OTIS RUSH - I CAN'T QUIT YOU BABY

I CAN'T QUIT YOU BABY

OTIS RUSH

SONGWRITER: WILLIE DIXON

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: I CAN’T QUIT YOU BABY

LABEL: COBRA RECORDS

GENRE: BLUES

YEAR: 1956

"I Can't Quit You Baby" is a blues standard written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Chicago blues artist Otis Rush in 1956. It was Rush's first recording and became a record chart hit. The song, a slow twelve-bar blues, has been recorded by various artists, including Led Zeppelin, who included it on their debut album.

"I Can't Quit You Baby" was a vehicle for arranger/producer Dixon to launch Rush and Cobra Records, as it was the first single for both. In this regard, it was a success, reaching number six on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records chart in 1956. In his autobiography, Willie Dixon explained that "I Can't Quit You Baby" was written about a preoccupied relationship Rush was having at the time. Dixon used this statement to draw out an impassioned performance by Rush.

“I can't quit you, baby

“But I've got to put you down for awhile

“You know I can't quit you, baby

“But I've got to put you down for awhile

“Well, you messed up my happy home, babe

“Made me mistreat my only child.”

The song is notated in the key of A major in 12/8 time with a "slow blues" tempo. Rush's original version consists of four twelve-bar vocal sections with lead guitar fills. It was Rush's first recording and took place in Chicago around July 1956. Accompanying Rush on lead guitar and vocal are Big Walter Horton on harmonica, Red Holloway on tenor sax, Lafayette Leake on piano, Wayne Bennett on second guitar, Dixon on bass, and Al Duncan on drums.

Well, I can't quit you baby, but I got to put you down for awhile

Well, you know, I can't quit you baby, but I got to put you down for awhile

Well, you know, you messed up my happy home baby, made me mistreat my only child

Yes, you know I love you, baby, my love for you I'll never hide

Oh, you know I love you, baby, my love for you I'll never hide

Yes, you know I love you, baby, well you just my ordered

Size

Well, I'm so tired I could cry, I could just lay down and die

Oh, I'm so tired I could cry, I could just lay down and die

Yes, you know you my only darling, you know you my desire

When you hear me moaning and groaning, you know it hurts me deep down inside

Oh, when you hear me moaning and groaning, you know it hurts me deep down inside

When you hear me holler, baby, oh, you know your my desire.