Only You Know and I Know (2026)
If I seem to mislead you
It’s just my craziness comin’ through
But when it comes down to just two
Ah, I ain’t no crazier than you
‘Cause you know that I mean what I say
So don’t go, and never take me the wrong way
You know you can’t go on gettin’ your own way
‘Cause if you do, it’s gonna get you someday
–Dave Mason, Only You Know and I Know (1970)
This past week, I failed to mention this past week the death of musician Dave Mason last Sunday at the age of 79. It’s not a name familiar to most folks born after 1980 unless they are really into music. And many born well before that year might not know his name but will no doubt be familiar with his work.
He has been referred to as the Forrest Gump or Zelig of rock and roll, always on the fringes of rock greatness and sometimes in its spotlight.
He was one of the founding members of Traffic and wrote one of their biggest hits, Feeling Alright, which was also a huge hit for Joe Cocker. He had a good run with solo career in the 1970’s that yielded 3 gold albums.His song Only You Know and I Know became a big hit and a staple of early FM radio for Delaney and Bonnie in the early 70’s.
Mason contributed 12-string acoustic guitar on the legendary Jimi Hendrix version of All Along the Watchtower, as well as backing vocals on Crosstown Traffic. He also played the Shehnai, a South Asian double reed instrument, and bass drum on Street Fighting Man from the Rolling Stones. He was in the earliest incarnation of Derek and the Dominoes, played on the George Harrison album All Things Must Pass, was a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 90’s, recorded with Michael Jackson, and sang backup on the hit song Listen to What the Man Says from Paul McCartney.
I am sure I am missing a lot here. He was just one of those guys who showed up in a lot of interesting places at the right time.
I listened to his albums quite a bit in the 70’s and 80’s. Some of his songs are among my favorites, including Let It Flow, We Just Disagree, Feelin’ Alright, and Only You Know and I Know, which I am sharing today for this week’s Sunday Morning Music.
I finished up the small painting at the top a day or so before hearing of Mason’s death. After listening to Only You Know and I Know again for the first time in quite some time, the title seemed to fit the painting for me.
Maybe that first verse at the top is custom made for this piece? Maybe.
I might be on-the-rooftop-yellin’ crazy but I ain’t no crazier than you.
You know it and I know it.
Redtree Times 