
I'll Take Care of You is a song written by Brook Benton and originally recorded by Bobby Bland in 1959. It reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1960. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Van Morrison, Etta James, Irma Thomas, and Gil Scott-Heron. In 2011, Scott-Heron's cover was remixed by Jamie xx and reworked by Drake and Rihanna for their single Take Care. The Dixie Chicks also covered the song, and it was included on their 1998 album Wide Open Spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | I'll Take Care of You |
| Artists | Dixie Chicks, The Chicks |
| Writer | John David Souther |
| Album | Wide Open Spaces |
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What You'll Learn
- The song was originally written and recorded by Brook Benton and Bobby Bland in 1959
- The Dixie Chicks version is from the album 'Wide Open Spaces' (1998)
- The song has been covered by numerous artists
- The lyrics include the line What can a working girl do but struggle through another day
- The chorus repeats the sentiment Let them talk, I'll take care of you

The song was originally written and recorded by Brook Benton and Bobby Bland in 1959
"I'll Take Care of You" is a song that was originally written and recorded in 1959 by Brook Benton and Bobby Bland, respectively. Since then, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Roy Hamilton, Jackie Payne, Etta James, Mick Hucknall, Irma Thomas, O. V. Wright, Mark Lanegan, Joe Bonamassa, and Gil Scott-Heron.
In 1960, the song reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. Elements of the original recording were used in the track "Guardian Angel" by Wordsworth and "Lyrics Files" by Akhenaton from the soundtrack of the French action-comedy film "Taxi."
The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, also covered the song. Their version includes lyrics such as "Times are hard and rents are high / What can a working girl do / But struggle through another day / Then I'll take care of you." The chorus emphasizes the sentiment of standing by a loved one despite external judgments: "So, let them talk about us, let them call us funny things / People sometimes do / Oh, I don't care, as long as you know I love you / Oh, and you know I do."
The Dixie Chicks' version of the song appears on their 1998 album "Wide Open Spaces", showcasing the enduring appeal of the original composition by Brook Benton and Bobby Bland.
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The Dixie Chicks version is from the album 'Wide Open Spaces' (1998)
"I'll Take Care of You" is a song by the Dixie Chicks, from their album "Wide Open Spaces" (1998). The song's lyrics depict a struggle to get by in difficult times, with high rents and long, cold nights. Despite these challenges, the singer reassures their loved one that they will persevere and take care of each other.
The chorus emphasizes their devotion and willingness to endure social judgment: "So, let them talk about us, let them call us funny things / People sometimes do / Oh, I don't care, as long as you know I love you / Oh, and you know I do." The sentiment of enduring through hardship for love is further emphasized in the verses, with lines like, "I'll be there, but you might not see me / It's never easy to get through / But when the laughter dies away / Then I'll take care of you."
The Dixie Chicks' version of "I'll Take Care of You" is a heartfelt and uplifting take on the original song, which was written by John David Souther. Their rendition has become a beloved part of their album "Wide Open Spaces", which was released in 1998 and garnered significant success.
The album "Wide Open Spaces" marked a significant milestone in the Dixie Chicks' career. It not only showcased their musical talent but also highlighted their ability to connect with listeners through relatable and emotionally powerful lyrics, as evidenced by "I'll Take Care of You." The song's message of resilience and mutual support resonates with many, making it a standout track on the album.
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The song has been covered by numerous artists
"I'll Take Care of You", written by Brook Benton, has been covered by numerous artists since it was first recorded by Bobby Bland in 1959. The song reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1960. Elements of the original recording were used in the track "Guardian Angel" by Wordsworth and "Lyrics Files" by Akhenaton from the soundtrack of the French action-comedy film Taxi.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Gil Scott-Heron, Etta James, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Roy Hamilton, Jackie Payne, Mick Hucknall, Irma Thomas, O. V. Wright, Mark Lanegan, Joe Bonamassa, and Gary B. B. Coleman. In 2011, Jamie xx remixed Scott-Heron's cover, which was then reworked by Drake and Rihanna and released as the single "Take Care" for the album of the same name. In the same year, Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart covered the song on their collaborative album, Don't Explain.
The Dixie Chicks (now known as The Chicks) have also released a version of the song, with slightly altered lyrics, on their album Wide Open Spaces. Their version includes the lines "Times are hard and rents are high/What can a working girl do/But struggle through another day/Then I'll take care of you".
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The lyrics include the line What can a working girl do but struggle through another day?
The lyrics, "What can a working girl do but struggle through another day?" are from the song "I'll Take Care of You", which was released by the Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks. The song was written by John David Souther.
The Chicks are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. The band consists of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer. Martie and Emily founded the Dixie Chicks in 1989 with bassist Laura Lynch and singer and guitarist Robin Lynn Macy. They performed bluegrass and country music, busking and touring the bluegrass festival circuits and small venues for six years. In 1992, Macy left the group, and Lynch took over vocals. After independently releasing three albums, the Dixie Chicks were signed by Monument Records Nashville in 1995, and Maines replaced Lynch. They released their first album with Monument, Wide Open Spaces, in 1998, followed by Fly in 1999. Both albums were certified diamond.
In 2003, the Dixie Chicks publicly criticised US President George W. Bush and the imminent Iraq War, triggering a backlash and damaging sales of their 2002 album Home. They released Taking the Long Way in 2006 and entered a hiatus in 2008. The Dixie Chicks reunited in 2016 for a series of tours. In 2020, they removed "Dixie" from their name due to its negative connotations and released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter. The Chicks have charted 22 times on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and have received numerous awards, including 13 Grammy Awards.
The song "I'll Take Care of You" is about a person reassuring their loved one that they will be there for them and take care of them, even during difficult times. The lyrics, "What can a working girl do but struggle through another day?" reflect the narrator's understanding of the challenges their partner is facing, such as high rents and long nights. Despite these struggles, the narrator promises to support and care for their partner. The song's message of love, commitment, and resilience resonates with many listeners, and it has become a popular and well-known song by The Chicks.
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The chorus repeats the sentiment Let them talk, I'll take care of you
The Dixie Chicks' song "I'll Take Care of You" includes the chorus "So let them talk about us, let them call us funny things/People sometimes do/Oh, I don't care, as long as you know I love you/Oh, and you know I do." The sentiment of "let them talk" is repeated throughout the song, with the chorus acting as a refrain that ties together the different verses.
In the verses, the singer addresses the struggles of a "workin' girl" trying to get by in a world where "times are hard and rents are high." Despite the challenges, the singer promises to take care of her loved one, offering comfort and support.
The chorus, with its "let them talk" sentiment, serves as a powerful statement of resilience and dedication. It conveys a message of standing strong in the face of gossip and judgement. The singer asserts that, regardless of what others may say or think, their love and commitment remain unwavering.
This sentiment is further emphasized in the subsequent verses. For instance, in Verse 2, the singer acknowledges the long nights and cold dreams that life may bring but reassures that "if you rise with crying eyes/Then I'll take care of you." Similarly, in Verse 3, the singer promises to be there even when things get tough: "I'll be there, but you might not see me/It's never easy to get through/But when the laughter dies away/Then I'll take care of you."
By repeating the "let them talk" sentiment in the chorus, the song reinforces the idea that the singer's love and care are constant and unwavering, regardless of external circumstances or the opinions of others. It creates a sense of strength and determination within the narrative of the song, highlighting the singer's commitment to protecting and caring for their loved one.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was written by Brook Benton.
The lyrics of the Dixie Chicks' version of the song are very similar to the original, with a few small changes, such as the original line "What can a working man do" becoming "What can a working girl do".
The song was included on their 1998 album 'Wide Open Spaces'.








































