I Can't Quit You Baby
Buddy Guy & Otis Rush Lyrics
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But I got to put you down a little while
Well, you know,I can't quit you baby
But I got to put you down a little while
Yes you mess up my happy home, babe
Made me mistreat my only child
Yes, you know I love you babe
Oh you know I love you babe
Ooh my love for you I never hide
Yes, you know I love you babe
Well, you're just my heart desire
Well, I'm so tired I could cry
I could just lay down and die
Whoa I'm so tired I could cry
Ooh I could just lay down and die
Yes you know you only once die
Well, you're just my heart desire
When you hear me moanin' and groanin' babe
You know it hurt me way down inside
Oh when you hear me moanin' and groanin' babe
Oh you know it hurt me way down inside
Yes when you hear me howlin' babe
Ooh, you know you're my desire
In Buddy Guy & Otis Rush's classic blues song "I Can't Quit You Baby," the singer addresses his lover whom he is powerless to leave. He acknowledges that she is causing issues in his home and with his child, yet he can't seem to stay away. The singer's love for his significant other is evident, as he declares that his love for her is something he can never hide. He's so tired that he could cry and even die from this heartache. Despite the pain and difficulties of their relationship, the singer can't help but want his lover above all else. When he moans and groans, it's a clear sign of his suffering caused by the internal turmoil he's experiencing as he tries to maintain his love for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I can't quit you baby
I am unable to part ways with you
But I got to put you down a little while
But I need to distance myself from you for some time
Yes you mess up my happy home, babe
Your actions have disrupted the harmony of my home
Made me mistreat my only child
Your acts have made me mistreat my own child
Yes, you know I love you babe
You are aware that I am devoted to you
My love for you I can never hide
I can never conceal my love for you
Well, you're just my heart desire
You are the one I desire deeply
Well, I'm so tired I could cry
I am immensely exhausted, enough to make me burst into tears
I could just lay down and die
I am so drained that I feel like giving up on life itself
Yes you know you only once die
You are aware that one can only die once, hence I should not overexert myself
When you hear me moanin' and groanin' babe
When you hear me crying and complaining
You know it hurt me way down inside
You know that it is hurting me deeply from within
Yes when you hear me howlin' babe
When you hear me howling in pain
Ooh, you know you're my desire
You know that you are the one I want and need
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@broadcasttttable
Never heard this guy before, I'm 72, and the first sound out of his mouth nails me to the effin wall. Man is the truth.
@rollingstopp
hell yah god damn
@philvigil6128
Wow where u been...the boys in England heard him in the 50s. Must've been stuck on elvis..
@SuperMartin223
He was great. When I got into blues was early 70’s. I thought he had died because he was not part of the touring scene. Strange, because he was one of the best and very influential on others. And he lived until 2018.
I just read on wiki that a 1971 album was not released by the label for some reason and was not released till ‘76 and he didn’t make another till ‘85. He didn’t seem to tour the south. I guess those are reasons he kind of disappeared from the National scene. By ‘85 the music had moved on.
He was mainly big in the late 50’s-early 60’s. Didn’t really get into the blues-rock crossover popularity.
@BeezoHow
Same here! That wail!
“All the feels” was right there! #theblues 🎶🎸
@roberthunerberg1509
I got to see him live in 95 he opened for Page and Plant Sept 13th Friday at the United Center Chicago!!! A good time for all a history lesson for some!!!!
@TheGraveyardDog
It’s almost too damn easy to hear his absolute influence on guys like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton; it’s so obvious to me that it hurts!! This guy takes the term “legend” to new heights. Otis is definitely among the greatest blues legends, easy. 😎
@ripplesr5655
Right on!
@WorldsBeyondYou
I was thinking the exact same thing!
@cm6string
My thoughts exactly. Srv for sure