I'd rather go blind. Grainne Duffy Band live at Buckleys, Oslo, Norway. May 11th 2013. Oslo Bluesklubb. - "I'd rather go blind" is written by Ellington Jordan / Billy Foster. Some info also says that lyrics is by Etta James -- who made the first recording of this song in 1967. That made this song famous; it's an "Etta James-song". Lots of artists have done their versions of this song up till today. Photo/video: Ole Jonny Trangsrud.