I've been Loving you too Long..

So ever since I watched Cadillac Records this weekend I haven’t been able to put down my 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s music. I usually get on these weird retro kicks, because you can’t deny that music from these eras is generally better than most of the stuff you hear on the radio today, but today I’m going to do my blog on Cat Power’s cover of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.” This songs was originally written by Otis Redding in 1965, and has been covered by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Ike and Tina Turner (who added a little sex scene to the mix). Its lyrics are undeniably powerful, and I think that Cat Power adds a very subtle kind of sound to the song that makes her cover unique.

Cat Power is known for covering songs with a minimalist style and sultry vocals, and this song is no different. It is funny to compare it to the more extravagant versions of the song, particularly Tina Turner’s. Now I’m obviously not going to trash Tina Turner, because when I think of this song she is the only artists that usually come to mind, but Cat Power takes a different approach to this song. Turner’s voice definitely provides a sort of anguish to the lyrics (and a literal orgasm), while Cat Power displays a sort of complacent tone towards the man she loves.

I personally love this song for the place it holds in my day to day life. I think we all have people in our lives that have wronged us, but we can’t let go, because of all the times that our life has been so wonderful with this specific person. We cover the wrongdoings and the pain by making the love a habit, but too much of anything is always going to be bad. We make the same excuses over and over again that an alcoholic would make for not giving up his Evan William’s whiskey, and like an alcoholic we don’t realize the potential harm that we cause ourselves every time we allow ourselves to be used up by a cold lover or friend. It is important to realize that people and love changes, and that admitting that change to yourself is the first step to a long road of recovery.

"There were times and your love is growing cold.
My love is growing stronger as our affair grows old.
I've been loving you a little too long, long,
I don't want to stop now."