Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 75^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 75^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “I’d Rather Go Blind”, performed by 🎙 Etta James.

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“I would rather, I would rather go blind boy / Than to see you walk away from me child.”  Those lyrics hail from the timeless, 🎙 Etta James classic, 🎵 “I’d Rather Go Blind”.  The late, great blues and R&B musician earned a surefire hit with this gem from her 1968 album, 💿 Tell Mama. “Something deep down in my soul said, ‘Cry girl,’ / When I saw you and that girl, walking around.” Intriguing.

From my perspective, thematically, “I’d Rather Go Blind” appears to be about a defunct romantic relationship.  Early on, all indications suggest that that’s the direction Etta James (and her songwriters) were opting for.  “Something told me it was over,” she sings on the first line of the first verse, continuing, “When I saw you and her talking.” That adds up perfectly to an ended relationship.  However, throwing in lyrics like child and even the repeated use of boy open up “I’d Rather Go Blind” to a potentially different interpretation. This is owed to the clever nature of the lyrics.  The other interpretation is perhaps a mother is losing her son and that’s what’s made her feel sad.  The ‘alternate’ perspective is possible by all means, though personally, I find it to be a slight stretch.  Regardless, songs like “I’d Rather Go Blind” that offer multiple possibilities are truly brilliant.

Final Thoughts 💭

Beyond the clever lyrics, everything else about Etta James’ classic is exceptional as well. James sings 🎵 “I’d Rather Go Blind” with incredible expression and nuance.  Listening to it, it’s clear, there was and will only be ONE Etta James.  Furthermore, the music – the arrangement and production – are simply beautiful.  The vintage soul aesthetic is idiomatic of 1960s blues/soul, a sound that’s so refreshing to hear as music in general sounds so different in the 2020s.

🎙 Etta James • 💿 Tell Mama • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1968

Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 75 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, UMG Recordings, Inc.]