The Simple Genius of Bill Withers 

Hey everyone, this video was supposed to drop last week, but I've run into some issues thanks to RU-vid's copyright system. I'm disputing for now, but this video might get blocked again soon. I'll continue to fight, but if it goes down, you'll always be able to watch it at nebula.app/polyphonic

“You gonna tell me the history of the blues? I am the goddamn blues. Look at me. Shit. I’m from West Virginia, I’m the first man in my family not to work in the coal mines, my mother scrubbed floors on her knees for a living, and you’re going to tell me about the goddam blues because you read some book written by John Hammond? Kiss my ass.” -- Bill Withers

There's only a handful of modern songs that feel so universal and timeless that it's hard to imagine they haven't always been around. Most great artists will never write one. Bill Withers wrote two.

"Aint No Sunshine" makes sense to feature in a video, but for me, "Use Me" is a brilliant song and recording.

Something I don't feel like is talked about enough is his breath control. Between the section of "ain't no sunshine" where he sings "I know" and the chorus of lovely day.... That's a lot of air

"Just The Two Of Us" originally featured on an album by Grover Washington Jr. In 1980. Bill Withers was the "guest vocalist" on the album, as Bobby Womack was with the Crusaders' Wilton Felder, giving a timely boost to both of their careers.

‘I can’t Write Left Handed’ is one of the most painfully beautiful songs, it hurts to hear someone thinking of others as they struggle with life changing misfortune brought on by war.

I started playing guitar at 26. Bill is easily my biggest inspiration. Thank you Mr. Withers.

“Who Is He and What Is He to You” is probably my favorite, but I think the one that is the most accessible to everyone is “Grandma’s Hands.” The idea of losing the innocence of childhood is something we can all connect with on some level.

Grandma's hands always kills me. It's short, heartfelt and yet bittersweet. The black godfather is amazing documentary about the producer. Just brilliance.

Withers was an amazing artist. My personal favorite from his catalog is "Use Me." So glad to see this today.

Its a damn shame we lost him in 2020. But I am happy more people will know about how blue collar he was. You knew every word he sang was genuine. *...maybe John Prine next?*

“Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Grandma’s Hands” are two of my favorites. Also, I really love Bill’s singing on “Just The Two Of Us”!

Bill withers has such a legendary catalogue

Beautiful video man. My most favorite track by bill is “Just the two of us”, my late father used to sing that a lot while I was growing up, and now it has become a part of my life, and I will do the same as my father did to me… sing it proudly around my future children! Kudos.

All these comments, and Lean On Me is icing on the cake. Legend.

I saw a club band in the early 70s do this song. It was captivating. Been a fan of Bill Withers ever since.

I love that song, "Just the Two of Us" ... and I'm sure there are others. He was a simple, but wonderful artist. Sometimes, simplicity is what makes the best music.

Anyone else not able to stop smiling after watching this? Great work on a great artist

What a great story. It will increase my enjoyment of a song I've loved since I heard it when it first came out those many decades ago.

Bill was ahead of his time those songs he wrote are still played at my family house for barbecues I still play his stuff in my car at 30

Man, the synchronicity....my son's birthday was yesterday and I always associate Lovely Day with him. So naturally, I jammed it a couple times

I love Bill Withers, one of my favorite singers of all time. There's something so genuine and raw about the way he speaks to the listener, so much emotion, but in a subtle way that ends up being so much powerful.

Yessss, love ur deep dives. So happy you covered Withers.

I had no idea how humble he was! His attitude is really inspiring

Ain't No Sunshine requires to you to sit and get soaked by the experiennce and story, just pure brilliance.

Ain't no sunshine shouldve gotten on that golden plaque they shot off into space. A classic

Bro I swear, CSNorY always find their ways into nearly every immaculate story of rock.

Mr Polyphonic I hope you are feeling better, you looked quite depressed a few videos ago! Stay strong!!!

If any of you haven’t heard it before, track down Bills live album “At Carnegie Hall”. There’s a level of soul and warmth that goes even farther live. The live version of grandmas hands gets me every single time

That song kicks hard, "ain't no sunshine" it's simple but it's resonates with that primal feeling of desolation and broken hearts... Just a guitar and a raw voice...

Grandma's hands and Gil Scott's cover are so beautiful

Completely agree that “Ain’t no Sunshine” feels like a Blues standard. I love how unique and different your take on the “music analysis” is. I really like it.

I’ve always loved Bill Withers’ music - there’s something other-worldly about it. Songs like Grandma’s Hands, I Can’t Write Left Handed and Lean On Me owe as much to the folk tradition as they do to soul. His crowning moment to me though is his live recording from Carnegie Hall - especially his rendition of Hope She’ll Be Happier - it still send tingles down my spine. An essential songwriter and artist - much missed.

hell yeah! Bill Withers is one of my favorites of all time! I didn't know how much I needed a polyphonic breakdown of why he's one of the greatest to ever do it. such a real dude.

“Lovely day” is perfect

Bill's "Simple Genius" knew he would not last in the music business, nor would he wish to. He loved writing and singing his music. The rest is Bill's way too short history in a business that literally chewed up, and spat out people with real talent and ability. is legendary! I will play his music as long as I am left on this earth.....74 years so far! Thank you, Bill!

The Use Me riff is one of my favourite of all time

Thank you for this video. I love Bill Withers his songs gets to your very core, Grandmas Hands is one of my favorites.

I’ve been waiting for a video on Bill Withers! Having grown up on his music as well something that always captures me was how strong yet effortless his voice was. So much soul in one man.

YES!!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍♥️ He WAS a genius. Not easy to categorize his music. What a gift his music is.

I've been studying so much music from the 70's lately and Bill's artistry and ability to evoke feelings are undeniable. This was very informative and beautifully put together! Can't wait to see you hit 1M bro

"Lean On Me" - my favorite

Use Me is one of my favorite song, yet it’s so simple

Bill Withers is my favorite artist, and my number one inspiration.

Bill Withers is my FOLK HERO!!! Such a soulful voice, and one of the greatest writers and composers to have been. Truly a masterful songwriter, so many iconic and timeless songs!

Bill Withers grew up not to far from where I'm from, and every time I hear people mention him I always get a sense of pride. He was one of the all time legends and I'm glad to see that everyone agrees just how insanely talented of a writer and singer he was. RIP

Bill Withers, fellow native West Virginian, thank you for the indelible mark you left on the musical world.

I,love Bill Withers, thank you my man , love what you do,Shalom 🙏🏽

So funny I was just listening to him like 3 or 4 minutes ago on my drive to the grocery store. There's just something so magical about him and I listen to his music all the time

I only recently found your channel and only watched a couple so far on my way to binge watching, but wow I have already learned so much about the history of music. Not sure how it flew under my radar for so long.

Your essays are some of the best in the business. Thanks Polyphonic!

One of the greatest songwriters of all times, although his catalogue is somehow more limited than that of many of his peers. His first two albums are a must have for any serious music lover.

Aint No Sunshine is iconic and empathetic to any who listen, but Use Me will always be my favorite. Absolute jam, a joy to play on drums.

Just the two of us / Lovely day / Ain’t no sunshine are 3 of the best songs ever written, imo. They are catchy, memorable, timeless in their messages and most of all, moving. If I’m having a rotten day, Lovely Day always picks me up and puts a smile on my face! I for one am grateful that Bill Withers shared his music with the world! Nice video!

A man that comes from true humble beginnings that I know I know is one of the most iconic parts of this song that is the one thing I do like about Bill withers music is you can hear the pain in his voice you know it's real

Please listen to 'Hello like before', even if you haven't loved and lost. Just a beautiful love song and arrangement. Gets the feels every time I hear it.

Bill Withers has made some incredible songs. My personal favorite is probably Lovely Day. It always puts me in a better mood whenever I hear it.

such a timeless song and it all makes sense... raw human feelings are timeless

Awesome video, honestly maybe my favorite of yours in the last handful of years. But it could be because the story is so interesting and just completely fits the person Withers always seemed to be haha

Great perspective on an incredible man. Grandma's Hands, Who is He, Use Me, all the way to Just the two of us all feel completely real and natural. Never forced, or formulaic. MR. Withers always makes me smile and sing out loud! Great piece, like all your videos.

I also think that Sivuca's interpretation of this song is fantastic, the solos and samba vibes make it another great experience.

Polyphonic--you do a truly amazing job of breaking down and dissecting every song and artist you cover, regardless of genre. I, for one, deeply appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos. You deserve a standing ovation... thank you!

Best voice and best side burns of all time. Everybody loves Bill 🧡

Huge Bill Withers fan here! Appreciated the research and the facts about Mr. Withers life presented. Thanks for the vid!

Dude, I know you might get a lot of comments on how well organized your videos are. And also, on how good they are in terms of content and emotion... but there is one thing I want to highlight and it is the quality of the audiovisual production, even more in the motion graphics stuff, that shit is fire haha. I really like how you make the cuts and the animations, I hope one day I can get to that level of motion graphic design and execution. I would pay for an online course, just saying haha...

You can make a Bill Wither series, and I’d watch it on repeat

I think San Antonio Rose, it's ridiculous number of covers and permutations, Cain's Ballroom, and Western Swing would make a great topic.

As a working man musician, someone who only really gets to make music in between my day to day job and someone who also picked up an instrument late in life, Bill Withers has always been an idol of mine. "Ain't no sunshine" is one of the first songs i learned to play. Personally, "Use me" and "Just the Two of Us" are some of my favorites.

I mean Grandma’s Hands….Lovely Day…Ain’t No Sunshine…Use Me….honestly might be a hard discography to beat.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful tale of this humble giant. What a dude Bill is.

I've learned so much from you. Thank you.

I love this video! It's incredible that such a legendary singer/songwriter was so practical and modest! I love when you do videos on soul singers!

Lovely day is a timeless classic

Bill is an amazing artist, he's so underrated

Bill Wither’s is absolutely one of the greatest song writers in our country’s history. I can’t say enough great things about bill

RIP Bill Withers, truly a generational talent.

Graham Nash - "You don't know how good you are" Bill Withers - "I know"

I think you put it pretty well, Withers' vocal delivery is less about raw virtuosity and more about emotional expression. He sounds like a working class man singing his heart out. Although anyone who has heard Lovely Day knows that man could absolutely sing his heart out. I've always felt Lean on Me was his magnum opus among his hits though. Fantastic singer, glad he found happiness away from showbiz and lived a long fulfilling life. RIP

Been waiting for this one

I needed this today, thank you.

My mom sent me this link. I'm surprised I didn't know about this channel, I'm subscribed now.

Very cool information presented. I LOVE to hear the background of not only well known individuals, but also things that make them well known. The choice of background music fit very well. Please though give a bit of attention to the evident vocal fry in the audio. Your passion for the information is also clear and appreciated. I really hope RU-vid settles down. This video is really great!

Great piece on Bill Withers the song " "Ain't no Sunshine" which is still iconic even today. Thanks for sharing it good job on your commentary ~ What do you know about the song "Classical gas "? Growing up at 6yrs old I seemed to hear it alot from my uncle Tommy. It must have been very popular as well I'm guessing. Love & Prayers ❤❤❤

when i was 4 months old my parents and I were on a road trip. My dad had been gifted Bill Withers Greatest Hits. It was a 6 hour drive and after an hour or so i started screaming, just hysterics, and would not stop. Then Lean On Me came on. I immediately calmed down, and when it ended I started screaming again. So my parents drove for four straight hours listening to lean on me on a loop.

He's one of my favorite singers. There was a lack or pretention and honesty in his voice and music that's timeless.

Didnt even watch it yet, but i know its gonna be fire

"use me" - huge fav. All love to Bill.

Grandma's hands Lovely Day Use me Lean on me Such a great music!!!

So much love for Grandma’s Hands in these comments, I’m so glad! It’s one of my favorites, along with Harlem, Friend of Mine, Ain’t No Sunshine, and Lovely Day 💜 I wish I could’ve seen him live, his music is so special and so beautiful

Killing it as always. Thanks for these.

To crab the catchphrase of another youtube person I follow regularly, "this is history that deserves to be remembered"

Bro, i can listen to you talk for HOURS!!!

If that "I know" groove doesn't make your head move you need to call a doctor! :D

I hope one day he gets a movie made about him

Bill Withers was amazing, writing universal songs that tended to avoid love song clichés. Thank you for this!

Was waiting for this

I don’t usually comment, but I feel obligated to in this instance. This is a phenomenal video. I had no idea about Bill’s background, despite loving his music immensely. I think you’re use of visuals only adds to your delivery. However, this is one aspect of your narration I can’t seem to drop. You seem to extend the last syllable of almost every sentence with a vocal fry and a slight upward inflection. It seems slightly unnecessary and over dramatic. It’s one of those things you can’t stop hearing after you recognize it once. But please don’t take this as criticism! This content is amazing and I am enjoying the work you are doing. That is just super detail-oriented, nit-picky thing you may want to address in the future. Looking forward to more content!!

This truly is one of the best channels on youtube. Thank you.

Great job on this video, bro