Use Me – Bill Withers | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop and R&B (#2); 1972
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Ain’t No Sunshine, Bill Withers debut single, was a stone cold smash; peaking at #3 pop and #6 R&B. Unfortunately, follow-up Grandma’s Hands stalled at #18 R&B and failed to crack the Top 40.
Single number three, however, would put Bill back in the game, big-time. Bill and members of his on-tour backing band, late of Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, took over the producing chores from Booker T. Jones for his second album.
Recorded in just eight hours for $7500, Still Bill turned out to be Withers’ favorite recording experience. Lean On Me, the aforementioned third 45, soared to #1 pop and R&B.
In the studio for Bill’s fourth 45, Use Me, drummer James Gadson played the groove for about five minutes, then Bill came up with the song on-the-spot. Lean On Me was still in the Top 40 when Use Me entered the Hot 100. In October, 1972 it became Bill’s third million seller in just 13 months.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Bill Withers
Lyrics Written by:
- Bill Withers
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).