Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Curtis Mayfield
Vocals
Gary Slabo
Instrument
Ron Kolber
Baritone Saxophone
Donald Simmons
Drums
Patrick Ferreri
Guitar
Phil Upchurch
Guitar
Robert Lewis
Horn
Harold Lepp
Instrument
Richard Single
Instrument
Sam Heiman
Instrument
John Ross
Keyboards
Master Henry Gibson
Percussion
Clifford Davis
Saxophone
Leonard Druss
Saxophone
Lorin Binford
Trombone
John Howell
Trumpet
Rudolph Stauber
Trumpet
Harold Klatz
Viola
Elloit Golub
Violin
Sol Bobrob
Violin
Harold Dessent
Woodwinds
Robert Sims
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Curtis Mayfield
Songwriter
Gary Slabo
Arranger
Riley Hampton
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Curtis Mayfield
Producer
Danny Turbeville
Assistant Engineer
Roger Anfinsen
Engineer
Tom Flye
Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
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 I tell it like it is
I must confess
[Chorus]
I'm gonna have to give it up
I'm gonna have to give it up
Oh, 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
[Verse 2]
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
Oh, 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
[Chorus]
Now we've got to give it up
Ooh, child
I've got to give it up
Lord, have mercy
Now I've got to give it up
Ooh-hoo, I've got to give it up
Oh, 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
[Outro]
But now we've got to give it up
What am I to do?
Child, we've got to give it up
I'll be so lonely without you
But now I've got to give it up
Lord, forgive me, ooh-hoo
I've got to give it up
Ooh-hoo
Now I've got to give it up
Ooh-hoo
Gonna have to give it up
Written by: Curtis Mayfield