Use Me (song)
Encyclopedia
"Use Me" is a song composed and originally recorded by Bill Withers
, and was included on his 1972 album Still Bill
. It is his second-biggest hit in the United States
, released in September 1972, and later reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA.
The singer goes on to describe telling a relative who urges resistance to being "walked on", that envy for the singer's circumstances would follow from really comprehending them.
The singer admits that some of the lover's behavior is abusive -- for example, snubbing him when those of higher status, whom the lover apparently seeks to curry favor with, are present -- but "when you love me", the singer "can't get enough".
Finally, as the song fades out, the singer admits to being used, but says that "it aint too bad the way you're using me, 'cause I sure am using you to do the things you do."
, for the make-out scene on the couch.
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
, and was included on his 1972 album Still Bill
Still Bill
Still Bill is the second studio album by American soul musician Bill Withers, released in 1972 by Sussex Records. It includes two hit singles: "Lean on Me", which is number 205 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and went to number 1 on the Billboard pop and R&B charts in summer of...
. It is his second-biggest hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, released in September 1972, and later reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Content
The singer complains about the advice of friends, who seem to have made it "their appointed duty" to talk the singer out of a romantic relationship that they see as one-sided, and where the singer is "used". But the singer has no doubt in wanting things to continue as they are, and implies that it is pleasurable enough to be "used" in that fashion that being "used up" completely would be welcome.The singer goes on to describe telling a relative who urges resistance to being "walked on", that envy for the singer's circumstances would follow from really comprehending them.
The singer admits that some of the lover's behavior is abusive -- for example, snubbing him when those of higher status, whom the lover apparently seeks to curry favor with, are present -- but "when you love me", the singer "can't get enough".
Finally, as the song fades out, the singer admits to being used, but says that "it aint too bad the way you're using me, 'cause I sure am using you to do the things you do."
Use in popular culture
The song is the background music that Alice Eve's character puts on in the movie She's Out of My League(2010)She's Out of My League
She's Out of My League is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed by Jim Field Smith and written by Sean Anders and John Morris. The film has, in its starring roles, Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve, and was produced by Jimmy Miller for Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks and filmed in Pittsburgh,...
, for the make-out scene on the couch.
Artists
A variety of artists have covered the song, including:- Widespread PanicWidespread PanicWidespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
- Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
- Fiona AppleFiona AppleFiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success...
- Better Than EzraBetter Than EzraBetter Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
- Coolbone
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- The Shoeless Revolution
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