WEDNESDAY CLUB - Chicken Shack/Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind
Today we have Hospital Stories pt 1 of 3
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| I would rather go Blind than lose your Love |
CHICKEN SHACK - I'd Rather Go Blind (1969)
I loved squash and had a big game on, if I won it would mean promotion to league one and the chance to compete with County class players. It was a close game but I felt I would win, then everything went blank. When I came to, I was stunned, I could not see from my right eye and blood was dripping from my eye down my cheek.
I was taken to hospital and placed in the Eye Specialist unit for tests. The first night the the Hospital DJ came round and asked for my request. I wanted Atmosphere by Joy Division but he had not heard of them. I went for the clever guy option. I'd Rather Go Blind by Chicken Shack, you get it Eye Specialist Ward, never mind.
It appeared that my Iris was bent and it was a very unique occurrence. I was sent up to Moorfields Eye Hospital London for a painting to be made of my eyeball. On the way back, I asked the driver to drop me off at the pub just outside the hospital. I had a nice pleasant few pints before I went back to my prison.
I was sent to several other places, for specialists to take a look. My eyeball had become quite a celebrity. Each time I always got the driver to drop me of at the pub. Well I was on release.
There was a nurse who I got quite close to, she was going through a divorce and we spent a lot of time chatting. I have to say, I did not realise a daily bed bath was a necessary thing for an eye condition. But did you hear me complain?
All my mates brought in booze for me, I had several half bottles of whiskey and various beers all stacked and hidden in my bedside table. I was high as a kite most evenings. It was a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
About a week later I woke up and I could see again and it has been fine ever since. It just seemed to sort itself out.
If you don't already know you may recognise the lead singer's voice, you are right! It is none other than Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac. She was Christine Perfect in those days.
Below is the first recording of the song by Etta James. Rod Stewart also did a pretty good version on his Never a Dull Moment Album (1972). That was when Rod Stewart was Rod Stewart and not Michael Bubbley.
I loved squash and had a big game on, if I won it would mean promotion to league one and the chance to compete with County class players. It was a close game but I felt I would win, then everything went blank. When I came to, I was stunned, I could not see from my right eye and blood was dripping from my eye down my cheek.
I was taken to hospital and placed in the Eye Specialist unit for tests. The first night the the Hospital DJ came round and asked for my request. I wanted Atmosphere by Joy Division but he had not heard of them. I went for the clever guy option. I'd Rather Go Blind by Chicken Shack, you get it Eye Specialist Ward, never mind.
It appeared that my Iris was bent and it was a very unique occurrence. I was sent up to Moorfields Eye Hospital London for a painting to be made of my eyeball. On the way back, I asked the driver to drop me off at the pub just outside the hospital. I had a nice pleasant few pints before I went back to my prison.
I was sent to several other places, for specialists to take a look. My eyeball had become quite a celebrity. Each time I always got the driver to drop me of at the pub. Well I was on release.
There was a nurse who I got quite close to, she was going through a divorce and we spent a lot of time chatting. I have to say, I did not realise a daily bed bath was a necessary thing for an eye condition. But did you hear me complain?
All my mates brought in booze for me, I had several half bottles of whiskey and various beers all stacked and hidden in my bedside table. I was high as a kite most evenings. It was a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
About a week later I woke up and I could see again and it has been fine ever since. It just seemed to sort itself out.
If you don't already know you may recognise the lead singer's voice, you are right! It is none other than Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac. She was Christine Perfect in those days.
Below is the first recording of the song by Etta James. Rod Stewart also did a pretty good version on his Never a Dull Moment Album (1972). That was when Rod Stewart was Rod Stewart and not Michael Bubbley.
Comments
I like the Chicken Shack version and it sounds like there is a church organ faintly playing in the background.
Have you heard the Sydney Youngblood version from the late 80's ?? It's worth a listen
Your post reminded me of a long-forgotten squash injury I picked up, which I'll have to write about someday.