Story Behind The Classic Hit “Use Me”

Bill Withers Facts:

William Harrison “Bill” Withers, Jr. (born July 4, 1938) is an American singer/songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985.
Withers was born the youngest of six children in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. Withers was twelve years old when his father died. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy at age eighteen and served for nine years, during which time he became interested in singing and writing songs. Discharged from the Navy in 1965, he relocated to Los Angeles in 1967 for a musical career.
Withers worked as an assembler for several different companies, including Douglas Aircraft Corp., while recording demo tapes with his own money, shopping them around and performing in clubs at night. When he debuted with the song “Aint No Sunshine” he refused to resign his job because of his belief that the music business was a fickle industry and that he was still a novice compared to other acts.
Sussex Records
During a hiatus from touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill. The single “Lean On Me” went to number one the week of July 8, 1972. It was Withers’ second gold disc awarded track with confirmed sales in excess of three million. His single “Use Me” released in August 1972, became his third million seller, with the R.I.A.A. gold disc award taking place on October 12, 1972. His performance at Carnegie Hall on October 6 1972 was recorded, and released as the live album Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall on November 30 1972. In 1974 Withers recorded the album +’Justments. Due to a legal dispute with the Sussex company, Withers was unable to record for some time thereafter.
Columbia Records
Due to problems with Columbia, he concentrated on joint projects between 1977 and 1985, including the successful “Just The Two Of Us”,
1985 Watching You Watching Me was his last…
Withers ended his business association with Columbia Records after this release, which as of 2013 is his last studio album.
Personal life
Withers married actress Denise Nicholas in 1973, during her stint as the main actress of the popular sitcom Room 222 The couple divorced the following year.
During the professional semi-hiatis which began in the late 1970s, Withers concentrated more on personal matters than on professional recording. In 1976, he married Marcia Johnson and they had two children, Todd and Kori. Marcia eventually assumed the direct management of his Beverly Hills-based publishing companies, in which his children also became involved as they became adults.
Conclusion
It is not clear whether the love affair and short marriage to Nicholas contributed to the great Love songs he created during that time period, or later relationships played a roll. One fact remains clear….. All Of His Lyrics are Deeply Seated in Love, Joy, & Pain.
And people…….That is what we all live for!!!
Only catch…..You Can’t Have One Without the Other!!!
What a life story!!!! All laid out, sealed in music history!!!
Thank you for tuning in!!!
Don’t be shy, leave a comment. I’m sure Mr. Withers will greatly appreciate it.