I Can't Turn You Loose
| "I Can't Turn You Loose" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Otis Redding | |
| Language | English |
| Released | 1965 |
| Genre | Soul |
| Length | 2:46 |
| Label | Atco |
| Songwriter(s) | Otis Redding |
"I Can't Turn You Loose" is a song written and first recorded by American soul singer Otis Redding. It was released as the B-side to his 1965 single "Just One More Day". The up-tempo song became a bigger hit on the US R&B chart than its A-side and has become one of Redding's signature songs and often appeared in his live performances.
In 1968, The Chambers Brothers version of this song reached #37 on the Billboard Magazine pop singles chart.
An instrumental version of the song was used by The Blues Brothers in their live performances to introduce "Joliet Jake" (John Belushi) and "Elwood" Blues (Dan Aykroyd). The song is played by the band in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. It did not appear on the soundtrack, but did appear as both the opening and closing tracks on their 1978 album Briefcase Full of Blues and on the soundtrack of Blues Brothers 2000.
Edgar Winter's White Trash recorded the song live on their Roadwork album.
Aretha Franklin recorded the song for her album Aretha (1980).
Etta James had the song on her second live album Etta, Red-Hot & Live (1982).
Jon English covered the song on his live album, Beating the Boards (1982)
The Booker T. & the MG's song "Time Is Tight" is very similar to "I Can't Turn You Loose", sharing the bassline, which was something of a "happy accident". Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Booker T. Jones have all acknowledged that this song inspired "Time Is Tight" in part. Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn are both members of the Blues Brothers Band and Booker T. & The MG's. Booker T. & the MG's were also the Stax house band and collaborated with and played behind Otis Redding on the studio version of this song.
In 1987 Was (Not Was) released a cover version on their album What Up, Dog?.
The song was also covered by The Rolling Stones in concert.
The Philadelphia Phillies play this song over the loudspeakers at Citizens Bank Park immediately following the conclusion of any home victory.
In the summer of 2011 the song was featured in a series of commercials for the CFL on TSN football broadcasts.
Jon Bon Jovi and Lea Michele performed a cover of the song in the 2011 feature film, New Year's Eve.
Drawing from a Blues Brothers show the band performed, the Michigan Marching Band has made this a centerpiece of their annual "Cake" formation. The band now also features the song between the third and fourth quarters of football games at Michigan Stadium. Similarly, the Michigan Hockey Band features an extended version of the song, replete with a coordinated dance and various instrumental solos, between the second and third period of games at Yost Ice Arena.
The University of Louisville band plays an arrangement of this song as the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team runs out onto the court in the KFC Yum! Center before the game and at the start of the second half.
Chart history
| Chart (1965) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Black Singles | 11 |