I Can't Quit You Baby
Otis Rush & Eric Gales Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I can't quit you baby
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

My love for you I can never hide
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

Overall Meaning

The Otis Rush & Eric Gales song I Can't Quit You Baby is a classic blues track about a tumultuous relationship between two people. The song opens with the singer confessing that he can't quit his partner, but he needs to take a break from them for a little while. He goes on to reveal that his partner has caused him to mistreat his child, disrupting his happy home. Despite this, he can't help but love them and he's unable to hide his feelings for them.

The chorus of the song gets more emotional, with the singer expressing his exhaustion and desire for his partner. He's so tired that he could cry and just lay down and die, but he can't escape his feelings for his lover. The song ends with the singer howling in pain, indicating that this relationship is causing him intense emotional distress.

The lyrics of I Can't Quit You Baby are a prime example of the blues genre, as they tell a story of heartbreak and pain that's relatable to many listeners. The song was originally recorded by Willie Dixon in 1956, but it's probably best known for the version recorded by Led Zeppelin in 1969. However, Otis Rush & Eric Gales's interpretation of the song is no less powerful, with their raw, soulful vocals bringing the emotions of the lyrics to life.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I can't quit you baby
I am unable to leave you, my love

But I got to put you down a little while
However, I need to distance myself from you for a short time

Yes you mess up my happy home, babe
Your actions have caused chaos and unhappiness in my life

Made me mistreat my only child
It led me to mistreat my own child, which I regret deeply

Yes, you know I love you babe
You are aware that I feel affection for you

My love for you I can never hide
I will never be able to conceal my love for you

Well, you're just my heart's desire
You are the one my heart longs for

Well, I'm so tired I could cry
I am exhausted to the point of tears

I could just lay down and die
I feel so depleted that I could give up on everything

Yes you know you only once die
Because you're my true love, I would die only once for you

When you hear me moanin' and groanin' babe
When you hear me expressing my pain, honey