The Band suffered little in the way of self-confidence, hence the gutsy name. In fairness, this was an already legendary musical combo that had backed Bob Dylan for years by the time it recorded its legendary debut album. Yes, The Band is one of the greatest bands of all time.

To celebrate the legacy of this group, which revitalized American roots music and inspired many, I’m looking at The Band’s top 10 songs.

Greatest 10 Songs by The Band

10. “I Shall Be Released”

The members of The Band were quick on their feet and learned at a tremendous pace. They were called The Hawks when they received the life-changing opportunity of becoming Bob Dylan’s backing band for his inaugural electric-rock tours. (The story is that Dylan just wanted two of the members first, but loyalty pushed those to ask for their colleagues to join also.)

But then the quintet helped Dylan record country, folk, and rock n’ roll demos in a makeshift studio down on a Woodstock ranch. Those songs eventually found their way onto the legendary “The Basement Tapes.” They also served as inspiration for the equally famous “Music from Big Pink,” The Band’s debut.

The Band, on its earliest recordings, works in the same way it did with Dylan on the ranch. They keep it loose. They play roots music and make it all seem like a drunken jam.

And they cover a still, as of 1968, unreleased Bob Dylan classic, the gospel-tinged “I Shall Be Released,” in marvellous, soulful fashion.

9. “The Caves of Jericho”

Music fans love a rock group that retires early, in its prime. That’s the story of Sex Pistols, or The Police. And, if you watch the documentaries or read the books, you’d be convinced that’s what happened to The Band.

After all, when Robbie Robertson opted to call it quits, he had Martin Scorsese direct a movie, “The Last Waltz,” about it.

But The Band didn’t really quit. Not for long anyway. The group returned, minus Robertson, to touring in the 1980s.

The “Jericho” album was released in 1993. And, for those still paying attention, it was the work of a competent, occasionally great roots band. “The Caves of Jericho” is a great song, written by Levon Helm together with Richard Bell and John Simon. It allowed The Band to have a final act. And, I’m glad that happened.

8. “Don’t Ya Tell Henry”

“The Basemenet Tapes” was the most famous bootleg recording in the world. It was also, before its release, arguably the best-selling one.

The Band had recorded dozens of songs with their patron/collaborator Bob Dylan at his Woodstock home. Many of the songs that ended up being recorded featured vocals by members of The Band. Clearly, Dylan thought enough of them to provide them with near-equal pegging.

The songs are nearly all a wonderful, hazy farm-yard dream. “Don’t Ya Tell Henry” is the best song of the bunch that could fairly be attributed to The Band. It’s sung by Levon Helm.

And while some dispute exists whether the version on record was actually recorded in the late 60s, and with Dylan, it certainly captures the mood of the time.

7. “Arcadian Driftwood”

Robbie Robertson got to watch Bob Dylan for a few years. But this was Dylan at his creative peak. Songs just rang out of him at a rapid pace.

Robertson was inspired. But he did more than just ape or imitate him. More than any other of Dylan’s friends, Robertson raised the level of his own writing to that of the master.

“Arcadian Driftwood” was a reminder of Robertson’s ability as a songwriter at a time when fans needed it. Along with a handful of other songs, it made “Northern Lights – Southern Cross, if not a masterpiece like “Big Pink,” a noteworthy record.

6. “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)”

If I’m honest, despite all of the goodwill that existed for members of The Band, you’ll get nearly everything that you need as a listener from the first two albums. While that’s simply testament to their power in the moment, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go on looking further.

The reason why, say, the self-titled 1969 album works so well is that the songwriting is inspired, containing wide-sprawling themes that fit a rootsy sound produced by one of the best backing bands in the world.

It also works because Robbie Robertson’s songs are focused on old American myths and had his very talented colleagues sing them.

I might be gushing with compliments here. But it will be Richard Manuel’s tender, heartfelt singing on “King Harvest (Has Surely Come),” a tune about a labour union worker, for which he’ll be best remembered.

5. “Stage Fright”

“Stage Fright” is too easily forgotten by fans, critics, and Dylan obsessives. That’s because the album and song were released just as the 1960s had ended. It’s because this was the follow-up to The Band’s intimidating self-titled record. And, well, it features no Dylan.

“They Gave This Ploughboy His Fortune And Fame/Since That Day He Ain’t Been The Same,” Rick Danko sings on this Todd Rundgren-produced track.

The good times had come. And like they’d done to Dylan, or any of the big stars, it’d been enough to wash them away nearly. “Stage Fright” is one more song about rock n’ roll dreams coming true, and not being all they should.

4. “Up On Cripple Creek”

It turns out that Robbie Robertson and his colleagues didn’t need fancy recording studios or label executives dropping by occasionally.

What they required was a loose recording atmosphere. They required Robertson’s songs. And they made do with an almost supernatural ability to interpret country, blues, and folk music.

“Up On Cripple Creek” was a single. It was a danceable roots number about a truck driver dreaming of his Bessie. The Band could write complex country music about regular folk like few others.

3. “Ophelia”

There’s a bit of a gap between the self-titled album and the dramatic exit of “The Last Waltz.” During the mid-70s, The Band struggled to remain a solid commercial proposition.

Roots-rock bands may have overflooded the market. Eagles and CSN were making a killing. Still, The Band could, occasionally, produce moments of pure genius that their contemporaries could only dream of reaching.

“Ophelia” is a Shakespearian barn-dance number and, simply, one of the best songs the band ever produced. The band plays it with glee, as if they’re frontlining a gigantic concert gathering. It was one of The Band’s final singles, and a real gem.

2. “The Weight”

Robbie Robertson, like his patron Bob Dylan, could write songs that sounded like long-lost classics from their first day in existence. These are folk songs in the purest sense of the word. And that’s why songs like “The Weight” are covered endlessly.

“The Weight” sounds like it could have soundtracked The Bible on its initial print run. It’s purposely designed to sound like a Church hymn. Its lyrics talk about the disaster of war and people’s need for reconciliation.

And “The Weight” gave the members of the Band, who by 1968 resembled Western-film desperados, a chance to deliver a fantastic performance, while Helm and Danko trade lines.

1. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”

That’s the way to end it! That’s the exit all bands should dream of! For their last performance, The Band brought on all of their famous friends and hired the premier movie director, Martin Scorsese, to produce a film about their announced demise.

All that was needed was a song that sounded like the end of some great battle. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” wasn’t the last tune in the setlist. But, for all intents and purposes, it was the perfect note on which to finish.

Inspired by the last days of the American Civil War and featuring a rousing chorus, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” is a true classic. Robertson knew it the moment he finished it. It’s The Band’s greatest achievement and one of the best songs of all time.