Friday's Grief Song, 9.15.23

"Now I know I only hurt myself..."

Ok ok so this song for me is so much more about the feel of the whole piece, Sam Cooke’s voice, the musical arrangement, and the lilting sultry swing of it, than the lyrics, which bear critique- controlling and manipulative a bit as well as slut shamy? Despite that, I think this song captures a certain grief tinged feel of losing a lover and the longing soaked missing of that one.

Also, according to Genius.com

Though Sam Cooke claims sole writing credit on this classic 1962 track, “Bring It On Home To Me” is actually a re-working of Charles Brown and Amos Milburn’s 1959 single “I Want To Go Home.” Sam’s track keeps the gospel flavor and the call-and-response vocals, but swaps Brown’s vaguely spiritual lyrics for a decidedly secular love story.

Listen to the original I Want To Go Home

and Sam Cooke’s revised version of Bring it on Home to Me

Let me know what you think below! I love them both.

Bring it on Home to Me
Written by: Sam Cooke
1962

If you ever change your mind
About leaving, leaving me behind
Baby, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)

I know I laughed when you left
But now I know I only hurt myself
Baby, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)

I'll give you jewellery and money, too
That ain't all, that ain't all I'll do for you
Oh, if you bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)

You know I'll always be your slave
'Til I'm buried, buried in my grave
Oh honey, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)

One more thing
I tried to treat you right
But you stayed out, stayed out at night
But I forgive you, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me

Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah) yeah

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