The British band Ten Years After hit the stage on Sunday, August 17th at about 8.15 pm. They were known for heavy blues rock, and long guitar and drum solos. But what could have been a world-shaking performance failed due to technical reasons: the high humidity caused the instruments to go out of tune, the sound recording partially failed, and the camera team was just able to film the last song, "I'm Going Home", an intense performance which was one of the highlights of Woodstock.
However, the over 12-minute encore number "I'm Going Home" demonstrates the power of Ten Years After, and especially the virtuosity of guitarist Alvin Lee. The song is a tribute to '50s rock'n'roll. It has a very fast and repetitive guitar riff in the refrain and is built upon various solos. The middle part (of the Woodstock version) features a short medley of "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", as well as "Boom Boom" from John Lee Hooker.
Lyrics
Goin' home, my baby Goin' home, my baby Goin' home, to see my baby
Our baby, how good My baby, be good I'm goin' home, my baby Home to see my girl
Oh baby, baby, I'm coming home Baby, baby I'm coming home Tell me Mama, baby, I'm coming home
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine Gonna take my baby, want to take my baby mine Gonna take my woman treats me real kind
I'm goin' home, my baby I'm goin' home, to see my baby Goin' home, my baby
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine Take my baby, take my baby mine Gonna tell your mama how good that love of ours
I'm goin' home, to see my baby I'm goin' home, to see my baby Oh, baby ooh
Want to take you back, take where love belong Treat me baby, treat, don't treat me wrong
Oh, baby, I'm rollin' Baby, baby, I'm rollin' Baby, baby, I'm rollin'
Won't you shake me, baby, well get you rollin' down Won't you shake me, baby, well get you rollin' down Oh, baby, we're gonna have some fun
Baby, please don't go, baby, please don't go Baby, please don't go, baby, please don't go Please don't go, she's cold, I need you
Comin' home, ooh, hey Come on over baby, whole lotta shakin' goin' on I'm goin' home, to see my baby Home, to see my girl, ooh
'm goin' home, take my baby I'm goin' home, see my baby Gonna take me back, I'll take her where I belong
I'm goin' home, to see my baby I'm goin' home, to see my baby Come on, Take me, Yeah
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home I'm goin' home, hey, hoo Gonna take me back right where I belong
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home Hoo, hoo, right where I belong
Songwriters: Alvin Lee I’m Going Home lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC