My Top 1000 Songs #733: Stage Fright

[I've been writing up my Top 1000 songs on a daily basis--you can see them all in descending order by hitting the All My Favorite Songs tag.] 

Not a ton of appearances from The Band on this list; they're one of those bands I know I'm supposed to love, but for whatever reason have never totally clicked for me. I tend to like Band-influenced bands more than The Band themselves. (Which, perhaps not coincidentally, is how I feel about Dylan covers as compared to actual Dylan music.) Sure, we've got "The Weight," because I'm not insane. But beyond that--loads of really good songs, but few I actively yearn to hear at any particular moment. 

The title track on 1970's Stage Fright, the Todd Rundgren-abetted third LP, is an exception, a catchy, cheery song that has a bit more of a pop sheen than most of their more earthy Americana. The piano & keyboard hook is infectious, and the Rick Danko vocal blows me away.

Live, from The Last Waltz: