Whipping Post

Experience the raw power of The Allman Brothers Band's "Whipping Post"! This 1969 blues-rock and Southern rock epic defines their early sound with intense emotion and sophisticated musicianship. Famous for its anguished vocals and legendary live jams, it remains a monumental track in rock history.

Debuting on The Allman Brothers Band's self-titled 1969 album, "Whipping Post" immediately established the group's unique blend of blues rock, roots rock influences, and Southern rock intensity. Penned by Gregg Allman, the song features his signature tormented vocals and is renowned for its complex 11/8 time signature in the intro riff, showcasing the band's advanced musicality from their very beginning.

Released as part of their debut album around November 4, 1969, "Whipping Post" achieved legendary status primarily through its extended live interpretations, especially the version on At Fillmore East. This Southern rock and blues-rock masterpiece became a showcase for the band's improvisational genius, particularly the interplay between dual lead guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, solidifying its place as an essential rock classic.

SONG MEANING: "Whipping Post" is a powerful expression of intense emotional pain and torment caused by a deceitful lover. Gregg Allman's lyrics convey a feeling of being used, betrayed, and subjected to suffering, using the potent metaphor of being tied to a whipping post ("Sometimes I feel / Like I've been tied to the whipping post") to describe the depth of his anguish and helplessness.