LUMPENPROLETARIAT—This is the ultimate track in the track listing for Curtis Mayfield‘s magnificent 1970 contribution towards the good life, entitled, simply, Curtis.

The energy of Curtis Mayfield lives on and continues to pull many of us through the darkest hours.

—Messina

“Give It Up” (1970) by Curtis Mayfield

It is my theory
The two of us are, somewhat, leery
About the happiness
We both set out to possess

We’ve got all the comforts of life
A few kids and you are my wife
And to tell it like it is
I must confess

I’m gonna have to give it up
I’m gonna have to give it up

All concern and the trust that never happened with us
The warmth of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened; you see; and I’m so sorry

I really truly love you
And the kids; you must agree
And I never had too much
Concern or interest in astrology

But as I read it must be so
The invulnerable word, incompatible
No matter how much we try
Our indifference would still show

Now, we’ve got to give it up
I’m gonna have to give it up

All concern and the trust that never happened with us
The warmth of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened; you see; and I’m so sorry

Now, we’ve got give it up, ooh, child
I’ve got to have to give it up
Lord, have mercy
Now, I’ve got give it up, ooh
I’ve got to give it up

All concern and the trust that never happened with us
The warmth of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened; you see; and I’m so sorry

But, now, we’ve got to give it up
What am I do?
Child, we’ve got to give it up
I’ll be so lonely without ya
But, now, I’ve got to give it up

Lord, forgive me, ooh
I’ve got to give it up, ooh
Now, I’ve got to give it up
Lord, I have to give it up

Songwriter: Mayfield, Curtis

“Give It Up” lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

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“Ain’t No Big Thing“/”Hot Shot” (live in Milan, on tour supporting then-newly-released Give the People What They Want) interpreted by The Dap-Kings

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“Ain’t No Big Thing” (1965) by The Radiants

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[Last Modified 21:28 PDT  (Elko, Nevada)  24 MAY 2015