Soul
Blues
'I'd Rather Go Blind' (1967) is one of Etta James’s most emotional recordings. Co-written by James herself, its lyric 'my sight is growin' dim' comes from James's own story of heartbreak. The song’s slow, bluesy arrangement and James’s aching vocal make it a powerful lament about loss. It wasn’t a big pop hit at the time, but its moving honesty helped it become a soul standard. Over the years, many artists have covered it – from Rod Stewart to Beyoncé (who famously performed it as a tribute to James) – ensuring that the song remains a timeless torch ballad.
