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Bill Withers — Use Me
Album: Best of
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2459









Released: 1972
Length: 3:39
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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'My friends feel it's their appointed duty
They keep trying to tell me
All you want to do is use me
But my answer, yeah to all that use me stuff
I want to spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
You just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up

My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
He told me that I ought not to let you just walk on me
And I'm sure he meant well
Yeah, but when our talk was through
I said, brother, if you only knew
You'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up

Sometimes, it's true
You really do abuse me
You get me in a crowd of high-class people
And then you act real rude to me
But, oh baby, baby, baby, baby,
When you love me, I can't get enough
I want to spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Girl, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talkin' 'bout you usin' people
It all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're usin' me
'Cause I sure am usin' you to do the things you do'
To do the things you do''
Comments (204)add comment
 deepwoodskev wrote:

Hootie and the Blowfish do a really good cover of this on one of their albums. No, that is not a joke.


Thank You,  I will check it out!
Posted 5 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Imagine rating this any less than a 9
Posted 8 months ago by ed_cardiff    [ Reply ]
Bill Withers is always a 10.  Good stuif!
Posted 11 months ago by MrPou    [ Reply ]
Shit Hot.. 
Posted 11 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Watch "Still Bill" doc!!
Posted 1 year ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
 Skid_Mark wrote:
That drum groove!  James Gadson!  {#Drummer} {#Notworthy}




Check out James playing "Use Me" with Bill, live on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1972.
The epitome of cool cats!
Posted 1 year ago by Nortonbert    [ Reply ]
Pay the drummer whatever he wants!!
Posted 1 year ago by nickferrante858    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:

If pure perfection exists, this is it. The groove, the voice, the lyrics... Wow.
c.


yep. nothing better.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
If pure perfection exists, this is it. The groove, the voice, the lyrics... Wow.
c.
Posted 1 year ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Now there's a song that speaks to the human condition. 9 to 10 today.
Posted 1 year ago by dmiley    [ Reply ]
automatic 10
Posted 1 year ago by walk2k    [ Reply ]
Been listening to this song since high school. I have never, not once turned it off or changed the station. I put it a handful of songs that has never lost its groove for me almost 5 decades later.






















Posted 1 year ago by KudaRey    [ Reply ]
Hootie and the Blowfish do a really good cover of this on one of their albums. No, that is not a joke.
Posted 2 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
the world needs more new music in this style!
Posted 2 years ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
I remember as a little kid in 1973 in California, I was supposed to be taking an afternoon nap, while my mom was in the living room having her afternoon time watching the Merv Griffin Show.  I tuned this song in on my little transistor radio.  I was sitting there in the sunshine, realizing I was hearing something truly great from far away somewhere.  I didn't know who sang it or what it was about, but I knew it was something unusual and great, and a "happening" sound.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Love Bill. Ellis Marsalis, another favorite, died two days later. That spell during early COVID felt god-awful. 
Posted 2 years ago by josolbklyn    [ Reply ]
What a jam.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 skuzzfud wrote:


I was thinking more like Beck might have been influenced. Beck & Bird. Sounds like a good English pub.


I'd have a pint or four there.
Posted 2 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:

It's nice to listen to this great tune and sweeter yet to check the Wikipedia notes to see he still walks the earth.


 RIP Brother Bill - thanks for the grooves, jams, love songs and more! 
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:

I think Mr Andrew Bird may well be a fan of this fine gentleman.  He will be sorely missed.



I was thinking more like Beck might have been influenced. Beck & Bird. Sounds like a good English pub.
Posted 3 years ago by skuzzfud    [ Reply ]
This groove is insane.  Perfect song to get the ol' joints moving.
Posted 3 years ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
I think Mr Andrew Bird may well be a fan of this fine gentleman.  He will be sorely missed.
Posted 4 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
funkalishious!
Posted 4 years ago by yagermeister    [ Reply ]
Another great old tune that sounds even greater with FLACK, great headphones, amp & DAC!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
RIP to a legend! 7/4/38 - 3/30/20
Posted 4 years ago by valroy    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:
It's nice to listen to this great tune and sweeter yet to check the Wikipedia notes to see he still walks the earth.
 One year later, the tune is still great, now bittersweet though. At least we still have his music.
c.

Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
RIP Bill.  Thanks for the great music.
Posted 4 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
Epic recording!
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
Ahhh, the days of Soul Train on TV. 

Back when R&B was still a rocking. 
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 saellig668552 wrote:
this is a real KILLER - sort of the mother of a groove (like f.e. green onions by booker T) - timeless - when you are not moving to this: see your doctor
 
Killer is right! Co-workers beware..........LOUD is the only way to go with this one. Green Onions....YES! 
Posted 5 years ago by shelleymccluskie    [ Reply ]
this is a real KILLER - sort of the mother of a groove (like f.e. green onions by booker T) - timeless - when you are not moving to this: see your doctor
Posted 6 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
Posted 6 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Great song but, now reminds of a Corona commercial. 
Posted 6 years ago by vinylbob    [ Reply ]

So, BillG plays "Human" by RagnBone man, followed by Rebecca's 'station identification' and then this comes on.  Total flashback to this weekend, I literally played these two tracks back to back for friends while drinking.  ROCK ON and FUNK ON!!  Kudos to BnR as always!!  Long Live RP!!

And this is a 10 for me.  The groove, the voice, the fact that I've had the exact same sentiment in my past.  Timeless and classic and just freaking awesome (and the entire album "Still Bill" is freaking awesome....we need a few more BW tracks on here)

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Bill 'The Lung' Withers has no equal, period. This may be his very best song, of many excellent ones. The voice, the lyrics, the groove, all mesh perfectly. Lenny and Mick's cover is also excellent, but I can't give a cover a higher rating than the original, unless the original really sucked and the coverer rescued it. Clearly not the case here. c.
 
YES SIR, FLAWLESS   (ALSO TIMELESS GROOVE   : )
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
That drum groove!  James Gadson!  {#Drummer} {#Notworthy}
Posted 7 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
word
Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
So very much love Bill Withers.
Posted 8 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
I really love this, but I think I love Mick Jagger and Lenny Kravitz's version more.
Posted 8 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
{#Music} 
if it feels this good getting used, you just keep on using me, until you use me up
Posted 8 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
I've always loved the way he sings: use me "Öpp"
Posted 9 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
Flawless.
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Now this is my idea of something excellent completely differnt!

Thanks Bill! 
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
I was way too busy to stop and say  YESSSS !
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
Man--hard to believe there was a time that a song this good was on the RADIO.

 
Came on AM  radio ... WLS Chicago all the way way up to Northern Ontario... Came on between Tull  and Floyd or sometimes after Sly and before Joni.
Amazing time, really. Early 70s !
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
But, oh baby, baby, baby, baby, I just can't get enough of Master Withers!  Each of his songs excellent every time
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:


Ain't no Sunshine got my attention when it first came out. We need to hear that on RP

 
It's on the playlist and has been played, last time was about three weeks ago.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Real cool for cats tune, yeah dig it man! Also love the Grace Jones cover!!  {#Cool}
Posted 10 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
Man--hard to believe there was a time that a song this good was on the RADIO.
Posted 10 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:
So WHY is  "Ain't NO Sunshine" not begin played??....  Summer of '71

 
Definitely a classic of classics. Have any of you heard Jacqui Naylor's version? Very smoky and sultry.

https://youtu.be/MaIgoYR2qMU 
Posted 10 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
groovyicious
Posted 10 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Ain't this just about the freakiest groove, STILL? Can you remember, or imagine, how IT BLEW COUNTLESS MINDS BACK IN THE DAY

 

Ain't no Sunshine got my attention when it first came out. We need to hear that on RP
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
{#Drummer} 7 >>>>>> 8
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 Buddikat wrote:
Dang! I am no musician, but I believe that drummer is what one would call "tight." I don't hand out the "10's," but this one got it for me....{#Notworthy}
 

 
Yeah.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcFaVfTDWcs


Posted 11 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Ain't this just about the freakiest groove, STILL? Can you remember, or imagine, how IT BLEW COUNTLESS MINDS BACK IN THE DAY
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
The funky train has arrived!  That growling piano gets my hips moving .....
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
yes indeed..........{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}{#Heartkiss}{#Hug}{#Bananasplit}{#Jump}{#Pray}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
I can't believe no one has mentioned the Hootie and the Blowfish version, yes them! It is actually really good believe it or not!{#Lol}
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
BADA$$  {#Devil_pimp}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
Classic sexy groove. {#Notworthy}   

{#Arrowd} spot on. definitely 'in the pocket'
Posted 11 years ago by Isabeau    [ Reply ]
Dang! I am no musician, but I believe that drummer is what one would call "tight." I don't hand out the "10's," but this one got it for me....{#Notworthy}
 
Posted 11 years ago by Buddikat    [ Reply ]
I know Mr. Withers didn't invent funk, but, baby, he pushed it to the edge of the envelope.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Bill 'The Lung' Withers has no equal, period. This may be his very best song, of many excellent ones. The voice, the lyrics, the groove, all mesh perfectly.
 
Bump.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Whew.  What. A. Song.     A 10 fersure.

{#Notworthy}
Posted 12 years ago by dingusbother    [ Reply ]
that is what you call a "serious groove."
Posted 12 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Wow!

Remember when R&B was actually R&B?

All we got now is rap. wow.
Don't have a cow.
Farmer uses a plow.
I saw Jones & Dow.
Batman goes pow.
Posted 12 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 fatcatjb wrote:
this song has aged very well
 

1972!!!  Forty years!
Posted 12 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Man, I haven't been used up in a while...
Posted 12 years ago by Bobert_ParkCity    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:
So WHY is  "Ain't NO Sunshine" not begin played??....  Summer of '71
 
A fine tune, to be sure!
Posted 12 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 fatcatjb wrote:
this song has aged very well
 
{#Clap} I think so, too!
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Yes!
Posted 12 years ago by tallboy1968    [ Reply ]
I got my technique down and everything. I don't be ticklin or nuthin.  

Posted 13 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Mmmm it feels good gettin' used.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
So WHY is  "Ain't NO Sunshine" not begin played??....  Summer of '71
Posted 13 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
I love this tune and this singer, but when Mick came out with his version done with Lenny Kravits on guitar and backing vocals, this was totally eclipsed for me.
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
One of the prime funk beats.  
Posted 13 years ago by HearsayDave    [ Reply ]
 Every single time I hear this song, I am taken back to a brief snippet of time, northern Ohio in the summer, probably 1972, sharing what was alleged to be red dirt marijuana (Terry Southern out of context?) and this song on the radio. Probably WMMS. I guess it was pretty good stuff to have emblazoned this song so deeply. Great song, regardless of the context.
Posted 13 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
this song has aged very well
Posted 13 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
'72? No shit! Great song!
 
Not only was it '72 it was so overplayed on the radio at the time.  But it's still a great song.

Posted 13 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Oh Yeah! now sprinkle in a little Marvin Gaye and Al Green...
Posted 13 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
HELLLZZZ YEEEAAAHHH!!!!

(yeesh, kids today, heh)
Posted 14 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
'72? No shit! Great song!
 
Wow. Never heard of this guy. This is holding up quiet nicely. I just assumed it was a new band.
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Soooul Traaaain.....{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Wave}
baby, baby, baby, babeeee....i can't get enough
Posted 14 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
Simply crispy...... {#Cool}

MY BROTHER...SIT ME RIGHT DOWN AND TALK TO ME......................
Posted 14 years ago by Chazar    [ Reply ]
9? wtf? someone hijacked me. it's a 10.
Posted 14 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
A classic. I loved this then, and I love it now. Still fresh.
Posted 14 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]

'Still Bill': Documenting A Soul Icon


Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 cafortier wrote:
Surprises me that RP wont play Robert Randolph on here.  Submitted a few songs and they all got sorried.  {#Stupid}
 
 

I love Robert Randolph too! Should be played here!
Posted 14 years ago by philipsaven    [ Reply ]
'72? No shit! Great song!
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]

love this! so true!


Posted 15 years ago by buzmaggie    [ Reply ]
Check out "Still Bill" the movie if you get a chance. Bill Withers is an amazing, humble, funny, talented man. :)
Posted 15 years ago by voicers    [ Reply ]
Surprises me that RP wont play Robert Randolph on here.  Submitted a few songs and they all got sorried.  {#Stupid}

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Ben Harper & Robert Randolph at the Mangy Moose
Robert Randolph at the Mangy Moose
Ben Harper Mangy Moose
 
Later that night....
 
August 17, after the Jackson Hole Music Festival had officially ended, Robert Randolph and Ben Harper wound up at the Mangy Moose Saloon, in Teton Village where they were probably staying (and where the festival was). The band started playing this Bill Withers classic, and Ben was cajoled into joining them onstage by that guy on the left in the last photo... Ben's drummer, Oliver Charles. The guy in the Innocent Criminals jacket down front is Jason Yates, Ben's keyboard guy. I think Oliver also requested the song... After Ben sang a few lines, Robert Randolph got up and sang the next few, then grabbed a spare guitar. Ben soon got off stage and Robert continued for a few minutes as the band and he messed around. It sounded great but that band was pretty sharp to begin with! Kaupmees and I had stopped in the night before and the band was into its hokey comedy song stuff so we left, but once they got back to being a cover band they were really good and pulled out a few non-standards.
 
I should add that I talked to both of them, Robert before this little stunt and Ben after. Some people were getting their pictures taken with them but for some reason I didn't bother. But let me just say they reinforce my theory that Nice Guys DO Finish First. At least in the music biz. Both were extremely gracious, happy to talk about the show and how welcomed they felt. Both of them were just really sweet and not rock starry at all.
 


Posted 15 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
Great song!!!!  Perfect for a Friday morning.
Posted 15 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
This song is f'n awesome.
 
bump and agreed; can't say it any better.

Posted 15 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Singing pretty loudly in my office - good thing no one else is around yet!  Great way to get moving on a slow Friday morning...
Posted 15 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
Greatness.
Posted 15 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
 Jac wrote:
"superlative" Dang, another big word! {#Dance}
 

Just another sesquipedalian
Posted 15 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
I wonder if Gnarls Barkley was influenced by Bill Withers  - I can definitely hear a similarity. 
Posted 15 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
 okelle wrote:
One of my favorites on RP. Is the rest of the album as good?
 

It is a friggin' GREAT album.  BUY IT!
Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Yummy.  Great ol' classic for a dull, breezy Sunday afternoon here in the northeast.
Posted 16 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Bill used to be a st st st utterer. Love his so so so song.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
just danced to this at a bar a few weeks ago with a friend of a friend's husband who cuts a mean rug. made me look good. but then again, this song...hard not to.

always loved this.

even lenny and mick's version, which i know is just crap in comparison, but i still like it.

wished i could have seen bill live. that would have been fantastic.
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Ben Harper & Robert Randolph at the Mangy Moose
Robert Randolph at the Mangy Moose
Ben Harper Mangy Moose
 
Later that night....
 
August 17, after the Jackson Hole Music Festival had officially ended, Robert Randolph and Ben Harper wound up at the Mangy Moose Saloon, in Teton Village where they were probably staying (and where the festival was). The band started playing this Bill Withers classic, and Ben was cajoled into joining them onstage by that guy on the left in the last photo... Ben's drummer, Oliver Charles. The guy in the Innocent Criminals jacket down front is Jason Yates, Ben's keyboard guy. I think Oliver also requested the song... After Ben sang a few lines, Robert Randolph got up and sang the next few, then grabbed a spare guitar. Ben soon got off stage and Robert continued for a few minutes as the band and he messed around. It sounded great but that band was pretty sharp to begin with! Kaupmees and I had stopped in the night before and the band was into its hokey comedy song stuff so we left, but once they got back to being a cover band they were really good and pulled out a few non-standards.
 
I should add that I talked to both of them, Robert before this little stunt and Ben after. Some people were getting their pictures taken with them but for some reason I didn't bother. But let me just say they reinforce my theory that Nice Guys DO Finish First. At least in the music biz. Both were extremely gracious, happy to talk about the show and how welcomed they felt. Both of them were just really sweet and not rock starry at all.


Posted 16 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
"superlative" Dang, another big word! {#Dance}
Posted 16 years ago by Jac    [ Reply ]
superlative in every respect!
{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}


Posted 16 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
Dancing in the aisles! Oops, I am at home, dancing on the couch!! {#Bananajam}
Posted 16 years ago by Jac    [ Reply ]
It just doesn't get any better than this.  :swoon:
Posted 16 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
keep on using me til you use me up. love it.
Posted 16 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Great funky jam. Reminds me of Stevie Wonder's stuff back in the day. I have this "Best of" CD and think it's great stuff. It doesn't get any better than "Ain't No Sunshine", by Bill.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
If you haven't heard it, check out Mick Jaggers' version of this with Lenny Kravitz. Much more edgy and angry, and emotional...I think. And just as funky if not more so.
Posted 16 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
WOW!....reminds me of the early 70's Halifax NS scene. ..ahhhhhhhhh
Posted 17 years ago by Chinto    [ Reply ]
I love how integral this song feels, like a moment of your life put to music. I think we've all had times where we made mistakes, in relationships or in other places, but we kept to them because they were *our* mistakes.
Posted 17 years ago by Dirktooth    [ Reply ]
God! I am so enmeshed with this song!
Posted 17 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
This song is f'n awesome.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Absolutely love his work!
Posted 17 years ago by RiverofJazz    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
This song is awesome!! Funky! The ONLY reason that it is not a 10 is because the Lenny Kravitz version is actually BETTER! Seldom in the world of the Mugro Doctrine on Covers do we find that the cover is better than the original, but IT IS.
I'm with you on the cover issue, Mugro, but I confess, I've never heard Lenny's version, so now with your recommendation, I must seek it out!
Posted 17 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
Excellent version of this song used by O. Stone on any givien sunday ... Excellent ,,, just like the song .... Oscar
Posted 17 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
Bill 'The Lung' Withers has no equal, period. This may be his very best song, of many excellent ones. The voice, the lyrics, the groove, all mesh perfectly. Lenny and Mick's cover is also excellent, but I can't give a cover a higher rating than the original, unless the original really sucked and the coverer rescued it. Clearly not the case here. c.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
oldslabsides wrote:
freakin' classic.
yeah, what you said!!
Posted 17 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that I recognize is probably pretty good, but does nothing for me. Never have liked it, for some reason.
Posted 17 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]