Use Me (Bill Withers song)

"Use Me"
Single by Bill Withers
from the album Still Bill
B-side "Let Me in Your Life"
Released August 1972
Genre Soul, funk
Length 3:45
Label Sussex Records
Writer(s) Bill Withers
Bill Withers singles chronology
"Lean on Me"
(1972)		 "Use Me"
(1972)		 "Friend of Mine"
(1973)

"Use Me" is a song, composed and originally recorded by Bill Withers, which was included on his 1972 album Still Bill. It was his second-biggest hit in the United States, released in September 1972, and later reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1] "Use Me" also peaked at No. 2 on the soul chart for two weeks.[2] Withers performed the song on Soul Train on November 4, 1972.[3] Billboard ranked it as the No. 78 song for 1972.[4] The song was certified Gold by the RIAA.[5] The song is noted for its repeated bass figure which is heard alongside a complex rhythm in the percussion.

The song was included by Grace Jones, on her 1981 album Nightclubbing and was subsequently released by her as a single.

Content

The singer complains about the advice of friends, who seem to have made it "their appointed duty" to talk the singer out of a romantic relationship that they see as one-sided, and where the singer is "used". But the singer has no doubt in wanting things to continue as they are, and implies that it is pleasurable enough to be "used" in that fashion that being "used up" completely would be welcome.[6]

The singer goes on to describe telling a relative who urges resistance to being "walked on," that envy for the singer's circumstances would follow from really comprehending them.

The singer admits that some of the lover's behavior is abusive—for example, snubbing him when with those of higher status. Finally, as the song fades out, the singer admits to being used, but says that "it ain't too bad the way you're using me, 'cause I sure am using you to do the things you do."

Chart positions

Chart (1972) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening 14
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles 2
Canada RPM Hot Singles 33

The song was used in several movies, either in the background or heavily featured, including:

Covers

Artists

A variety of artists have covered the song, including:

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 633.
  3. ↑ The Best of Soul Train Live (booklet). Time Life. 2011.
  4. ↑ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
  5. ↑ "RIAA searchable certification database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  6. ↑ Withers, Bill. ""Use Me" Lyrics". Metro Lyrics. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Kisses in the Rain overview". Allmusic.com.
  8. ↑ "Berks Jazz Fest 2007: Rick Braun & Friends". SmoothVibes.com.
  9. ↑ "Alicia Keys and Rob Thomas performing for VH1 Save The Music Concert". Dailymotion. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
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