One year ago today, soul great Bill Withers, who wrote meaningful and timeless classics like “Lovely Day” and “Lean on Me,” died at age 81.
His treasured legacy continues to live on now and forever through Joy Denalane, who covers his massive 1972 hit “Use Me” in memory of him.
The German-born lady of soul, who has a remarkable affinity for channeling the kindred soul spirit of the past, does a fine job remaking the immortal song about getting the best use of someone.
Denalane accompanies the rendition with a supporting video, where she undergoes a transformation on the set of a photoshoot. Watch it above.
In September 2020, Denalane released the stellar masterpiece Let Yourself Be Loved. It marked her first since 2017’s Gleisdreieck and her first under the Motown Records imprint.
We caught up with Denalane at the time of her album’s release and discussed many topics, including how she does justice to the R&B sound of yesteryear. Revisit it here.
That same year, Let Yourself Be Loved placed at No. 11 on Rated R&B’s 30 best R&B albums of 2020 list.
Listen to Joy Denalane’s cover of “Use Me” by Bill Withers below.
