He is best known for performing in The Allman Brothers Band. He was born and spent much of his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee, before relocating to Daytona Beach, Florida. He and his brother, Duane Allman, developed an interest in music in their teens, and began performing in the Allman Joys in the mid-1960s. In 1967, they relocated to Los Angeles and were renamed the Hour Glass, releasing two albums for Liberty Records. In 1969, he and Duane regrouped to form the Allman Brothers Band, which settled in Macon, Georgia.
The Allman Brothers Band began to reach mainstream success by the early 1970s, with their live album At Fillmore East representing a commercial and artistic breakthrough. Shortly thereafter, Duane was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1971. The following year, the band's bassist, Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle accident very close to the location of Duane's wreck. Their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters became their biggest hit, and Allman pursued a solo career afterward, releasing his debut album, Laid Back the same year. Internal turmoil took over the group, leading to a 1975 breakup. Allman was married to pop star Cher for the rest of the decade, while he continued his solo career with the Gregg Allman Band. After a brief Allman Brothers reunion and a decade of little activity, he reached an unexpected peak with the hit single "I'm No Angel" in 1987. After two more solo albums, the Allman Brothers reformed for a third and final time in 1989, and continued performing until 2014. He released his most recent solo album, Low Country Blues, in 2011, and his next, Southern Blood, is set to be released in 2017.
For his work in music, Allman was referred to as a Southern rock pioneer and received numerous awards, including several Grammys; he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. His distinctive voice placed him in 70th place in the Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". Allman released an autobiography, My Cross to Bear, in 2012.
Allman died in Savannah, Georgia, on May 27, 2017.
It Ain't No Use
Gregg Allman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna leave me
Darlin' I know
Oh, yes, I know
I want to die
No but I
Must let you go
If I knew how
To make you care
Then heart and soul
I try I swear
Oh, but I can see, yeah
Lil' girl you don't love me
It ain't no use
No use
It ain't no sense
Beggin' you to stay
No, it ain't no way
No way
It's just no good
You hurt me so bad
Each and everyday
Everyday
Baby, my love
Ain't what you need
Oh, no I'd beg
And cry and plead
But you can't be true
No honey not you
So, it ain't no use
Loving you
The lyrics of Gregg Allman's song "It Ain't No Use" express a heartbroken man's realization that his lover does not love him as much as he loves her. He knows that he must let her go, but it pains him deeply. The chorus emphasizes the futility of begging her to stay or trying to make her care about him, as she simply does not feel the same way. The verse conveys a sense of desperation as he wishes he knew what to do to make her feel something for him. The song's overall tone is mournful, with the singer resigned to his fate but unable to stop loving the person who has hurt him.
One interesting aspect of "It Ain't No Use" is that it was written by Jerry Williams Jr., a soul songwriter who also wrote hits for artists like Otis Redding and Percy Sledge. Allman's version of the song was released on his 1973 solo album "Laid Back," which also included the hit "Midnight Rider." The album was produced by Allman and Johnny Sandlin, and featured contributions from many other notable musicians, including Jackson Browne and Little Feat's Lowell George. "It Ain't No Use" was one of several covers on the album, which also included songs by Bob Dylan and Willie Dixon.
Another interesting aspect of the song is its use of bluesy guitar riffs and Hammond organ, which give it a classic rock sound that has proven enduringly popular. Allman's vocals are also soulful and emotive, conveying the depth of his pain and frustration. The lyrics themselves are simple but effective, conveying a universal message of heartbreak and loss that many listeners can relate to. Allman's commitment to the material is evident in his passionate delivery, which makes the song feel authentic and convincing.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't no use
It's pointless and futile
You're gonna leave me
You've made up your mind to go
Darlin' I know
My love, I understand
Oh, yes, I know
I am fully aware
I want to die
I feel terrible
No but I
Nevertheless, I
Must let you go
Have to release you from my life
Got to let you go
Have to do it no matter how hard it is
If I knew how
If I could figure out
To make you care
A way to make you care for me
Then heart and soul
With all my might and devotion
I try I swear
I'd make an effort
Oh, but I can see, yeah
However, I understand now that
Lil' girl you don't love me
You don't love me, sweetheart
It ain't no use
It's pointless and futile
No use
There's no point
It ain't no sense
It's irrational and illogical
Beggin' you to stay
Pleading with you to remain with me
No, it ain't no way
No, it's not possible
No way
It's impossible
It's just no good
It's not beneficial nor healthy
You hurt me so bad
You caused me severe emotional pain
Each and everyday
Every single day
Everyday
Daily
Baby, my love
My sweetheart, my affection
Ain't what you need
Is not what you're searching for
Oh, no I'd beg
Oh, no, I'd plead
And cry and plead
And weep and implore
But you can't be true
You cannot be faithful
No honey not you
Not you, dear
So, it ain't no use
So, it's pointless and futile
Loving you
Carrying on with this love for you
Lyrics © GIANT BAUM KAYE MUSIC, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNIE BAUM, BILL GIANT, FLORENCE KAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind