This is such a sad and shocking song. The confessional domestic drama that unfolds over its two minutes is nothing less than heartbreaking. Especially if you listen all the way through to the abrupt surprise ending.

Better Off Dead is the final track on Bill Withers’ 1971 debut album, Just As I Am, superbly produced by Booker T.

With his acoustic guitars and folky undertones – and Stephen Stills on lead guitar – Withers has got more in common with contemporaries like Van Morrison than Curtis Mayfield and Al Green.

For decades I only knew Bill Withers for his hit singles – Lovely Day, Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean On Me – and I’m ashamed to say I only delved deeper after his death in 2020.