Etta James and Dr. John on the Classic Heartbreak Song Written in Prison: “I’d Rather Go Blind”

“I’d Rather Go Blind” originated out of a heartbreak in prison and a B-side to a single to become a classic Etta James song.

It is difficult to think of a more soulful sound than of Etta James singing “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Her original recording of the song is one of the great classic records. But she also sometimes welcomed someone to sing the song with her on stage. On more than one occasion she joined voices to sing “I’d Rather Go Blind” with the great New Orleans voice Dr. John.

Etta James, who was born on January 25, 1938 and passed away on January 20, 2012, reported in her autobiography that she first heard the song that would become so associated with her while visiting a friend named Ellington “Fugi” Jordan in Chino Prison in 1967. Fugi had written the song while developing his musical abilities in prison.

Fugi, who was born in 1940, passed away on June 18, 2020. There is not a lot on the Internet about him, which is odd for someone who wrote such a classic song as “I’d Rather Go Blind” and who was big in the Fresno music scene. His obituary in the Fresno Bee notes that among other accomplishments, he collaborated with Black Merda on a psychedelic funk track called “Mary Don’t Take Me on No Bad Trip” in 1968. His 1994 CD The Cold-Blooded City They Call the ‘No’  featured the rap song, “The City of Fresno.”

The songwriting credits for “I’d Rather Go Blind” often include Etta James and Billy Foster (of The Medallions) in addition to Fugi’s name. James reported that she helped Fugi finish the song but gave the co-songwriting credit to Foster, her boyfriend and songwriting partner at the time, for tax reasons.

At least one website, however, reports that Fugi denied ever meeting James in prison. Fugi, who spent time in prison for desertion and robbery, said that he had written the song by himself sitting at a piano in San Quentin Prison after a break up with his girlfriend.

Fugi’s original name for the song was “I’d Rather Be a Blind Man.” Below is him singing the song.

Despite the different stories, it is clear that Fugi wrote most or all of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” while in prison, and it is easy to hear the beautiful despair in the lyrics and music. Beyond that, we know James recorded “I’d Rather Go Blind” at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The song appeared on James’s album Tell Mama (1968), having first been released as a B-side in 1967 to the album’s title track song, “Tell Mama.” That’s right, one of the most emotionally heartbreaking popular songs ever recorded originally was a B-side.

Although she is the original and most known singer of the song, it has been covered by many artists such as B.B. King, Marcia Ball, Rod Stewart, Little Milton and Beyoncé for the Cadillac Records film soundtrack. James also participated in an amazing performance of the song where she shared the stage with another person, singer-songwriter Dr. John. Below, Etta James and Dr. John sing “I’d Rather Go Blind” on the Midnight Special TV show in 1975.

I’m not sure who came up with the idea of creating a duet between Dr. John and Etta James on one of James’s classic songs. But the above duet from 1975 clearly made an impact, leading the two to reunite on the song more than a decade later.

Here, Dr. John and Etta James reunited on “I’d Rather Go Blind” in 1987 on the TV show A Blues Session: BB King And Friends.

What is your favorite version of “I’d Rather Go Blind”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (18 Dec. 2011)

    Captain America In case you were too busy planning and then canceling a debate because nobody was going to show up, here are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed. This week’s roundup features some “Best of 2011” lists.

    —– Best of 2011 —–

    Salon listed its 10 Best Movies from 2011.

    Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips selected his top 10 films of 2011.

    Slate listed the best jazz albums of 2011.

    The African-American Film Critics Association named Tree of Life the best film of 2011.

    Time Magazine
    ‘s “Person of the Year” is. . . The Protester.

    Here are 10 movies from 2011 that you may not have seen but should have.

    The Americana Music Association listed its 2011 Top 10 Most Played Albums.


    —– Movies —–

    Where’s the Batsuit when you need it? Christian Bale got a little roughed up in China while trying to visit a dissident in the country.

    Cuban horror spoof Juan of the Dead, satirizes socialism using zombies.

    Poptimal has a review of Tinker Tailor Solder Spy.

    The first trailer for Men in Black III has been released.

    Orsen Welles’s 1942 screenplay Oscar for Citizen Kane went up for auction.

    Here’s an interesting video essay about “the Spielberg face” used in the director’s movies:

    The Screen Actors Guild Award nominations may change predictions for the Oscars.

    Say it ain’t so! Daniel Ruettiger, who inspired the film Rudy, settled w/ the SEC regarding allegations against him.

    Paramount Pictures is tweaking its logo.


    —– Music —–

    No Depression featured a review of a Ryan Adams show in Baltimore.

    Questlove from the Roots listed his top five hip-hop concept albums.

    On Monday, Billy Joel became the first nonclassical musician to be inducted into Steinway Hall.

    In January, Ani DiFranco will release her first album in three years.

    Hasidic Jewish reggae musician Matisyahu announced upcoming changes and shaved.

    The Los Angeles Times reviewed one of Aimee Mann’s annual holiday shows.

    Etta James is terminally ill with chronic leukemia. Since we posted recently Rachel Crow’s version of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” let’s give a listen to James singing her great song.


    —– Television —–

    The FCC ordered TV stations to regulate the volume of loud TV commercials, taking effect Dec. 2012.

    Howard Stern is replacing Piers Morgan on America’s Got Talent.

    Steve Carrell of The Office got snubbed in the Golden Globe nominations. That’s what she said.

    After interviewing the Kardashians and others on her special, Barbara Walters revealed that her “Most Fascinating Person” for 2011 is the late Steve Jobs.

    —– Other Pop Culture News —–

    Joe Simon, the co-creator of Captain America, passed away Wednesday night. Vanity Fair has a nice tribute to Christopher Hitchens, who also passed away in the last week. RIP.

    Ho Ho Ho! Check out these photos from Life magazine of Santa making kids cry. We hope that your wishes come true without any crying in the upcoming holiday weeks.

    What were your favorite pop culture stories of the week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Etta James and Dr. John on the Classic Heartbreak Song Written in Prison: “I’d Rather Go Blind”
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  • I’d Rather Go Blind: Rachel Crow
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    I’d Rather Go Blind: Rachel Crow

    Etta James Last night on The X Factor, 13-year-old Rachel Crow performed as her “save-me song” the classic “I’d Rather Go Blind,” originally recorded by Etta James. The judges, however, were not able to muster the votes to save her against the talented Marcus Canty, who also was in the bottom two. Because the judges could not decide, the total call-in votes made the ultimate decision. Somewhat surprisingly, Crow was sent packing. When the host announced the news, Crow collapsed in tears. Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who cast the final judge vote that sent the decision to the call-in votes, broke down in tears too.

    It was a sad ending on the show for Crow, who was one of the most talented performers on the show and had one of the more interesting back stories, having started out as a neglected crack baby before being adopted into a loving home. Seeing her break down and call out “mommy!” made me wonder whether it was fair that the show had such a low age for contestants, which is lower than the limit on American Idol. Is it fair to put a 13-year-old through this kind of pressure on national television? But I suspect that Crow will be fine and that she will benefit greatly from her experience on the show (a new rumor claims she is already talking to Disney). This morning is another day, and now she can look back on her experience on the show and realize she may be able to follow her dream. How many 13-year-olds get that?

    And in the long run, music lovers may benefit from the fact that her appearances may lead to a long career. Crow’s voice and performances often reflected a much older soul. If you have not been following the show, check out her final performance of “I’d Rather Go Blind” below. Note how she channels her own sorrow about being in danger of leaving the show into the emotional lyrics of the song.

    What did you think of the show and of Crow’s performance? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Etta James and Dr. John on the Classic Heartbreak Song Written in Prison: “I’d Rather Go Blind”
  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (18 Dec. 2011)
  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 12, 2011)
  • Etta James: “Almost Persuaded” (Song of the Day)
  • Springsteen and Vedder Sing “Bobby Jean”
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