715 – Etta James – I'd rather go blind (1968)

Escrita por Ellington Jordan e Billy Fosters, foi gravada por Etta James em 1967 e lançada em 1968 no compacto que tinha Tell Mama no Lado A.

Ela ouviu um pedaço da canção do amigo Ellington quando ela o visitou na prisão. Ela então escreveu o resto da canção com ele e deu os créditos pro marido dela, por questão de impostos, Billy Foster.

Chegou ao número 5 dos charts de R&B e número 23 dos charts pop americanos.

Foi regravada por Rod Stewart, B.B. King, Beyoncé Knowles, Mich Hucknail, entre outros.

A letra:

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

Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy,
Than 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
Sitting 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
Than to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah
Whoo, baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind boy
[Fade out:] Baby, baby, baby...

A versão de Etta James:

A versão de Rod Stewart:

A versão de Beth Hart e Jeff Beck: