As I mentioned last night, when I was struggling to find songs that I hadn’t already played here, dear David came to my rescue with a list of songs and artists. Some, like Fat Larry’s Band, I had never heard before, but some struck a chord, such as the one I played night before last, To Love Somebody by Michael Bolton and also the Bee Gees. One of the bands on David’s list was Badfinger, and they did a song I love, Without You, but the fact is that I much prefer Nilsson’s (Nilsson Schmilsson) version to Badfinger’s.
Originally released by Badfinger in 1970, this was written by Badfinger members Peter Ham and Tom Evans. Ham had written a song called Is This Love?, but he wasn’t happy with the chorus. Evans came up with the “I can’t live if living is without you” chorus but had no verses for it, so they put the two songs together as one.
The Badfinger original wasn’t released as a single, so most people weren’t familiar with it. Nilsson’s version, laced with lush orchestration, became a huge hit, climbing to #1 in the U.S. in February 1972 and staying for four weeks. Nilsson was known as a songwriter and wrote most of the songs he recorded, but two of his biggest hits were covers: Without You and Everybody’s Talkin’.
According to SongFacts …
Nilsson first came across this song at a Laurel Canyon party in 1971 and thought it was a Beatles song. Badfinger was signed to Apple Records, The Beatles’ label, and their version of “Without You” was produced by Beatles associates Geoff Emerick and Mal Evans. Nilsson also had a Beatles connection: John Lennon helped launch his career when he referred to Harry as his “favorite American group.” He and Lennon enjoyed a destructive time together from 1973-1975 that became known as the “lost weekend.”
Nilsson’s version added an orchestra and gave the song a dramatic production. When Nilsson recorded it, he initially played the song slow and dark, accompanied only by piano. Producer Richard Perry recalled to Mojo magazine April 2008 that he had to persuade an unwilling Nilsson to record it as a big ballad: “I had to force him to take a shot with the rhythm section. Even while we were doing it, he’d be saying to the musicians, ‘This song’s awful.'”
This song made a lot of money for a lot of people, but for those most entitled to the windfall, it had tragic consequences. As the song’s writers, Peter Ham and Tom Evans should have been set for life, but Badfinger’s label, Apple Records, collapsed in 1973 and they never got their due. Despondent over career setbacks and overwhelmed by myriad legal difficulties, Ham hanged himself in 1975. In 1983, Evans followed suit, hanging himself from a willow tree after a bitter argument with Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland about the royalties for “Without You.”
As for Nilsson, he didn’t handle success well. Alcoholism ran in his family, and the fame and fortune from “Without You” triggered him to drink. He went into a downward spiral, and his career and health never recovered. Nilsson died of heart failure in 1994 at age 52.
Well … I really liked this song, but until tonight I had no idea of the tragedies associated with it. 😔
Nilsson’s version charted at #1 in both the UK and the U.S. Mariah Carey also covered this song in 1994, and it was released just a week after Nilsson’s death.
I give you both Badfinger and Nilsson’s versions tonight, for each has merit in its own right …
Without You
Badfinger/Nilsson
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 anymore
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
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 anymore
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 anymore
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Evans Thomas / Ham Peter William
Without You lyrics © Apple Publishing Ltd., The Estate For Peter William Ham, The Estate For Thomas Evans, Apple Publ Ltd
Another totally awesome song, TY!! I never knew members of Badfinger wrote the song, assumed Air Supply was the original when i first heard it. Notable mention:
HN’s rendition is still my fav ❤ Cheers 🙂
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Thanks! I really like this one by Air Supply, too! In fact, I think it’s the one I was most familiar with way back when! Cheers, my friend! ❤
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Nilsson’s version is the best in my opinion. Thank you for playing both today.
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That seems to be the general consensus … my pleasure, John!
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This is funny to me, as I listened to Badfinger’s original and then Nilsson’s cover of this song last Tuesday, Groundhog Day, and then watched an interesting short commentary about Nilsson’s life. I was familiar with Badfinger’s version first because I had the album that had it, though I preferred the song, “No Matter What” from that album. Cheers
Note: And now “No Matter What” is stuck in my head. Geez.
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But that was a good track to have stuck there Michael.
Hugs
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Yes, a solid sound encompassing fond juvenile memories, all guaranteed to bring me a rich smile with little notice. The way they sing that final, “No matter what you are”, was always sung with friends, defiant and determined, embracing the song’s spirit: this is how it is. Quite satisfying to sing with those guitars ringing out in the background, right?
Hugs back.
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None better!
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Ahhhh … so it’s true what they say, that great minds think alike! On your mention of the song “No Matter What”, I got excited thinking, “There’s my song for tonight!”, only to discover that I’ve not only played it, but reduxed it already. I guess I like that one, eh? Planting earworms is my specialty … just ask Keith!
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A brilliant song. I also prefer Harry Nilsson’s version, but I did like Badfinger when they were around – it’s good to see you’ve featured them before. The song seems cursed, somehow, and it seems sadly appropriate that Carey’s screeching was released on the back of Nilsson’s death. The record business never did allow good taste to get in the way of a fast buck.
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I think Badfinger was more popular in the UK than here in the U.S., but for this song, everyone so far has preferred Nilsson’s, so at least I’m not a minority of one this time! Heh heh … I almost included Carey’s version on this post, but the image of you scowling at me stopped me short! No industry lets good taste stand in the way of profit, my friend. Sigh.
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Badfinger did better in the States than a lot of British bands at that time – the Beatles connection helped, I think.
I’m glad my influence spared everyone from Mariah howling her way through the song – good decision!
Sadly, you’re right on profit before good taste.
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I’ve found a couple of Badfinger tunes that I remember from way back when, but only a couple. Yep, your influence saved the day! I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to play another Mariah Carey tune now! Seems that profit is all anybody cares about these days … sigh.
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They had three big hits here plus a few lesser ones. The big three are Come And Get It, Day After Day, and No Matter What. You’ve probably already featured them anyway!
I’m feeling guilty now, depriving Mariah fans of seeing her on your blog. Still, they can always take an iPad into a soundproofed room if they so desire 😉
Profits come first in everything, sadly.
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I’ve featured “No Matter What” twice, not sure about “Come and Get It”, though I remember that one well! I don’t recall “Day After Day”, but will check it out! Thanks!
Nah, don’t feel guilty! I’ve played Mariah many times in the past, and probably will again, but I’ll give you advance warning!
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I think Day After Day is the best of the three, though I like them all.
No worries – I can always enjoy the post without clicking on the video 😉
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I did go listen to “Day After Day”, and immediately remembered it as it began to play. Not one of my top ten faves, but I did like the song, so you may see it here one day soon.
That’s true, you can enjoy my wit even if you don’t listen to the song! 😉
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That would be good, I don’t think it will be appearing on many other blogs.
Exactly that. It’s a choice we can all make, and the words always make up for music we might not like.
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One of my favourite things about doing these music blogs is the background trivia I learn about the songs I play. And, learning a bit about my friends’ taste in music.
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I get that from my music posts, too 😊
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Carey’s screeching…. ouch that’s harsh 😉
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Jill, good song. A reason Badfinger sounded some like The Beatles, is they and James Taylor were two of the earlier artists Apple signed. On some of the songs, George or Paul could be found playing back-up. As you are an accountant by trade, Apple went belly up as The Beatles were horrible business managers. They had too many lavish parties with “hangers-on” and spent more than the revenue. Oops. Keith
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I’m not sure I knew that James Taylor had signed with Apple! I’m not surprised they went belly-up, but ’tis sad, for they could have soared with the eagles had they hired competent business managers and listened to their advice!
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Jill, so true. I have seen Taylor describe having McCartney playing bass in a recording session was surreal. Keith
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I also prefer Harry Nilsson’s version of WITHOUT YOU. Tough to listen to, though. SAD!!!!!
Also ….even sadder to learn that the writer’s never got their fair due!!!! Can’t believe this song led to suicide!
Unbelievable!!!!! Very sad that Nilsson passed away, too! 😢
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I love the song, and was surprised that most everyone who commented preferred Nilsson’s version. The song lyrics don’t bother me so much as the legacy of the song, the suicides … sigh. But still, the song is good, yes? Hugs! ❤
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I’ve never heard of Badfinger. Must look them up.
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Really??? I think they were bigger in the UK than here. Yes, look them up … perhaps one of their songs will ring a bell.
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Badfinger did some good stuff, though I ignored then at the time after their breakout song, Come and Get it. That one could not be mistaken for the Beatles, it wasn’t even close to their abilities. So, if you really want Beatles’ soundalikes, I give you the Knickerbockers, from 1965, whom everyone was sure were the Beatles slumming in America;
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Ahhhh … I knew that there was some Badfinger song that I remembered, but I couldn’t remember it … “Come and Get It” … that’s it! Knickerbockers … the name is familiar, but I can’t recall their music … I’ll check it out.
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I regret to say I do prefer Nilsson’s version of this because Badfinger was a great group just not orchestrally inclined and it shapes up pretty well under that format. but the lads deserve great credit for writing such a gem.
Cwtch
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Whew! I am relieved! Indeed they do deserve credit for writing this piece, and I’ll play something else by Badfinger soon. I now have the song “Goldfinger” running through my brain.
Cwtch
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Yeah! Thats great again, Jill! With songs from the past, most times you cant go wrong, if you want have fun and calm down. The newest ones are most times sounding like sung by a destruction corps. Lol Michael
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I cannot even listen to today’s music … it hurts my ears, my head, and even my toes!
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