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I'd Rather Go Blind
Etta James
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- Album
- Tell Mama
- Released
- 1968
- Genres
- soul, soul blues, vocal jazz
- Length
- 2:37
- Tempo
- 83 BPM
- Label
- Geffen
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About this song
The song was written by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster. Etta James first recorded it in 1967, and it was released in 1968. It has since come to be regarded as a blues and soul classic.
What it's about
The song can be heard as a mother longing for her lost child or as a woman yearning for her ex-lover. Critics have praised its emotional and poetic quality and called it one of the great double-sided singles of its era.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 3 other songs, like “A MOMENT WITH GEE by EST Gee”.
- Covered 28 times, including “I’d Rather Go Blind by Tesla”.
- Written by Billy Foster, Ellington Jordan and Etta James.
- Produced by Rick Hall.
- Recorded at FAME Studios.