bill withers - i can't write left handed

[DangerSmoog]

Bill is my favorite musicians of all time it bothers me he's not recognized as much as he should you just feel him connecting to you with his music

[Jizz0h]

One of the most underrated musicians ever. You never mention Bill as one of the greatest. No one can/could reach such a melancholic, but still soulfull vibe with a song. NO one is messing with Mr. Withers!

[rievans57]

This song is one big fat juicy slice of irony.

[queenkimmikim]

i always took this song to be the story of a soldier that lost his right hand and couldn't write home because he was right handed.....i always thought this was so said....and he is trying to get a letter home to defer his brother from having to enlist...i love this song...so symbolic!

[cepierce100]

THE NAM WHAT A WASTE OF YOUNG LIVES I WAS BLESSED TO MAKE IT BACK SAFE!!!!!!!

[MrBigolteddybear46]

I'm left handed. I have a left hand, and I still can't write. I'd consider it more to the resemblance of what most would call (hen scratch) lol.

Thank you Bill Whithers for such a profound message.....

[MrCockSlut]

@MrBigolteddybear46 try using ur right hand maybe? this songs more about war than not being able to write

[hlumelotyala]

2 people dont know how it feels not being able to write left handed, when u have 1 arm

[hlumelotyala]

2 people write left handed, they dont undastnd the pain in this song.

[kaykim1000]

so moving.. heard the John Legend vers first but Bill Withers version is awesome too.

Peace.

[RambleOn1970]

Bill Withers is amazing!!! i also really like the John Legend and the Roots version! its really good!

[ryanKonarsk]

the gate



[crimsonjunk]

a fucking poet

[bobbygnosis]

Funny - I know this track because of Fatboy Slim.

Excellent track.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

[spideymayne]

@bobbygnosis ...Wait -- they remade this? 

[bobbygnosis]

@spideymayne Roots covered it. FatboySlim sampled it. I know of it from something else. People decry hiphop and electro, but I like that I'm exposed to neat music because of sampling. I don't know why I typed that, but I'll leave it.

Cheers.

[Will4of5]

Don't remember hearing this until the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. John Legend & Roots rocked this for ten minutes or so. I love when artists dig into the crates and redo songs I may have missed almost like the original artist. I feel this song.

[blackstar21595]

I found this song cause John Legend and The Roots covered it on the album Wake Up

I came here to pay respect to the original artist

[Stressed2Capacity]

It will take me forever to figure out how this escaped my Bill Withers collection. Even Grandma's Hands can't touch this....this song is AWESOME!!!

Thanks for posting this gem!

[DuoForbidden]

This original is just as powerful as John Legend and The Roots version.

[kpitt1204]

I've know of this song, but oddly enough nver listened to it. I was a kid when it came out, and the title made no sense to me. Like others, thanks to John Legend and the Roots, I listened to it, and now it makes completel sense. So, I thought I would come back to the source and check it out, and now I see how deep this song is, and can't even imagine its impact back when this was released back in the day. Pure poetry for real.

[gotstrongdotcom]

Wow !!! Shame to say that I heard this on the new John Legend Cd where he gave Mr. Withers credit for the song. I love it.

[Gremlin212332]

@gotstrongdotcom Same here...Roots and John Legend put me onto this and im thankful - this by a god damn long shot is better and just a stunning stunning song...

[GhettoBlaster100]

@gotstrongdotcom why is that a shame

[gotstrongdotcom]

@GhettoBlaster100 Because, it has been out for so many years and I am recently hearing it for the first time. I try to stay up on the music from that era, but this one got by me.

[kingzvalet]

"Fighting 4 Peace Is Like" ...

[Rlls234]

GOTTA HEAR JOHN LEGEND AND ROOTS LIVE CONCERT COVER....EPIC.....the guitar solo is astonishing ..

[tower616]

I´M LEFT HANDED !!!!!!!!

[providief]

@tower616 me too (and so are the thumbs up/down i've just noticed)

[theczechstallion123]

Love this song!! awesome!! Made a video of this song in my videos!! Check it out

[Trou6leC]

Heard John Legend speak about this on 106, thought I'd check it out. Glad I did.

[Atomank68]

Anyone doubt that guys like William Harrison and Curt Mayfield spoke truth to the "toothless"? As true in this age of dispairing, seemingly endless war as it was in Vetnam\Cambodia and "Tricky Dick". I say that anyone who's a hankering for war, be ye privileged pisser or plain ol' rock-head, send ye swiftly to the site of hotest blood-cuddling conflict and arm you with nothing more than a pea-shooter. I gurantee you'll change your tune(and more frequently your underwear) in no time flat!!!

[benSOOON]

someone please tell me the chords to this song.

[benSOOON]

someone please tell me the chords to this song

[spideymayne]

This song is incredible. Thanks for uploading.

[TheAudivisioner]

THis is from Bill Withers Live At Carnigie Hall.

Classic soul story.

[Barronlroth]

Cunninlynguists - The Gates

[92Luthien]

"Tell the Reverend Harris to pray for me, Lord

I ain't gonna live

I don't believe I'm gonna live to get much older"

<3

[o1zeidler]

such a soulful song.. brilliant

[RussellAthletics]

I love this song and my first hearing it was just recent on a station in Birmingham,Alabama on 900 Gold Am station that plays Old School R&B songs. I have heard many of Bill Wither's songs but I never heard this one before until recently. Very nice song.

[Wrath2142]

I love how the introduction to the song feels integral to the song itself.

[thomasmoredamian]

We need songs like this more than ever now: Viet Nam was one tragedy: Iraq/Afghanistan is another. When the hell will we and our government wake up to the tragic fate of our dedicated soldiers? Ever?

[bjerkins2000]

My GOD.. Thanks for posting this .. this sing takes me back.. to those years.. Vietman war vets coming home.. some did ,some did not. .

Thanks again.

[farmcountry]

great and beautiful song

[Kedfagan]

Simply beautiful

[ekajnin]

the gates!

[tiana1017]

my dad used to play this song a lot, It reminds me of him and takes me to a special place in my heart. I kept all his old classic records, I have a nice record player too so I can play these beautiful songs

[earlwhite100]

My brother David McKenzie(RIP) was in Vietman when this song came out. I used to play it all the time.

[doublestrokeroll]

Wow.

[rtscott2001]

Heavy funk message soul... mmm... plus he went to Zaire in 74

[MadM4X939]

And I can remember not too long ago, seeing a young guy....with his right arm gone. He just got back (from the war in Vietnam). And I asked him how he was doing, he said he was doing alright now but he had thought he was going to die. He said gettin' shot at didn't bother him. It was gettin' shot that shook him up. and i tried to put myself in his postion......maybe he cried.....maybe he said.......... I can't right left handed.

[MadM4X939]

Bill Withers sais: "A lot of people write songs about wars, [and] government; very social things. But i think about young guys who were like I was when I was young. I had no idea (interest) about any government or politcal things or anything. And i think about those kinda young guys now who all of a sudden somebody comes up, and they're very law abiding, so if somebody tells them to go they just go, they don't ask any questions they just go.

[duhjuce]

juss got back from irack, afcnitstand ..take ur pic

[robertcollin18]

i hope i'm not the young man they tell to "go"...

[mariopascucci]

hello..can someone post here what bill says before singing the song? i don't understand everything and i'd like to know ...thankssss

[Arctisticus]

i've added it to the description

[mariopascucci]

thanks....

[benSOOON]

@Arctisticus do you know the chords to this song?

[Arctisticus]

@benSOOON

sorry i'm afraid i don't

[cmad17]

@benSOOON hey ive been wondering where to find them too. John Legend and the Roots did an immaculate cover of it for WAKE UP! if i do find them ill try to get back to you!

[bzhblues]

Capo on the first fret

A and fast on the D C and E

for the rest....

F# and E

[benSOOON]

@bzhblues that doesn't seem all that complete. especially if trying to translate it over to the piano

[bzhblues]

without the capo it's on Bb

so it's Bb

and the rest

Gm and F 

[frmoak2atl]

@Arctisticus I havent' heard this song in so long, I almost forgot about it. I remember listening to this song when I was very young with some young brothers during the Vietnam war. We would sit in silence listening and thinking about all those who lost their lives and those that were going to lose their lives. No one ever talked when this song played. Thanks for posting.

[sweetsdawson]

To all on this post...by me saying how I feel about this song has helped me put some shit in the pass. Especially over the last several weeks. Thanks to all for the feedback and the tough love. Peace to all Vets from all the Wars.

[1234uz]

Its the gettin shot part tat really sucks Damn Straight Billy

[1234uz]

Little Bill is right war is a drag Thanks Bill and thanks for the post of this song

[sweetsdawson]

Since the Vietnam War has been over for some years now, yet this song is still revelant today. The 2 wars that still rages...this song brought back so many dark memories. Listen to the word...we all had younger brothers or were the younger brothers that did not get out of the draft.

[titosumma]

shame to those who never heard his voice

[ZoraGenin]

That beat...Macy Gray stole it for that song "Demons" that she did with Fatboy Slim.

[Biketoworkplayguitar]

This is one of very few live albums that I have ever heard that actually make you feel like you are there. Although I would have loved to have actually been there.

[baddaboomb]

Excellent comment, you hit the nail on the head there. Love this album, goosebumps man.

[tonystiff]

My god, this guy is crazy... i dont know anybody who have this kind of feelin in his voice. gotta lovin it

[LDean5643]

Definitely one of the most underrated song writers/performers of our time.

[CRAZOLA3]

bill wither's hit this right on the nose this is an instant classic

[hodge1961]

This song is from "Bill Withers live at Carnegie Hall "1973 The whole CD is awesome!!!!!!!

[arcusaurellius]

thanks for the info

[Stickyglasgowbud]

btw, im pure heavy paralletic.

[Stickyglasgowbud]

i just love the comments, to know that when ur hear such music; that we feel the same emotions.

[The1WhoCallsTheShots]

is the bud in glasgow sticky?

[punkjazz28]

love this man, beautiful piece of music

[neuner9]

Does anybody know the chords? Would love to play this song on the guitar or piano.

[dr0d84]

This has some soul

[mintyoreo]

First time I've heard this. I can't believe we went from this to modern-day rubbish, which means nothing and has no soul unlike this real sh.

[raybarn1]

loved this song as a 10 year old. still sounds good!!!!!

[hijklmnop06]

Damn just the title made me think after i realized this is about a war,damn!,b4 my time but i caught it

[Li2303]

When I was younger my dad would put this record on EVERY SUNDAY this and Grandma's hands are songs I loved then without reallu understanding them and I'm 23yrs old now and Bill Withers is still one of my fav artists.

[missbistouri]

A beautiful song and still relevant 40 years later.

[ronaldveneboer]

as text wise you shoud have written on a boy left handed and can't write no more

and then sing a boy who cannot write no more.

[edaz92]

amazing, absolutely amazing!

[babsgerms]

does anybody knows if there is a video from this concert?

[jwern151]

powerful song...timeless too because we can't seem to stop fighting wars

[jinkyjonk]

Love this song.

[aurorablue38]

I can't write left-handed either.

[dresskeep]

awsome / send this to barack obama

[am3155]

Send this to george bush, dick cheney, mitch mcconell, joe lieberman and all the rest of those draft-dodging, chickenhawk s o b's.

[lokijordan]

AMEN!!!

[12498fffff]

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH

[Jenjenilou]

Chills down the spine. The unique grace of Bill Withers. Just awesome!

[sweetsdawson]

I don't have to walk through life as if a BB balancing on a razor blade...between peace and war.

Now it is just peace and quite. I still volunteer at the VFW and VA to help other Vets from the these 2 wars thats going at present.

[sweetsdawson]

One last thing Pastor...It seems as if it was yesterday. i do remember Paul hardcastle song 19 which was the aveage of the people fighting in Vietnam.

have a Great Day.

[PastorGeezuss]

This was and still is a great anti-war tune...

[sweetsdawson]

This was not a anti-war song...Bill was in the Navy during Vietnam...he was stationed VP-40, home based at NAS Moffett Field, CA. This was a story of what he saw. Of what we saw and how we were trained. Remember the 1000 yard stare.

[PastorGeezuss]

sweetsdawson I didn't say it was an anti-military song. I said it was an anti-war tune.

There is a difference, for a lot of us...

[sweetsdawson]

I did not say that you said it was anti-military. This was not a anti-war song.

This was a story of what he saw. Of what we saw and how we were trained.

We all went thru this same stuff and we were young and had a sense of duty that our parent taught us. Sorry if I came across alittle strong.

[sweetsdawson]

My people fought in the Civil, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf, Iraq, Afgan Wars.  But we had to do it because of what folks were saying about Blacks at the time. We are Americans and ain't nobody going to tell us any different. I am a little touchy about this, so with that in mind. I knew Bill Withers...he would stop by Moffett when he came to town on tour.

[patdholmes]

hey man, i'm a little white, a little american indian, and a little black,

let me just say, when your in the "hole" aint no color, its all on one, been there, done that,

[sweetsdawson]

We agree on something...I am just like you, a little white, a little black and native american. I look black but I am am all of the above. It's a bitch getting shot at on the ground and in the air. A bitch dude. The song is so heavy on the heart and the mind. it reminds me of me and my brother and our younger brother. He did not have to go to Vietnam; he became a doctor. he helps vets out to this day. The other song is is by "The Doors" "Riders on the Storm"

[sweetsdawson]

One more thing...ain't no color in the fighting hole, yet when folks come home some; I said some forget that experience of that kind of brotherhood/sisterhood. it is good that we remember so as to not have poloticians divide us here at home in the land of the big PX.

[robertcollin18]

true that

[PastorGeezuss]

Dawson no worries brother...

Carry on...

[sweetsdawson]

PastorGeezuss, This song is so moving it brings tears to my eyes when I listen to it. So many friends, so long ago. I was 19 and proud. I did 30 years In the Navy, Combat Aircrew, helos and props. Again sorry for comming across so strong.

[PastorGeezuss]

Dawson, I was 18... It was a long time ago...

Only 4 ways out of Detroit for my kind.

1. Jail.

2. Casket.

3. Scholarship.

4. Military.

My grand-daughter bought a song called Nineteen, I believe the individual responsible for it was called Hardcastle.

I reckon she is trying to understand why I am the way I am. I had her listen to this song, right here on this exact location.

Well it was a long time ago brother. No apologies needed...

[sweetsdawson]

Pastor,

I grew up on a farm in Louisiana in the 1950's, there was no way out except for the same reasons you mention. Jail was no option because of my strict folks and church, so the military was my choice. I was drafted into the Army but ended up in the Navy because the Marines turned me down. I still end up in Vietnam twice.

[sweetsdawson]

Once by boat the other by air. After the war I had an opportunity to go to school for 2 years, so I stayed in the Navy for 30 years. Raised my children and sent them to college. Been married to the same woman for over 35 years. She is from Gary, Indiana and a Marine. she stuck by me when i was going through the PTSD clinic at the VA hospital. It was not easy...took me a time get my humanity back after all of that.

[PastorGeezuss]

How come every time I go to the VA there is a clown from India telling me he knows hwo I feel.

And I gotta address him as Sir.

His daddy didn't see a day of combat and he knows how I feel.

Well it was a long time ago anyhow...

Your a good man Dawson.

Be safe.

Sgt. Jack Harris US Army (Ret.).

[PastorGeezuss]

Not much of a choice if you can't utilize the jail option...

Its always the same though Louisiana, Nebraska, Detroit or Chicago.

Heck I met a pretty little red headed nurse form Louisiana once Dawson and she asked me if I was Negro.

I said to her yeah just half... And then I pulled my pants down right in font of her.. right there.

You know what she said Dawson. She said.. not even half Sarge and walked away.

Growing up in Louisiana in the 50's. Well God bless you Dawson...

[superlambbanana3008]

i agree, didn't realise how much of an epic song this originally was! bill withers is a legend for making us aware of sacrifices some people make

[zaggy3110]

Many thanks for uploading. I first heard it on

Fat Boy Slim's "A break from the norm"