Tuesday, October 13, 2020

A Couple of “Weight” Questions to Ponder….

Question 1: How Much Does a Gallon of Diesel Fuel Weigh?  

One U.S. gallon of automotive diesel fuel at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and standard atmospheric pressure weighs 6.91 pounds. That’s equal to 110.54 ounces or 3.13 kilograms. 

The density of fuel can change due to heat and pressure, so this number may change slightly in different environments. Colder temperatures and higher pressures increase the weight of a gallon. It doesn’t, however, change too much under normal conditions, so most would agree that the weight of diesel fuel is at approximately 7 pounds per gallon.


This fuel, which looks clear or brown in liquid form, is made by distilling crude oil at high temperatures. Diesel molecules are large yet quite compact, packing more energy into every gallon. Compared to diesel’s roughly 7 pounds per gallon, the same amount of gasoline weighs only about 6.2 pounds. While diesel fuel can release harmful substances into the air when burned, it’s more fuel efficient.  


Question #2: Is the “The Weight” one of the greatest songs in music history?  


This 1968 song, widely accredited to Robbie Robertson of The Band, defies genre, and it doesn’t need one. The song is about a lone traveler’s encounters with several interesting characters in a town called Nazareth, while on a mission to send regards for a woman named Fanny. You can hear country and hear rock and hear blues and hear folk. More importantly, as you listen you understand and feel the journey it takes you on. 

The Weight is filled with really enjoyable instrumentals, biblical undertones and exchanges between the traveler and the town’s characters that leave one wondering. It is masterful storytelling paired with one of the more memorable musical sounds ever recorded.

* * * 

Here's the song itself. 

The album it appears on was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

1 comment:

  1. Lyrics
    I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead
    I just need some place where I can lay my head
    "Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
    He just grinned and shook my hand, "no" was all he said

    Take a load off Fanny
    Take a load for free
    Take a load off Fanny
    And (and) (and) you put the load right on me
    (You put the load right on me)

    I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide
    When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
    I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on let's go downtown"
    She said, "I gotta go but my friend can stick around"

    Take a load off Fanny
    Take a load for free
    Take a load off Fanny
    And (and) (and) you put the load right on me
    (You put the load right on me)

    Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
    It's just ol' Luke and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day
    "Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
    He said, "Do me a favor, son, won'tcha stay and keep Anna Lee company?"

    Take a load off Fanny
    Take a load for free
    Take a load off Fanny
    And (and) (and) you put the load right on me
    (You put the load right on me)

    Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
    He said, "I will fix your rack if you'll take Jack, my dog"
    I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man"
    He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can"
    Yeah, take a load off Fanny

    Take a load for free
    Take a load off Fanny
    And (and) (and) you put the load right on me
    (You put the load right on me)

    Catch a cannon ball now to take me down the line
    My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time
    To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
    Who sent me here with her regards for everyone

    Take a load off Fanny
    Take a load for free
    Take a load off Fanny
    And (and) (and) you put the load right on me
    (You put the load right on me)

    ReplyDelete


MOST POPULAR POSTS