It is rare that I prefer a later version to the original of a song. And, even rarer that I prefer another over Ben E. King, for he’s a longtime favourite. But, I have to admit that my preference for I Who Have Nothing is none other than that Welshman, Tom Jones.
King’s version, released in 1963, went to #29 on the U.S. charts, but didn’t play well elsewhere, from what I can find. Then it was covered by:
- 1966 Terry Knight and the Pack (who later became Grand Funk Railroad) (#46)
- 1970 Liquid Smoke (#82)
- 1970 Tom Jones (#14)
The song’s melody was based on an Italian song, “Uno Dei Tanti,” (English: “One of Many”), which King had heard in Italy. King’s producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller translated the lyrics into English.
As far as I can tell, the Tom Jones version hit #16 in the UK, but I could not verify that, so if anybody is aware of anything different, please feel free to correct me. This wasn’t his most successful song, but since it was stuck in my head this evening, I decided it must be the song of the day!
I shall offer up both Tom Jones’ and Ben E. King’s versions …
I Who Have Nothing
Tom Jones
I, I who have nothing
I, I who have no one
Adore you and want you so
I’m just a no one with nothing to give you but, oh
I love you
He, he buys you diamonds
Bright, sparkling diamonds
But, believe me, dear, when I say
That he can give you the world, but he’ll never love you the way
I love you
He can take you any place he wants
To fancy clubs and restaurants
But I can only watch you with
My nose pressed up against the window pane
I, I who have nothing
I, I who have no one
Must watch you go dancing by
Wrapped in the arms of somebody else when, darling, it’s I
Who loves you
I love you
I love you
I love you
Songwriters: Giulio Mogol Rapetti / Carlo Donida / Mike Stoller / Jerry Leiber
I Who Have Nothing lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Filosofa's Word 
super rich pickings. not a fan of all of them, but still – I always love your choices and it helps being able to read the lyrics (mostly…. 😉
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I’m glad! Yes, having been mostly deaf for all my life, I find that I’ve so often either not understood lyrics to my favourite songs, or got them all wrong. For the most part, I’m only learning the lyrics to songs I’ve loved for decades when I do these music posts! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!
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Clearly a song that attracted the big voices of their individual times. They all have something to offer.. Thanks Jill xx
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Yes, it speaks volumes about a song when it is covered by so many! Glad you enjoyed it! xx
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I never liked Tom Jones or this song. This kind of over-emoted stuff just isn’t to my taste. To be honest I don’t remember his version – the biggest hit with it here was by Burly Chassis, who took it to #6 in 1963, hot on the heels of Ben E. King. And I don’t get the comparison with Nights in White Satin, which is a true rock/pop classic.
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I think I recall you saying some time ago that you weren’t a fan of Tom Jones. Question: Is the Burly Chassis you mention and the Shirley Bassey that David and Roger mentioned one and the same person? I can kind of hear similarities between this and “Nights In White Satin” … hadn’t thought of it ’til Orca mentioned it, but now I can. Sorry you didn’t like this one … give me a day or two!
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Nope, never was. Yes, it’s the same person. It’s a Spoonerism of her name and is what we called her as schoolboys – she was well-stacked! To be fair, Wikipedia does mention that there is a resemblance between the two songs – it just feels like heresy to me comparing a great song with this one!
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🤣 And now, I’ve learned a new word … spoonerism … had to Google that one! I didn’t know that Wikipedia mentioned the resemblance … I can see where you wouldn’t like the comparison!
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I guess it is a British thing, as the Rev Spooner was one of ours. Glad to have given you a new word to play with!
I had to look the song up after we discussed it. I’m still horrified 🤣
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Now, now, Clive … calm down and listen to some AC/DC … you’ll feel better, I promise!
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I’m sure I will 🤣
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I never knew Ben E King had recorded this.
David got there before me too.
The song was made for welsh vocals I tell you!
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Apparently it was!!! 😊
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🎶🎤❤️
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Memories of times past, of people who I loved, people who loved me, of People:
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That’s a new one to me! Thanks!
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My favourite version is by Dame Shirley Bassey, another Welsh Wizard.
Cwtch
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You got there before me! That voice. That presence. Ahhhhhh.
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I’ll have to listen to that one … perhaps I’ll include it next time I play this song.
Cwtch
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Also strongly reminds me of Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues:
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Bliss. I still have the first pressing of the album ‘Days of Future Past’
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I can see that … hadn’t thought of it, but now that you mention it, yeah, I can see … er, hear … the similarities.
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The list of the performers show how good the song is. Thanks for mentioning all the versions, and the song itself, Jill! Best wishes, Michael
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Agreed! Until I first posted this, I had no idea it had been covered by so many. Glad you enjoyed it! xx
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks, Michael!!!
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