♫ Bring It On Home To Me ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

It’s been a while since I played some Sam Cooke, hasn’t it?  Like a few others in my repertoire, Cooke is always good for a nice, mellow sound.  I have played this one only once, almost exactly three years ago on September 4th, 2019.

This song, written by Cooke, was released on May 8, 1962  as the ‘B-side’ to Having a Party.  The song was initially offered to fellow singer Dee Clark, who turned it down.  It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Bring it on Home has been recorded by numerous artists in a variety of styles.  Lou Rawls, who sang the background call-and-response on Cooke’s version, recorded his own in 1970.  The Animals made it a UK hit 1965, Eddie Floyd’s version went to US #17 in 1968, and Mickey Gilley had a #1 Country Hit with the song in 1976.  It has also been featured in a number of television series and movies … none of which I have ever seen … go figure.

I will offer up two versions tonight … my preference, always, is the Sam Cooke version, but I am also playing The Animals version for a couple of reasons.  One, a number of you hail from the UK where this one was the more well-received, and two, I know that our friend rawgod is a fan of Eric Burdon and the Animals.

Bring It On Home to Me
Sam Cooke

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

I’ll give you jewelry and money too
That ain’t all, that ain’t all I’ll do for you
Oh, if 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
‘Till 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)

Songwriters: Sam Cooke
Bring It On Home to Me lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc

22 thoughts on “♫ Bring It On Home To Me ♫ (Redux)”

  5. For me, I like Sam’s version but also like EB and the Animals. As another said, Eric’s voice often gets to me. But which version I’d prefer would hang on my mood and activities. Sitting at home, relaxing in the evening (is that a glass of wine in my hand?), I’d turn to Sam Cook and low lights. But traveling on the road, maybe in my car, heading home, a few hundred miles remining, give me Eric. Hugs and cheers, M

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  8. I will admit, I am prejudiced — I prefer Eric’s voice to Sam’s on this one. But Cooke was a fantastic singer/songwriter. His works have been covered by just about everyone. This song itself was a staple for just about every British Invasion band including the Stones, the Zombies, Them, and a bunch I have forgotten. Across Canada the Animal’s version hit no. 7 on the charts, but in Winnipeg it hit no. 2. The Animals tied the Stones for 2nd most popular British band in a radio poll in Winnipeg, behind the Beatles, of course.

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  9. Pingback: ♫ Bring It On Home To Me ♫ (Redux) — Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

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