Born in Leno, Tennessee, Wright, as a youngster, began singing in the church. In 1956, while still in high school, he joined The Sunset Travelers as one of the lead singers for the gospel group. He later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison a songwriter and manager. Their first pop recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is," a ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. It was issued on Goldwax, the label Wright signed to after leaving his gospel career. It was later determined that Don Robey still had him under a recording contract, due to his gospel group having recorded for Peacock. After his contract was shifted to Don Robey’s Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed. Working with record producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail".
Wright's hits were much more popular in the deep South. His biggest hits were "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (R&B #6, 1965), "Eight Men, Four Women" (R&B #4, 1967) "Ace of Spades" (R&B #11, 1970), "A Nickel and a Nail" (R&B #19, 1971). The remainder of his 17 hits charted higher than #20 on the R&B charts.
However, Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offenses during the mid-1970s, and, despite signing for Hi Records and releasing a series of recordings, his commercial success failed to recover after his release. A continuing drug problem weakened his health and he died from a heart attack, in Mobile, Alabama at age 41.
Wright is among the most remembered voices of soul music, perhaps mostly for being sampled frequently in hip hop music. In 1996, his song, "Motherless Child" was sampled on the Ghostface Killah album Ironman on a song also called "Motherless Child." It and another Wright recording, "Let's Straighten It Out" have been published on Shaolin Soul, a compilation of tracks that have been sampled by the Wu Tang Clan and its members. "Let's Straighten It Out" was sampled in a Wu-Tang Clan song called "America" from the charity compilation album America Is Dying Slowly. "Ace of Spades" was sampled by Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz on a song named "Recognize A Playa".
Johnny Rawls joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s, and played together with Wright until the latter's death in 1980. The band then continued billed as the O.V. Wright Band for another 13 years, and toured and performed with other musicians over this time span. These included B.B. King, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Blues Boy Willie.
I'd Rather Be Blind Crippled And Crazy
O.V. Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standin' my pride, even though I know I can't win
I'm tired of you messin' up my tide
You got yours, let me, let me have mine
I'd rather be blind, cripple and crazy
Somewhere pushin' up daisies
Than to let you break my heart
To break a man's heart, all you need is pain
You've got me so messed up, 'bout to go insane
You break a man's heart and don't say nothin' to him
I keep askin' myself why you wanna do it?
Why you wanna do it?
I'd rather be blind, cripple and crazy
Somewhere pushin' up daisies
Than to let you break my heart
All over again
Why you wanna do it, baby?
Rather be blind, cripple and crazy
Somewhere pushin' up daisies
Than to let you break my heart
All over again
Why you wanna do it, baby?
I keep askin' myself why you wanna do it?
In O.V. Wright's soulful ballad "I'd Rather Be Blind Crippled And Crazy," the lyrics delve into the emotional pain of heartbreak and the desire to escape it altogether. The first verse sets the scene of trying repeatedly to leave a toxic relationship where the singer's pride is at stake. Despite the likelihood of losing, the singer walks away again and again. In the second verse, the lyrics suggest that heartbreak doesn't come from a lack of love, but from the pain that comes with it. The singer feels that he is losing his mind and asks why his partner is causing this pain.
The chorus repeats the title phrase, emphasizing how the singer would rather be dead than have his heart broken again. The alliterative phrase "blind, cripple, and crazy" evokes images of complete disability and powerlessness. The final plea of "why you wanna do it, baby?" conveys frustration and confusion, reinforcing that the singer doesn't understand why his partner is causing him such pain.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'd Rather Be Blind Crippled And Crazy" explore the all-consuming nature of heartbreak and the lengths people will go to escape it. The song's powerful message is further amplified by O.V. Wright's soulful delivery, making it a classic in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Just stepped out, over and over again
I keep leaving you and coming back, hoping things will be different, but they never are.
Standin' my pride, even though I know I can't win
I'm staying strong and keeping my pride, even though I know you're going to hurt me again.
I'm tired of you messin' up my tide
I'm tired of you ruining my life and happiness.
You got yours, let me, let me have mine
You've had your fun with me, now let me have my own happiness.
I'd rather be blind, cripple and crazy
I would rather have physical disabilities than to endure the emotional pain of being with you.
Somewhere pushin' up daisies
I would rather be dead than to continue living with this pain and heartache.
Than to let you break my heart
I would rather die than to let you hurt me again.
All over again
I can't handle going through this pain and heartbreak again.
To break a man's heart, all you need is pain
It only takes one person to cause another person emotional pain and heartbreak.
You've got me so messed up, 'bout to go insane
You have completely destroyed me emotionally and I feel like I'm losing my sanity.
You break a man's heart and don't say nothin' to him
You hurt me and don't even have the decency to apologize or explain yourself.
Why you wanna do it?
I don't understand why you would want to hurt me over and over again.
Rather be blind, cripple and crazy
I would rather be physically disabled than to deal with the emotional pain of being with you.
Somewhere pushin' up daisies
I would rather be dead than to continue living with this pain and heartache.
Why you wanna do it, baby?
I still don't understand why you would want to hurt me so much.
I keep askin' myself why you wanna do it?
I keep wondering why you would want to hurt me over and over again.
Than to let you break my heart
I would rather die than to let you hurt me again.
All over again
I can't handle going through this pain and heartbreak again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES EDWARD SR. HODGES, DARRYL CARTER, DON ROBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@teegrey1606
one of the greatest soul singers of all time
@originalkingalpha5116
Continue to rest in peace, cousin. Your legacy is still thriving and going strong! People yet are discovering your beautiful music. We love you, cuz.🎶✌🏽💯
@m.j.s.whitley5978
Gosh man...this thang is hitting!!! We need a good soul singer like this for this generation!!
@57dogsbody
Man that drum groove is SO funky,never tire of it, brilliant.
@monicamolinaro9446
Another soul Great&Mighty
@untouchables11
One of the best,number 2 guy on Hi Records behind Al Green. Will never be forgotten.
@jerryferko8309
terrific lyrics ............this guy was an unknown giant ..............some folks knew .........but nowhere near enough ............march 12 2021 ..........
@marilynlewis470
I was on the road with O
V in 1966. His female vocalist.
@rayjr62
God Bless O.V..
@dotrobinson2012
Ms Lewis did he ever live in florida?