Canned Heat’s “Goin’ Up The Country” Woodstock Set Will Have You Missing Alan…

The Open Road

Big Woodstock names went down in history like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Clearwater Creedence Revival and so many others and although they were cut from the film Woodstock, Canned Heat was one of the greatest bands on that stage.

Performing their hit “Goin’ Up The Country,” just one year before singer Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson’s death, they lit up the stage with their hometown blues and gave the performance of a lifetime.

“I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go? I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go? I’m goin’ to some place where I’ve never been before…”

Inspired by the freedom of the open road on their journey around the country, this song really resonated with the Woodstock crowd as they cruised the country to get to the iconic concert. 

Alan’s insanely soft vocals and good hearted beats– they were by far one of the most underrated performances of Woodstock ’69. Unfortunately, our Blind Owl was found deceased on the side of Bob Hite’s hill at just 27 years old due to an overconsumption of central nervous system depressants. Although it was never proved to be a suicide attempt, a few weeks prior to this unfortunate occurrence, Alan tried to run his car off of a freeway in LA.

Interesting Fact: Wilson’s death came just two weeks before the death of Jimi Hendrix and four weeks before the death of Janis Joplin.

There is no telling what a voice and talent like that could have done in this world, but sadly we will never know… RIP Alan.. you are missed Blind Owl…

+ Goin’ Up The Country Lyrics +

I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go?
I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go?
I’m goin’ to some place where I’ve never been before

I’m goin’ where the water tastes like wine
I’m goin’ where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time

I’m gonna leave this city, got to get away
I’m gonna leave this city, got to get away
All this fussin’ and fightin’ man, you know I sure can’t stay

Now, baby pack your leavin’ trunk
You know we’ve got to leave today
Just exactly where we’re goin’ I cannot say
But we might even leave the U.S.A.
‘Cause it’s a brand new game and I want to play
No use in your runnin’, or screamin’ and cryin’
‘Cause you got a home as long as I’ve got mine