About the song
Let’s talk about “Can’t You See,” a song that, for many of us, instantly conjures images of open roads, heartfelt longing, and the soulful blend of Southern rock and country. Now, while this iconic tune is most famously associated with The Marshall Tucker Band—a definitive anthem of the 1970s Southern rock movement—it’s absolutely understandable why one might connect it with a legend like Waylon Jennings. His gritty voice, his rebellious spirit, and his deep roots in country music’s more authentic, less polished traditions certainly align with the raw emotion that “Can’t You See” embodies.
Imagine for a moment Waylon Jennings taking on this track. While it might not be a signature hit of his, the very essence of “Can’t You See” perfectly mirrors the themes Waylon often explored in his own work: restlessness, independence, a touch of melancholy, and an unvarnished search for something just out of reach. The song’s narrative of a man grappling with a past love, unable to move on, and expressing that deep, almost aching desire to be free from emotional ties, resonates profoundly with the ‘Outlaw’ ethos that Waylon championed. It’s about a refusal to be tied down, even when the heart aches for it, a complex emotional landscape that Waylon navigated with unparalleled skill throughout his career.
The genius of “Can’t You See” lies in its simple yet profound lyrical content and its memorable, almost haunting melody. That signature opening acoustic guitar riff immediately pulls you into its world, setting a mood that is both wistful and powerful. If Waylon Jennings were to deliver this song—and indeed, he did occasionally perform it live—you can almost hear his distinctive baritone adding an extra layer of world-weary wisdom and raw honesty to every line. His voice would lend an even greater sense of gravitas to the narrator’s struggles, making the yearning feel even more palpable. The driving rhythm section, the wailing steel guitar (or a slide guitar in the original), and the soulful vocals all weave together to create a feeling that’s quintessentially American, bridging the gap between country, blues, and rock.
Ultimately, “Can’t You See” stands as a timeless piece of music because it speaks to universal human experiences: regret, longing, and the elusive nature of true freedom. While The Marshall Tucker Band gave it its most famous voice, the spirit of the song is so robust and so authentically raw that it feels right at home within the broader tapestry of artists who, like Waylon Jennings, defied easy categorization and simply made music that came from the soul. It’s a testament to its power that it evokes connections to other great artists who walked a similar path, proving that some songs transcend their original recordings to become part of a larger musical dialogue.
Video
Lyrics
Gonna catch a freight train as far as I can Lord,
I don’t care which way it goes
Gonna climb a mountain, the highest mountain Lord
Jump off ain’t nobody gonna know.Can’t you see, oh can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me?Gonna buy a ticket go as far as I can Lord
I ain’t never coming back
Take me a southbound all the way down Lord
Till the train run out of track.Can’t you see, oh can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me?Can’t you see, oh can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me
Can’t you see, can’t you see
What that woman’s been doin’ to me?…
