Use Me (Bill Withers song)
| "Use Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Bill Withers | ||||
| from the album Still Bill | ||||
| Released | 1972 | |||
| Genre | Soul, funk | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | Sussex Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Bill Withers | |||
| Bill Withers singles chronology | ||||
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"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 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.
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 those of higher status, with whom the lover apparently seeks to curry favor, are present—but "when you love me", the singer "can't get enough".
Finally, as the song fades out, the singer admits to being used, but says that "it aint 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 |
Use in popular culture
- The song is the background music that Alice Eve's character puts on in the movie She's Out of My League, for the make-out scene on the couch.
- It was used in the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy when the title character meets a girl at a party.
- It was also used in the movie Any Given Sunday when Dennis Quaid's character returns as the primary quarterback for the Sharks.
- It features in the first episode of the HBO series The Wire, being played during the first scene in Orlando's.
- It was used in American Beauty film and soundtrack
- It was featured in the 1997 film Boogie Nights directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
- It was featured in the trailer for the 2009 film The Soloist directed by Joe Wright.
- It was used in the 2004 film Starsky & Hutch during a three-way make-out session between Owen Wilson, Carmen Electra, and Amy Smart.
Covers
Artists
A variety of artists have covered the song, including:
- Widespread Panic
- Aaron Neville
- Fiona Apple
- Gwar
- Better Than Ezra
- Slash's Blues Ball
- D'Angelo
- Hootie & the Blowfish, on their 2000 compilation album Scattered, Smothered and Covered.
- The House Jacks, a cappella, on their 2007 live album Get Down Mr. President
- Eran James
- Esther Phillips
- Mick Jagger featuring Lenny Kravitz in his third album Wandering Spirit (1993)
- Al Jarreau
- Grace Jones, on her 1981 album Nightclubbing
- Isaac Hayes
- Ike & Tina Turner, on their 1998 album Absolutely The Best
- Jim White (for the 2005 Starbucks compilation album, Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs)
- Kimiko Kasai
- Tenth Avenue North
- Raw Stylus
- Liza Minnelli, on her 1973 album The Singer
- Holly Golightly
- Lindsay Mac
- My Brightest Diamond
- Walter "Wolfman" Washington
- Rick Braun from "Kisses in the Rain" (2001)[6][7]
- Junior Wells
- Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s
- As a duet, Mick Jagger and Lenny Kravitz
- As a duet,[8] Alicia Keys and Rob Thomas
- Ben Harper
- Zoobombs
- Rockapella
- Omar
- UGK on their 1992 album Too Hard to Swallow
References
- ↑ "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 633.
- ↑ The Best of Soul Train Live (booklet). Time Life. 2011.
- ↑ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
- ↑ "RIAA searchable certification database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ↑ "Kisses in the Rain overview". Allmusic.com.
- ↑ "Berks Jazz Fest 2007: Rick Braun & Friends". SmoothVibes.com.
- ↑ "Alicia Keys and Rob Thomas performing for VH1 Save The Music Concert". Dailymotion. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
External links
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