LISTENING IN: Give it up for Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt has been turning out tunes for over 50 years and earned enough plaudits to warrant a long Wikipedia page. There’s been 13 Grammys – most recently in 2022 – induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and chart-topping success, which didn’t materialize until well into her career.

For all that, my favourite song without a doubt hailed from her second album in 1972: “Give It Up or Let Me Go” a lively, bluesy romp wrapped in a Dixieland veneer (complete with clarinet and trombone), underpinned by Raitt’s trademark slide guitar.

An early ode to female empowerment, and vulnerability, the song is a Raitt concert staple and has been covered by the likes of Linda Ronstadt and the (Dixie) Chicks, the latter even bringing Raitt onstage for cameos.

So, without further ado, please give it up for the original, Bonnie Raitt.

Lyrics

Well, I told you pretty baby, such a long time ago
If I found you with another, well I’d walk right out your door
Woh, you might call me crazy, but there’s one thing you should know
Oh honey, if you want me to love you
You’ve got to give it up or let me go

I know it’s useless to be jealous, I couldn’t tire you if I tried
But when I think of you messing behind my back
It brings a pain I just can’t hide
Oh baby, I’ve been true to you
And if I can make that sacrifice, honey you can do it too

Well, you come home drunk and nasty, you won’t tell me where you’ve been
Just when things are nice and sweet, you go back out again
Why do you wanna mess up a good thing?
I’m gonna find me another man, one who wants to give me everything