull from personal experiences, emotions, or surroundings, while others channel their creativity into commenting on political or social issues.
For Robertson, storytelling was the essence of his craft. More than a rock star, he saw himself as a storyteller, spinning narratives that would take listeners on vivid journeys.
Robertson’s songs are packed with rich, imaginative scenes and characters.
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” captures the struggle of a poor white Southerner in the final year of the Civil War, while “The WS Walcott Medicine Show” evokes the traveling salesmen and medicine shows of a bygone era.
“Rag Mama Rag” is another colorful tune brimming with vibrant characters. In all these stories, Robertson’s only mission was to tell a compelling tale.
“I don’t really write songs with anything other than just a storytelling sense,” he explained.
But despite his mastery of the craft, Robertson admits that creativity remains a mystery, even to him. Sometimes, his stories seemingly appeared out of thin air, with no clear inspiration behind them.
“Up On Cripple Creek,” The Band’s 1969 hit, was one such example.
The song, which follows the adventures of a rural man and his girl “Bessie,” came to Robertson unexpectedly, without any conscious effort or plan. It took him by surprise.
“You sit down and write the song, and usually when something happens, you just don’t even know where it came from, or why it came, or anything like that,” Robertson shared.
He went on to say, “That’s the best. You know, when something comes out of you that surprises you.”
The beauty of creativity, according to Robertson, is when it flows freely and unexpectedly. He wasn’t actively seeking to write a particular kind of song that day.
“I was just sitting down to see if I could think of anything,” he said. And out came “Up On Cripple Creek,” a fun, lively tune that has stood the test of time.
