You've taken a hold of me - Paul Kossoff

For the love of rock
Vol IX, Issue 6 – You’ve taken a hold of me (01 Dec 2024)
www.intheloveofrock.com

Name of song- You’ve taken a hold of me
Band - Paul Kossoff
Singer- Eddie Baird
Writer- Eddie Baird
Album- Koss
Release year- 1978
Resources- Wikipedia.org
You’ve taken a hold of me

“Paul Kossoff” may be an unknown name for may rock fans. Better known as the lead guitarist for the band “Free”, most ardent rock fans would know that he is considered as one of the most essential blues rock guitarists to emerge in the seventies. Despite being enormously talented, his life was tragically cut short by drug overdose when he died at a tender age of 26 years. Ranked 51 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest guitarists of All Time”, Kossoff was an amazingly talented guitarists missed by all the rock fans and revered by all blues rock guitarists worldwide.

Born in London, UK, he had joined as guitarist in blues band “Black Cat Bones”, where Simon Kirke was the drummer. Ultimately, they formed “Free” along with Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers and had a massive success. However, with too much success, Free had to disband and Kossoff went solo. He produced two albums with his back up band “Black Street Crawler” and produced one solo album “Back Street Crawler.” His compilation album “Koss” was posthumously released in 1977 as his career retrospective and is considered as a must have treasure for true Kossoff fans. This album showcased Kossoff’s talent as a guitarist, who was compared to Clapton and Hendrix. With numerous wonderful songs to his credit, “You’ve taken a hold of me” is one of the highlights of the collection.
This song was written and sung by Eddie Baird, who was the singer for the trio folk rock band “Amazing Blondel”. This slow, bluesy, rock ballad showcases Kossoff’s melodious and enticing guitar skills. The song begins with Kossoff’s slow and mesmerizing intro, along with David Elliott’s piano, Mick Kellie’s drums and Mick feat’s bass. Once Eddie Baird starts his part of soothing vocals, the song gains a slow and steady pace. With hauntingly beautiful lyrics of a teenager lover’s fantasy, this ballad is a true master piece of slow guitar rock. With Kossoff’s melodious lead guitar driving the song all the way, the song is a marvel to listen to. The climax of the song is the lead solo by Kossoff which drives the song to the very end, wanting the listener it to never end….
Yes, Kossoff has always been remembered as the guitarist for “Free”, but once he became free of “Free”, then his true spirits became free and spread the wings…….Undoubtedly, “You’ve taken a hold of me” emphasizes how Kossoff’s guitar takes hold of any rock fan!!!

Happy listening!!!

Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com

You’ve taken a hold of me

I need a helping hand,
It’s easy to understand,
Why am I not coping here,
My time is coming near,
Coz’ baby, baby,
You’ve taken a hold of me,
Aaaaaah

Once I used to say,
That you could never stay,
In my head for long,
But listen I was wrong,
Coz’ baby, baby,
You’ve taken a hold of me,

Even in the morning light,
I know it’s right,
And I’m still losing,
Even if I try to fight it,
It won’t get lost,
It started using me,

As soon as I see your face,
It makes this lonely place,
Soon to come alive,
You’re the queen bee of my hive,
Coz’ baby, baby,
You’ve taken a hold of me,
Aaaaaah!

I can hardly wait,
This feeling feels too great,
For me to keep control,
You’ve caged my very soul,
Coz’ baby, baby,
You’ve taken a hold of me

Even in the morning light,
I know it’s right,
And I’m still losing,
Even if I try to fight it,
It won’t get lost,
It started using me……..

Video link -    • You've taken a hold of me - Paul Kossoff