Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Aretha Franklin
Vocals
Frank Wess
Alto Saxophone
George Dorsey
Alto Saxophone
Arif Mardin
Conductor
Evelyn Greene
Background Vocals
Wyline Ivy
Background Vocals
Pepper Adams
Baritone Saxophone
Ron Carter
Bass Guitar
Bruno Carr
Drums
Kenny Burrell
Guitar
Junior Mance
Piano
David Newman
Saxophone
Joe Newman
Trumpet
King Curtis
Tenor Saxophone
Seldon Powell
Tenor Saxophone
Benny Powell
Trombone
Jimmy Cleveland
Trombone
Thomas Mitchell
Trombone
Urbie Green
Trombone
Bernie Glow
Trumpet
Ernie Royal
Trumpet
Jack Jennings
Vibraphone
Richard Williams
Trumpet
Snookie Young
Trumpet
Jimmy Johnson
Guitar
Joe Zawinul
Organ
Spooner Oldham
Organ
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
John Hartford
Songwriter
Arif Mardin
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Jerry Wexler
Producer
Tom Dowd
Producer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Just knowing that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk (Free to walk, free to walk, free to walk, free to walk)
That makes me know that I can leave
My sleeping bag behind your couch (I'll be right there)
Yes it does (Yes, I'll be right there)
[Verse 2]
It's knowing I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
And your ink stains that are dried upon some line
That keeps you on the back roads (Back roads)
In the middle of my memory (Memory)
And keeps you gentle on my mind, oh (Gentle on my mind, yeah, gentle on my mind, yeah)
[Verse 3]
It's not clinging to some rocks and ivy planted on some column, now
That binds, no it don't
Or something that somebody say
Because they thought we'd fit together walkin' (Don't walk on by, baby)
We didn't, baby (Don't walk on by, baby)
[Verse 4]
It's knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgivin'
When I turn around and find
That you're moving on the back roads (Back roads)
You're still on my memory (Memory)
You're everything on my mind (Still on my mind, baby)
Yes you are, baby (Still on my mind, baby)
[Verse 5]
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa
Yeah, you're still (Still on my mind, baby)
Got you in my (Still on my mind, baby)
Tel you that you are (Still on my mind, baby)
Still on the back roads (Still on my mind, baby)
Oh yeah (Still on my mind, baby)
You're still on my mind (Still on my mind, baby)
Baby, babe (Still on my mind, baby)
Still on my mind (Still on my mind, baby)
Yeah (Still on my mind, baby)
Written by: John Hartford