Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)

Subject: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,bluespoppa
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 09:38 AM

is there a great Freddie King's fan who will want to write the lyrics of this unique song to me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Morticia
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 09:48 AM

Something told me it was over
When I saw you and him talking.
Something deep down in my soul said, "Cry, boy"
When I saw you and him out walking.
I would rather, I would rather go blind, girl,
Than to see you walk away from me, child,
So you see, I love you so much,
I don’t want to see you leave me, baby.
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't want to be free.

I was just, I was just sitting here thinking
Of your kiss and your warm embrace, child,
When the reflection in the glass
That I been held to my lips now, baby,
Revealed the tears I had on my face.
I would rather, I would rather be blind, child,
Than to see you walk away from me.
Baby, baby, baby, I would rather go blind
Than to see you walk away from me.


This the one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 10:05 AM

aah, always means Etta James to me. Knew you were a woman of taste, Morty!
RtS (one of the ruins Metaxas knocked about a bit)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: alanabit
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 03:18 PM

Yes, Etta James is very much associated with the song and it's a great version. My personal favourite was sung by Christine Perfect (later McVie), who recorded it with Chicken Shack in the sixties. She quite deliberately took all of the emotion out of her voice and tried to make it sound neutral - which is exactly the way you try to talk when your life has been shattered by something. Not everyone's taste perhaps, but I found it spine chilling.

Subject: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,Beach
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 06:07 PM

The lyrics 'bluespoppa' is after star off with:

"Well I travelled the highway In a big limousine, In the hours of darkness...........

I don't know whether he wrote it or it was written by one of the guys in the band. It was originally on the album just before TEXAS CANNONBALL.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,Beach
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 06:10 PM

It was written by Leon RUSSELL!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: mzkitty
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 11:30 PM

"Rather Go Blind" was written by Leon Russell?? If that's the case, I'm gonna love that song (that I already REALLY love) even more! I also am familiar with the Etta James version and the Christine McVie...but I was thinking that I remembered Bonnie Bramlett do it too...now that would add up if Leon Russell wrote it because those two did some -great stuff together! (Have you ever heard Bonnie Bramlett sing "Superstar" that she and Leon co-wrote??)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 01:41 PM

I love the Etta James version, haven't heard the Freddie King version and I'm a little surprised that Leon wrote it, but shouldn't be. He has written some wonderful stuff. How about "A Song For You"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Margaret V
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 10:53 PM

It seems like we're talking about two different songs here. I'm not familiar with the Freddie King version, but the lyrics offered up by Beach aren't lyrics from the Etta James version. Also, her version was written by Foster and Jordan. Perhaps someone familiar with the Leon Russell lyrics could post them. Meanwhile I'll refresh the thread we had on the Etta James version back in October. Margaret

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,Beach
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 12:04 AM

The tune Etta James sings is called I'd Rather GO Blind and was written by Jordan & Foster!

The Freddie King tune is called I'd Rather BE Blind and was written by Leon Russell. IT is the song that 'bluespoppa' and was actually on the TEXAS CANNONBAL album originally. However, I've had a re-issue of that particular album on CD and while it states on the cover that the track is on the album - IT ISN'T!

They are two completely different songs!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Margaret V
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 09:45 AM

Right. So the question is, does bluespoppa still need the lyrics? If so, and if you know them all, Beach, could you post them? And if you don't know them, can anyone else find them? I had a cursory look at various Leon Russell sites but didn't turn up the lyrics, so it appears to be an unanswered query as yet. Margaret

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 10:43 AM

Beach, I am glad my CD copy of 'Cannonball' isn't the only one that doesn't have it even though it is listed as a track. I mentioned this mystery in a previous thread on this song. Leon Russell also produced the album. I have a cassette copy of the original vinyl somewhere, but finding it might be a problem.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 11:05 AM

I finally tracked down that original thread - it would not come up in a forum search. It was bluespoppa who asked the question there as well, but had no joy. I will make an effort to find that cassette and transcribe the song if no one else can supply.

Previous thread

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 08:05 PM

bluespoppa, I had a serious search this morning for the cassette of 'Texas Cannonball' but unfortunately have been unable to locate it. Most likely I gave it away when I acquired the CD, but I can't remember doing so. At least, scrabbling through a huge bin of assorted cassettes gathered over decades was not a waste of time from my perspective because I found several interesting things that I had forgotten about entirely. Sorry I can't be of help to you.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: Beach
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 02:32 AM

Yeah guys! Sorry, but I don't know all the lyrics either! We were looking for them back in 1994 when we had an urge to do the tune in BEACHHEAD as well, but were never able to turn up the song then either!

That other tune that everybody keeps coming up with was also done by Koko Taylor a while back too!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,bluespoppa
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 05:51 AM

Sorry I'm late.Unfortunately I can enter to this great site and this forum rarely. Thank you very much for your efforts.I play (maybe I try to play ??...)the Blues in my home country and I'm gettin' crazy when I'm forced to understand the words of this great language.. It most expresses all you feel.Many times I look for a help to understand the lyrics that they're known little in our music market.Especially for my country ,to find a blues music and its lyrics is a toture.I believe many people try to create miracles with working and living the blues here.I can only reach the extremes like this way.So this is the cause of which I insist on this subject.All over the world I belive there are a lot of people like me.Thanks again to all people who seperate their times to my question . bluespoppa [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:20 AM

Two different songs, Freddie didn't do the Etta version.
Leon's song was also done by Wet Willie.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'D RATHER GO BLIND (from Etta James)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 12:50 PM

I found a recording at YouTube and checked this transcription carefully. There is another copy here (same audio, different images).

Note the title is I'D RATHER GO BLIND, not I'D RATHER BE BLIND.

I'D RATHER GO BLIND
Bill Foster, Ellington Jordan
As sung by Etta James

Something told me it was over (yeah)
When I saw you and her talking.
Something deep down in my soul said, "Cry, girl" (cry, cry.)
When I saw you and that girl walking, now.

Ooh, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy,
Than to see you walk away from me, child, no.
Ooh, so you see, I love you so much, that I don't want to watch you leave me, baby.
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't want to be free, no.

Ohh, ooh! 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, babe, (yeah, yeah)
Revealed the tears that was on my face, yeah.

Ooh, and baby, baby, I'd rather, I'd rather be blind, boy,
Than to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah.
Ooh, baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind, now.…[fade]

[This song has also been recorded by Beyoncé, Chicken Shack, Clarence Carter, Dr. John, Elkie Brooks, Fleetwood Mac, Koko Taylor, Marcia Ball, Mary Coughlan, Paul Weller, Rod Stewart, Ruby Turner, and many others.]

Subject: Lyr Req: I'D RATHER BE BLIND (from Freddie King)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 01:23 PM

This one isn't on YouTube, but I found it at Yahoo! Music (which allows you a limited number of free plays). There are a few gaps in my transcription, but I don't want to waste my free plays trying to get them!

Note the title is I'D RATHER BE BLIND, not I'D RATHER GO BLIND.


I'D RATHER BE BLIND
Leon Russell
As sung by Freddie King

Well, I traveled the highway. I made the scene.
In miles of darkness, I been out on the street.
I feel so unhappy, sometimes I wanted to die, Lord,
But if I have your sweet, sweet love, I know I'll get by.

This whole world is turning like wheels on a train.
I'll hold onto each moment that it won't come again
Let me tell you, I'm not educated, but it's one thing I know.
That I'd rather be blind than to see you go.

All right, I thank God for a strong woman who knows how to be weak
And to make me feel so good every time she speak.
Oh, the revelation, the revelation in her smile,
It feels so much like in heaven, when I'm … a little while

….whatever you do
When I'm standing beside you, I know we'll get through
There's only one thing, baby, that I want you to know
That I'd rather be blind than to see you go.

Oh, don't leave me, baby, whatever you do
With you standing beside me, I know we'll get through.
There's only one thing, baby, that I want you to know
I'd rather be blind than to see you go.

Let me tell you, now,
Rather be blind than to see you go.
Let me tell you again:
I'd rather be blind than to see you go.


[This song has also been recorded by Curtis Salgado, John Mayall & the Blues Breakers, Wet Willie, and a few others.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,I can't find them either.
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 09:28 PM

The song that was quoted here is not correct. Freddie King did a song named I'd Rather BE Blind (than to see you go). I can't find the lyrics anywhere. I wonder why. Also there isn't any youtube recording. You can find the album the song was on. It's for sale. Good luck on the lyrics and if you do find them please post for the rest of us out here!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 05:45 AM

Guest the song you mentioned is on the thread

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'd Rather Be Blind (Freddie King)
From: GUEST,www.youtube.com/larryfarage
Date: 04 Oct 11 - 11:43 AM

What a beautiful soulful, gospel, blues number written by Freddie King. There is a GREAT cover done by "Wet Willie" on their live "Drippin' Wet" disc.