I Can't Quit You Baby

Infobox single
Name=I Can't Quit You Baby
Artist=Otis Rush
A-side=I Can't Quit You Baby
B-side=Sit Down Baby
Released=1956
Format=45
Recorded=summer 1956
Genre=Blues
Length=2:56
Label=Cobra 5000
Producer=Willie Dixon"I Can't Quit You Baby" is a blues standard first recorded by Chicago blues artist Otis Rush, one of the leading exponents of the "West Side Sound." [Herzhaft, Gerard; Harris, Paul; Hanssler, Jerry; Mikofsky, Anton J. (1997). "Encyclopedia of The Blues," (2nd. Sub edition), University of Arkansas Press.] The song, a slow 12-bar blues, was a vehicle for arranger/producer Willie Dixon to launch Rush and Cobra Records, as it was the first single for both. Dixon, Willie; Snowden, Don (1989). "I Am The Blues," Da Capo Press.] In this regards, it was a success, reaching #6 in the Billboard R&B chart in 1956. [Whitburn, Joel (1988). "Top R&B Singles 1942-1988," Records Research, Inc.] In his autobiography, Willie Dixon explained that "I Can't Quit You Baby" was written about a relationship that Rush seemed to be preoccupied with at the time and that Dixon used that to draw out an impassioned performance by Rush. ]

Otis Rush revisited "I Can't Quit You Baby" several times over the years, most notably in 1966 when he recorded the song for the the blues compilation "Chicago|The Blues|Today! Vol. 2" (Vanguard 79217). This version featured an altered arrangement with an unusual turnaround (tonic chord followed by a half-step above the tonic chord) and staccato guitar fills. This is the version on which most cover versions would be based. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers covered it on the 1967 "Crusade" album (Decca SKL 4890/London PS 529). In 1969, Little Milton (Checker 1212) and Willie Dixon (Columbia PC 9987) also covered it. Since then it has been recorded by many blues and other artists. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=73:41 allmusic] ] Otis Rush's original Cobra single "I Can't Quit You Baby" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1994. [ [http://www.blues.org/halloffame/inductees.php4 Blues Hall of Fame Inductees - Classics of Blues Recordings - Single or Album Tracks] ]

Led Zeppelin Cover Version

Song infobox
Name = I Can't Quit You Baby


Artist = Led Zeppelin
Album = Led Zeppelin
Released = January 12, 1969
track_no = 8
Recorded = October 1968
Genre = Blues
Length = 4:42
Writer = Willie Dixon
Label = Atlantic Records
Producer = Jimmy Page
prev = "Communication Breakdown"
prev_no = 7
next = "How Many More Times"
next_no = 9Song infobox
Name = I Can't Quit You Baby


Artist = Led Zeppelin
Album = Coda
Released = November 19, 1982
track_no = 3
Recorded = 1970
Genre = Blues
Length = 4:17
Label = Swan Song
Writer = Willie Dixon
Producer = Jimmy Page
Peter Grant
prev = Poor Tom
prev_no = 2
next = Walter's Walk
next_no = 4Another version, well known rock fans is by English band Led Zeppelin. Their version is the penultimate song on their 1969 debut album "Led Zeppelin". Their rendition begins with a long, drawn out cry from Plant, and leads into a rolling riff on which Jimmy Page improvises solos. John Paul Jones provides solid backing, and John Bonham displays the flair for which he is famous. Some have noted that Page's guitar parts sound similar to his guitar solo in "Heartbreaker".

The band regularly performed "I Can't Quit You Baby" live at Led Zeppelin concerts from 1968 to early 1970.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] Two live versions are included on the "Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions", whilst the group's performance of the song on January 9, 1970 at Royal Albert Hall is available on both "Coda" and the "Led Zeppelin (DVD)" (although for the two releases the song is mixed differently). Robert Plant's a cappella singing of "sometimes I get so worried" at the Royal Albert Hall is reminiscient of Ray Charles' performance of "I Got a Woman" from the album "Ray Charles at Newport".

In 1970, the song was dropped from Led Zeppelin's typical concert lineup as they incorporated material from "Led Zeppelin III" into their shows, with "I Can't Quit You Baby" essentially being replaced by the song "Since I've Been Loving You". It was however revived as part of the "Whole Lotta Love" medley during some Led Zeppelin concerts in 1972 and 1973, sometimes being changed by Oden's Going Down Slow, as can be heard on "How the West Was Won".Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.]

This song was rehearsed by the surviving members of Led Zeppelin for the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary reunion concert in May 1988, but it was not included on the night.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.]

Led Zeppelin parody cover band Dread Zeppelin recorded a version of this song on their album "Un-Led-Ed". The band Queens of the Stone Age released a song titled "You Can't Quit Me Baby" as a play on words to the song.

References