i'd Rather Go Blind

Live with Dr. John, this version of I'd Rather Go Blind by Etta James, who first recorded the tune back in 1967, and has subsequently become regarded as a blues and soul classic. According to Etta James in her autobiography Rage To Survive, she heard the song outlined by her friend Ellington "Fugi" Jordan when she visited him in prison.

She then wrote the rest of the song with Jordan, but for tax reasons gave her songwriting credit to her partner at the time, Billy Foster.



[ Lyrics: I'd Rather Go Blind by Ellington Jordan ]

Something told me it was over
When I saw you and her talkin'
Something deep down in my soul said, 'Cry, girl'
When I saw you and that girl walkin' around

Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy
Then to see you walk away from me, child, no

Whoo, so you see, I love you so much
That I don't wanna watch you leave me, baby
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't wanna be free, no

Whoo, whoo, I was just, I was just, I was just
Sittin here thinkin', of your kiss and your warm embrace, yeah
When the reflection in the glass that I held to my lips now, baby
Revealed the tears that was on my face, yeah

Whoo and baby, baby, I'd rather, I'd rather be blind, boy
Then to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah
Whoo, baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind...