Ever since I wrote about Baby Blue by Badfinger for Hanspostcard’s draft…I have been listening to them again and I wrote up a few posts so I thought I would make a weekend of it…so lets start the weekend a little early!
Most everyone knows this song by Harry Nilsson and some by Mariah Carey. Harry to me has the definitive version but Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger wrote it as a simple blues song. They never dreamed it would be turned around into an epic song.
The song was originally on the No Dice album released in 1970. The album peaked at #28 in the Billboard 100. The album spawned the hit No Matter What that peaked at #8 in 1970.
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Without you was not released as a single and it wasn’t meant to be. Pete and Tom put together two songs they were writing… Pete’s in the verses and Tom’s chorus. They always thought of it as a little blues song that was an album cut.
Badfinger were in the studio one night and Nilsson called them over to listen to what he had recorded. They had no clue he was recording their song…when they heard Harry’s version it blew them away. Over 180 artists have recorded the song since then. The band didn’t start getting royalities from this song or much of anything else until `1985 when the court case was settled. Their former manager tried to get his hands on it then but wasn’t successful. The two families of Ham and Evans…received some of the money for the late songwriters.
You can’t really compare the versions. Badfinger never meant it to be commercial sounding and who could sing like Harry Nilsson?
In a way…this song sums up Badfinger perfectly.
Without You
Well, I can’t forget this evening
And your face when you were leaving
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes
You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows
Yes, it shows
Well, I can’t forget tomorrow
When I think of all my sorrow
I had you there, but then I let you go
And now it’s only fair that I should let you know
What you should know
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give any more
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore
Well, I can’t forget this evening
And your face when you were leaving
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes
You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows
Yes, it shows
Oh
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give any more
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give any more
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give any more
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore
I can’t live, if living is without you
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I’d forgotten they wrote this song. I think you initially informed me of that. Once again, the royalties story was nothing but cruel.
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I didn’t know this about BadFinger! I love their version. Their lyrics are what make the song, so raw , it tears your heart out.
Thanks for telling me the backstory of this. song, Max.
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Glad you liked it Eden. The song really fits Badfinger.
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I think I will ask for this song to get played at my funeral, which may be an odd request, but it is a great song.
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It is a great sad song.
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what you said. Probably the best song they wrote, but Nilsson’s version is way superior (which is saying something since their original is quite good to begin with.)
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No one could sing like Nilsson but I don’t think they realized what they had…and didn’t try to make it into a pop song. Those two songs went together perfectly to form one.
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I always loved the Nilsson version and didn’t know of this Badfinger original connection. It came like fresh air. I thought these two recordings of Badfinger were wonderful and captured the words like I wasn’t expecting.
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It’s hard to beat the Nilsson version. He turned into a wonderfully lush pop song.
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There should be a special level of hell reserved for managers who’ve ripped off their clients a d Badfingers one should be in an esp painful one given the consequences of his greed
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Yes I totally agree…I mean totally. I’m having a weekend full of Badfinger lol…I thought I would catch up on postings.
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The original is pretty good. Feels like Nilsson’s version has a few different chord changes and notes that streamline the song a bit?
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Yes…I would say so…to make it less choppy. I don’t think Badfinger knew what they had in the song.
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Mariah Carey hit this out of the ballpark.
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Yes she did it close to Nilsson’s version.
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Umm no, she kicked arse
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Lol We will agree to disagree. I like Harry’s version better
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Although I am glad she ate it because it got more money to the family.
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She hit the song out of the ball park lol
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Lol… she sang it great… no argument on that… I just prefer Nilsson’s
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I got carried away last night. I’ll listen to Nilsson’s again. Cheers Max.
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LOL…no you didnt…you were fine. Her voice is amazing…I’ll give that to her.
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It is said… and I don’t know how true it is, but there are just two singers who have a vocal range of 8 octaves. Roy Orbision and Maria Carey.
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I believe it…I’ve heard her go to that high note.
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I was smitten with Maria until I saw a documentary with her. She has a voice and looks, but not much else is cooking there lol
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LOL… the only thing I’ve liked…and that is because I have memories to it was her Christmas album…
I respect great voices but as you know…I love imperfect voices like Dylan and Janis Joplin
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Yeh, she sings some sweet carols. I couldn’t agree more regarding imperfect voices. I just finished writing an article on Dylan this afternoon, not that that is unusual lol
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LOL…those imperfect voices are interesting because they rely on soul and meaning more than technique…if that makes sense.
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It’s how effective they use their voices (the timbre, intonation) to promote their message. If it goes deep and impacts the soul, I couldn’t care if they are imperfect or otherwise.
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Anyway.
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Max, I had no idea this originally was a Badfinger tune. I’m very familiar with Nilsson’s rendition, which I have to say I used to like better than I do nowadays. Don’t get me wrong, his vocals are incredible, but at the same time, I find it a little bit too intense. I do like Badfinger’s original, however, a lot!
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I’m glad you liked it! Get ready for more because I’m sticking with the through the weekend lol.
I like both versions and Badfinger has grown on me
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Bring ’em on, Max. It was actually you who finally prompted me to take a look at Badfinger. I definitely like what I’ve heard thus far!
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I left them alone for a while but I’ve been diving in them again.
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Great read, great song Max. I recall having to convince a friend of mine that Nillsson didn’t write this. I may prefer his version but def written by Badfinger.
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Thank you! How can anyone beat Harry’s voice? I don’t think Badfinger knew what they had.
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This is a great song. I need to do an Original vs Cover vs Cover on this one. I think I mostly know Harry’s version, but familiar with Mariah’s as well.
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I thought about you when I posted it.
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It’s such a beautiful and bittersweet song, and so well-written that all three major versions are tremendous. Nilsson and M. Carey’s versions sound more dramatic because of their grandiose orchestral arrangements, but Badfinger’s has an understated poignancy that’s very effective in conveying the heartache expressed in the lyrics.
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Jeff….that is a great comment…you should have written about this song! Thanks
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Just learned something. No idea the Badfinger boys did this.
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