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Leon Russell — Back To The Island
Album: Will o' the Wisp
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2028









Released: 1975
Length: 4:34
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Now the day is gone and I sit alone and think of you, girl
What can I do without you in my life?
I guess that our guessing game just had to end that way
The hardest one to lose of all the games we played

But the time is past for living in a dream world
Lying to myself can't make that scene
Of wondering if you love me or just making a fool of me
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Chorus:

And watch the sun go down (sit and watch the sun go down)
Hear the sea roll in (listen to the sea roll in)
But I'll be thinking of you (yes, and I'll be thinking of you)
And how it might have been (thinking how it might have been)
Hear the night birds cry (listen to the night birds cry)
Watch the sunset die (sit and watch the sunset die)
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Well all the fun has died, It's raining in my heart
I know down in my soul I'm really gonna miss you
But it had to end this way with all the games we played
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Repeat Chorus

Repeat Chorus
Comments (236)add comment
love the bird  - 6 to a 9
Posted 1 day ago by Cadger    [ Reply ]
 cinzia1026 wrote:

6.5?!?!   Really people? A solid 9 for me, a former Caribbean gal.




I'm with you
Posted 3 months ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
love the kookaburras 😉
Posted 5 months ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Why was it that I usta think 'Ol Leon could sing?
Posted 9 months ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
"Now the day is gone and I sit alone and think of you, girl"

How did William know that my wife is away this week and this would hit exactly at sunset? 
Posted 11 months ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
6.5?!?!   Really people? A solid 9 for me, a former Caribbean gal.
Posted 11 months ago by cinzia1026    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Leon songs. It's great to hear it on RP. 
Fun fact: Gailard Sartain, who local Tulsa, OK residents knew as the host of Mazepa Pompazoidi's Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting on Saturday nights, then went on to bigger fame on Hee Haw and several of the Ernest movies also created the artwork for this album.
Posted 1 year ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
I remember riding around as a teen-ager with my buddy Mike  P., Leon playing on the radio and him laughing so much at how well I could sing along in my "Leon voice". Great songwriter, whacky yet beloved (to me) singing voice.
Posted 2 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
I’ve lived on two Caribbean islands as well as Bermuda. This song definitely fits!
Posted 3 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 naomin wrote:

I'm with Stretcher.  I've lived on many beautiful islands and this doesn't do it for me ATALL



Pardonez-moi, but don't you mean ATOLL?  
Posted 3 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
Which came first, the Leon Russel or the Willie Nelson?
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 cinzia1026 wrote:

Maybe because you've never lived on an island?  It's a solid 9 for me!! 
 
I'm with Stretcher.  I've lived on many beautiful islands and this doesn't do it for me ATALL
Posted 4 years ago by naomin    [ Reply ]
 user4176 wrote:
 baddog8it wrote:
Voice is ALMOST as irritating as Willy Nelson.

Feeeling exactly the same. To my ears this just plain hurts and it's hard to believe anyone could be enjoying this. But, obviously, ears are different.

 
Well I kind of like the goat voice , Tom Petty had very similar  as well
Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
 markwsyred wrote:
"Don't get hung up about Easter"
 
What Easter ,instead of eggs we are having corona
Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
 stretcher wrote:
Oh my god, this is killing me.  Maybe it's just my mood right now - but this is awful.
 
Maybe because you've never lived on an island?  It's a solid 9 for me!! 
Posted 4 years ago by cinzia1026    [ Reply ]
Circa 1979, college.  Be partying hard (weed and beer) with some frat dudes and like 3 in the morning. 3 of us walked into this guys living room and he spun this on vinyl and turned out the lights.  We didnt even talk just kicked back and let the music fill the room.  I had never heard it.  That few moments were seared into my brain forever. 
Posted 4 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
Aloha to all, despite the rain in my heart from that torn apart marriage and thinking how it might have been.
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Always mellow out when I hear this....Love Leon Russell....
Posted 5 years ago by Rozsa    [ Reply ]
Oh my god, this is killing me.  Maybe it's just my mood right now - but this is awful.
Posted 5 years ago by stretcher    [ Reply ]
Great with a hammock
Posted 5 years ago by chuck.b.meyers    [ Reply ]
{#Wave}
Posted 5 years ago by ablada    [ Reply ]
Nice.  Maybe something by Jimmy Buffet next?
Posted 5 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
45 years and I finally realize that bird sound is a Kukaburra. Australia isn't an island! Nice song, though. 
Posted 5 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
bumped 9 to 10
Posted 5 years ago by rsatkinsoninc    [ Reply ]
bumped 8 to 9
Posted 5 years ago by DChas    [ Reply ]
 baddog8it wrote:
Voice is ALMOST as irritating as Willy Nelson.

Feeeling exactly the same. To my ears this just plain hurts and it's hard to believe anyone could be enjoying this. But, obviously, ears are different.

Posted 5 years ago by user4176    [ Reply ]
One of my all time favorite Leon Russell songs.  I miss him.
Posted 5 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to go back to the island, and I've never even been.
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
My all favorite song by Mr. Leon.  I want to reach out and hug him.  Well, I hope to one day.  So much miss him.  
Posted 6 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
Not for me.
Posted 6 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite of his album but still a wonderful album. 
Posted 6 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
No words. 10. Had to be there. Thanks RP. <3
Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Super Spirit Leon (neat little tune, and I like that sweet album art where Leon has a stronger, more enchanting eye than the owl : )
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I thought Willie at first, then remembered i had heard this previously, then Leon came to mind.  He reminds me of Dr. John for some reason.
Great deep cut from one the finest American musicians.  Likes to recycle bird sound effects, nothing wrong with that.

On another note:  Who Does This Government Work For?  Answer: A very thin slice off the top.
Posted 7 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
Master of time and space... and long drawls... 
 
Posted 7 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:

I also thought this was Willy Nelson... (irritating may not be my perception, but this song won't rate high)

 
I hear it too. The resemblance, not the irritation.
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Love Leon. He is missed In this home. 
Posted 7 years ago by wierdsley    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
God, did I love this song. High school. KLOL out of Houston.

 
Did someone else cover this around the same thing? I remember hearing it a lot during the 70s but never associated it with Leon. It does have a Jimmy Buffet feel...
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
{#Meditate} leon wrote so so many great songs so many were hits for other artists / underrated in so many respects ! rip
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
I swear I hear Leonard Cohen singing backup. Am I crazy?
Posted 8 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
Thanks for the music, Leon.  Always a fan.  RIP.
Posted 8 years ago by senorcerveza    [ Reply ]
Sounds like he may have influenced Jimmy Buffett.
Posted 8 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]
Goodbye Leon. I was never much of a fan—but I heard a lot of Leon in my college dorm party days.  You were a cool, quirky talent, a good piano player, and you made tunes with many notables. 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Loved Leon's music, including this one. Another great one gone. RIP Leon.
Posted 8 years ago by Chwkbud    [ Reply ]
God, did I love this song. High school. KLOL out of Houston.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill.
Posted 8 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
RIP Leon
Posted 8 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Leon Likes Leon
Posted 10 years ago by leonswiatek    [ Reply ]
 baddog8it wrote:
Voice is ALMOST as irritating as Willy Nelson.

 
I also thought this was Willy Nelson... (irritating may not be my perception, but this song won't rate high)
Posted 10 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Just saw him in concert last month. He came on stage and rocked for a solid 45 minutes before taking a break to say 'hello.' Then did another 2 hours. We saw him leaving the theater before anyone else out a side door, riding off into the distance on his Rascal. It was definitely an exclamation point on the evening.
Posted 10 years ago by cshotton    [ Reply ]
Ha ha. .  this must be one of Bil's little musical jokes. . . ho ho. . . . what? You mean he is serious? 

o_0
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Voice is ALMOST as irritating as Willy Nelson.
Posted 10 years ago by baddog8it    [ Reply ]
Next to Lady Blue and Delta Lady and his Jumpin' Jack Flash version, maybe my favorite Leon tune...
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
that's the first time I've been lucky enough to hear that nutty (imo) Russel piece, still admire the man, and he is a powerful symbol of some kinda 70's vibe, maybe like that sweet album art where Leon has a stronger, more enchanting eye than the owl
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Please play more Leon!  He has done so much!  This seems to get the most play, and while good, it's not one of his greats.
Posted 10 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
 neuticle wrote:
For the life of me I can not see the attraction to this guy..I've tried..Kind of like the Dead..just can't wrap my feeble brain around what people seem to like here..

 
Leon grows on you....go ahead...feel it.....I dare ya.
Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy} {#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 FrankThuis wrote:
What a crap. Can't you play this when Americans are awake and Europeans are sleeping? Saves a lot of headache.

 
This guy goes back to JJ Cale.  You can't deny him.  Substitute Randy Newman for Leon Russell.  Newman is a real American jerk and is much more deserving of your condemnation.   
Posted 10 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
Reminds me when i once hung out with these Jerry Jeff Walker fans
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
phyke birds and all, beats the hell outta 99.9% of what I hear when I'm out in public. (buskers on PACFIC AV,EXCEPTED)
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Late 70s on leave, hanging with friends in Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms.  Watching the sun go down.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

gilligan

 
I miss those guys. 

And Mary Ann too.  
Posted 11 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
 FrankThuis wrote:
What a crap. Can't you play this when Americans are awake and Europeans are sleeping? Saves a lot of headache.

 
Perhaps you should hit the "Play Something Different" PSD button?  That's why God made it  :-)
Posted 11 years ago by wlpendley    [ Reply ]
I love Leon!!!! This song is one of his best!
Posted 11 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
Big Fat 10!!  {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 Muse to Elton for years .. . plays any and all instruments.. genius.
Posted 11 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
Nice song, but the production should have lost the cheesy "Gilligan's Island" sound effects. 
 
I'm also having trouble wrapping my mind around Leon Russell singing this in his khakis and flip flops. 
Posted 11 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
Nice song, but the production should have lost the cheesy "Gilligan's Island" sound effects. 
 
gilligan
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Nice lyrics...
Posted 11 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Nice song, but the production should have lost the cheesy "Gilligan's Island" sound effects. 
Posted 12 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
For the life of me I can not see the attraction to this guy..I've tried..Kind of like the Dead..just can't wrap my feeble brain around what people seem to like here..
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
a very special artist
Posted 12 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Leon twice in 2 days.  I like it!
Posted 12 years ago by Keef    [ Reply ]
Just thinking of yeeeeeeeeouuuuuu.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
The bickering that pollutes these comments is so tiring.  Why is it that so many people have the need to put others down?  Are they so insecure in themselves?  Have they nothing better to do?

(Sorry, Frank, nothing personal.  You're just the one particular hater that pushed me to comment.)
Posted 12 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 btt wrote:
This one takes me back to a much simpler , and more serene time in my life .
 
If that means "walking back to the dorms after a long day, "relaxing" a bit and then firing up the stereo while watching the sun go down over the science lab," I'm with you there.
Posted 12 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Wait a minute. Did I just hear a kookaburra in the background? Kookaburra are native to Australia and New Guinea and Australia is a continent so he must be singing about New Guinea.
 
And it's a recycled kookaburra at that. Must have had the same sound effects tape laying around as when he recorded Out In the Woods.
Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 FrankThuis wrote:
What a crap. Can't you play this when Americans are awake and Europeans are sleeping? Saves a lot of headache.
 
you are always asleep when I am awake - same problem with the missus as well
Posted 12 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
This one takes me back to a much simpler , and more serene time in my life .
Posted 12 years ago by btt    [ Reply ]
This makes me wish "Lady Blue" was the next cut...
Posted 12 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Anything... Anytime... Anywhere by Leon Russell...
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
You nay-sayers have never lived on an island in the tropics!
Posted 12 years ago by Cinzia    [ Reply ]

Still love this song, and the guy it reminds me of every time.......


Posted 12 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I don't know why, but I love this song.
 
I know why, and I do not like this song. I like Leon though.
Posted 13 years ago by cdysthe    [ Reply ]
I don't know why, but I love this song.
Posted 13 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:
Is that you Willie Nelson?  Sounds like something he would put out, or at least sing on.
 
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Posted 13 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
Is that you Willie Nelson?  Sounds like something he would put out, or at least sing on.
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Leon......Yes!
 
Posted 13 years ago by Bluztrvler    [ Reply ]
{#Cowboy}{#Daisy}
Posted 13 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Love this......so dreamysad......the One Love that got away........it happened to you too, didn't it?
Posted 13 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
Just a darned nice tune, I think.
Posted 13 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
Wait a minute. Did I just hear a kookaburra in the background? Kookaburra are native to Australia and New Guinea and Australia is a continent so he must be singing about New Guinea.

Posted 13 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Love this song. Takes me away.
Posted 13 years ago by pelucid    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Always liked this song, but hearing it now makes me feel really old.....those times are gone!
 
I was thinking the same thing ...

Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Put this back on the shelf
Posted 13 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
FADE IT GOD DAMN! :-)
Posted 13 years ago by smadanayr    [ Reply ]
 Bleyfusz wrote:
This is about the first time I don't mistake him for the Doctor. How come?
 
Mix Doctor John, Willie Nelson, and a dash of Lime (in the coconut).

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
We used to call him the man who swallowed the wah-wah pedal.  Love that voice.

This is originally from the Will O' The Wisp album, a lovely collection.  Should be checked out by all.
Posted 13 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
Always liked this song, but hearing it now makes me feel really old.....those times are gone!
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Willie Rolls...
Posted 13 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
I love Leon Russell... {#Bounce}{#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
This is about the first time I don't mistake him for the Doctor. How come?
Posted 14 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 Anax wrote:
A voice only a mother could love.
 

you're right, I'm a mother, and I love it!
Posted 14 years ago by anabel    [ Reply ]
wow, this is really nice
Posted 14 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
 Derecho wrote:
Colonel Sanders meets ZZ Top.

Good song, though.
 
{#Lol}

Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
A voice only a mother could love.
Posted 14 years ago by Anax    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
twitterpated wrote:
I thought this was Willie Nelson at first. . .but I really like this song.
Okay — I guess I wasn't the only one!!  Totally sounds like Willie.... (wtf)  {#Stupid}
 
LOL I thought... wow! That sounds like Leon Russell! I thought I'd hear Willie before Leon on RP. Thanks Bill! Nice to hear, tho we are moving off the island tomorrow. (Not far.. just across the bridge to the mainland.)

Posted 14 years ago by teadye    [ Reply ]
twitterpated wrote:
I thought this was Willie Nelson at first. . .but I really like this song.

 yodasan_magoo wrote:


Ditto, heard it over the headphones...I'm thinking, what the ...is Willie doing on RP...  terrorists must have taken over the RP booth.
 
Okay — I guess I wasn't the only one!!  Totally sounds like Willie.... (wtf)  {#Stupid}
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
WOW, this really brings back memories.{#Cry}
Posted 14 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
Colonel Sanders meets ZZ Top.

Good song, though.
Posted 14 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
 yodasan_magoo wrote:


Ditto, heard it over the headphones...I'm thinking, what the ...is Willie doing on RP...  terrorists must have taken over the RP booth.
 

Terrorists or the Hell's Angels!!!   :)

Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
 twitterpated wrote:
I thought this was Willie Nelson at first. . .but I really like this song.

 

Ditto, heard it over the headphones...I'm thinking, what the ...is Willie doing on RP...  terrorists must have taken over the RP booth.
Posted 14 years ago by yodasan_magoo    [ Reply ]
Looks like the song has had it's desired effect.

 vandal wrote:
{#Sleep}
 


Posted 14 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
I thought this was Willie Nelson at first. . .but I really like this song.

Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
 nook wrote:
saw him playing with the Shelter People more years ago than i care to remember.  I've always loved this song.  can't say why, it just is.
 
Crestone Music Festival '07, myself.  He blew me away!

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Wow this is great. Thanks Bill.
Posted 14 years ago by LuvWilloughby    [ Reply ]
saw him playing with the Shelter People more years ago than i care to remember.  I've always loved this song.  can't say why, it just is.
Posted 14 years ago by nook    [ Reply ]
 Droidac wrote:

The background singers sounds identical to the singers on Leonard Cohen's "Closing Time". Anyone else hear that?

 
...yeah, where the women tear their blouses off!
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
Oh MY! Sweet and nice{#Good-vibes}
Posted 14 years ago by claire_k    [ Reply ]