The Spencer Davis Group

Released: January 7, 1966

Songwriter: Spencer Davis Pete York Steve Winwood Muff Winwood

Producer: Chris Blackwell Jimmy Miller

Workin' on the railroad for a dollar a day
Workin' on the railroad for a dollar a day
Workin' on the railroad for a dollar a day
Gotta earn my money, boys, gotta earn my pay

Take this hammer, take it to the captain
Take this hammer, take it to the captain
Take this hammer, take it to the captain

Tell him I'm gone, buddy, you can tell him I'm gone

If he asks ya, was I laughin'
If he asks ya, was I laughin'
If he asks ya, was I laughin'
Tell him I'm cryin, buddy, tell him I'm cryin'

Take this hammer (etc)

The Spencer Davis Group was a British rock band and part of the “British Invasion.” The are best known for their songs “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m a Man,” and as the starting place for Stevie Winwood.

They were formed in 1963 in Birmingham, Wales by guitarist and singer Spencer Davis (b. Spencer Davies), with brothers Stevie (vocals, organ, piano) and Muff (bass) Winwood, and drummer Pete York. They began playing covers of American Blues and R&B, and quickly gained a following in the local music scene. They released their first single, a cover of the John Lee Hooker song “Dimples,” in 1965.

Later that year, they released their breakout single, “Gimme Some Lovin',” which reached #1 on the British charts. The song was notable for Winwood’s (who was only 19 at the time) soulful singing, which was so convincing the single was banned by several segregated radio stations in the US, who thought Linwood was black.

more tracks from the album

The Second Album

From the album

The Second Album (1966)

The Spencer Davis Group popular songs

This HammerThe Spencer Davis Group

The Spencer Davis Group

The Second Album