This was the song that launched Michael Bolton’s singing career.  Laura Branigan took this song, written by Bolton and Doug James, to #12 in 1983, but Bolton himself did not release it until his 1989 album, Soul Provider.  Before Branigan recorded it, it was supposed to have been recorded by Air Supply, but when Arista President Clive Davis asked for permission to change the lyrics of the chorus, Bolton refused, and Davis let go of the song.

How Am I Supposed to Live Without You
Michael Bolton

I could hardly believe it
When I heard the news today
I had to come and get it straight from you
They said you were leavin’
Someone’s swept your heart away
From that look upon your face, I see it’s true

So tell me all about it
Tell me ’bout the plans you’re makin’
Oh, tell me one thing more before I go

Tell me how am supposed to live without you?
Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone

I’m too proud for cryin’
Didn’t come here to break down
It’s just a dream of mine is coming to an end
And how can I blame you
When I build my world around
The hope that one day
We’d be so much more than friends
I don’t wanna know the price I’m gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, even now it’s more than I can take

Tell me how am supposed to live without you?
Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone

Now I don’t wanna know the price I’m gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, now that your dream has come true

Tell me how am supposed to live without you?
Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone

Songwriters: Doug James / Michael Bolton
How Am I Supposed to Live Without You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC