<P> `` The Weight '' is a song originally by the Canadian - American group the Band that was released as Capitol Records single 2269 in 1968 and on the group 's debut album Music from Big Pink . Written by Band member Robbie Robertson , the song is about a visitor 's experiences in a town mentioned in the lyric 's first line as Nazareth . `` The Weight '' has significantly influenced American popular music , having been listed as # 41 on Rolling Stone 's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004 . Pitchfork Media named it the 13th best song of the Sixties , and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named it one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll . PBS , which broadcast performances of the song in `` Ramble at the Ryman '' ( 2011 ) , `` Austin City Limits '' ( 2012 ) , and `` Quick Hits '' ( 2012 ) , describes it as `` a masterpiece of Biblical allusions , enigmatic lines and iconic characters '' and notes its enduring popularity as `` an essential part of the American songbook . '' </P>
<P> `` The Weight '' is a song originally by the Canadian - American group the Band that was released as Capitol Records single 2269 in 1968 and on the group 's debut album Music from Big Pink . Written by Band member Robbie Robertson , the song is about a visitor 's experiences in a town mentioned in the lyric 's first line as Nazareth . `` The Weight '' has significantly influenced American popular music , having been listed as # 41 on Rolling Stone 's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004 . Pitchfork Media named it the 13th best song of the Sixties , and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named it one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll . PBS , which broadcast performances of the song in `` Ramble at the Ryman '' ( 2011 ) , `` Austin City Limits '' ( 2012 ) , and `` Quick Hits '' ( 2012 ) , describes it as `` a masterpiece of Biblical allusions , enigmatic lines and iconic characters '' and notes its enduring popularity as `` an essential part of the American songbook . '' </P>
who wrote the song the weight by the band
who wrote the song the weight by the band
Band member Robbie Robertson
Band member Robbie Robertson