Harry Nilsson – Without You

General CommentI have always loved this song and I agree, I think it captures the intensity and emotion of a breakup. I also love that he realizes he's made a mistake by breaking up with the other person because it feeds into that fantasy we've all had when someone has broken up with us and we want them to realize they still want us. (sigh)

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  @PhoebeQ

General CommentThis song is doomed in many ways. A tragic and sad love song. More ominously are the number of dark trajic events surrounding it.
Both the original writers (Ham and Evans) from Badfinger never made any money on royalties from the more commercially successful Nilson version. They then separately hung themselves. Nilson had a promising career but then after many years of alcoholism finally died on the day Maria Carey rereleased the song. After this song she herself had a number of problems related to drugs. Probably not a song any artist perhaps should cover....
With reference Nilsonn's version - it is completely different to the Badfinger version. Both are very good in different ways.
Nilson's vocals are perfect, the sheer emotion in the chorus still sends a shiver don your spine. Simple lyrics always say so much.

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  @CharmingMan

General CommentI was not aware of either the Badfinger version or the Air Supply cover! thanks guys :-)

I think this is the best version though, much better than the Mariah Carey version.

A very powerful song and one of the best love songs ever IMO.

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  @robturney

General CommentThis song is my favourite. But doesn't it mean that she was dying "I can't forget this evening
Or your face as you were leaving " & " You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows" means that she is sorry that she has to leave.
When you analyse the song closely, it doesn't actually mean that they are breaking up.
"When I had you there but then I let you go" also depicts the death of his lover, when he thinks he could have saved.

The second verse was really confusing, as it is said in past tense, and it has tommorrow in it.

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  @Shadose
  0

  I think he uses the term tomorrow because he could have had her in his future if he really wanted, but he let her go instead. It was for her own good, and it's what he thought he wanted, but the decision haunts him.
  
  I don't see death in the song. I see a painful breakup where both people still want to be together but have to give up on the relationship because they want different things out of life. They've known it for a long time but they hang on because they love each other. Eventually, they conclude that they both have to move on to get what they want out of life.
  
  I'm not even going to try to pretend I'm not talking about myself here. It's a powerful song, and I think it's general enough to apply to many lovesick situations.

  Flag rpn453on November 18, 2009  

General Commentintense extremely, the words the music, the emotions. well i just can't get the suiside scene from "rules of attraction" out of my head once i hear it, it does suit it and/or if your in the thought of suiside or depression. But yeh this could be about breakup the guit someone goes through. intensly sad song :( but its beautiful.

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  @fabolous_soya

General CommentHam was walking down the halls of the recording studio, when he haerd Nillsson recording it, the way Harry was singing and belting out the lyrics, and the composing of the music was what ham wanted, the other band members of Badfinger wanted the slow mellow version they recorded. A big mistake for Badfinger, great break for Harry. Till the day he killed himself ham, always felt that badfinger made a bad decisson on this song. Which I feel they did also. Ham wanted to take this song to the style and limit that harry did. Can't remember or not if Harry had this song used in the very rare, very unknown movie "Son of Dracula" with Ringo Star starring in it. I know Jump into the fire was used by Harry in the movie, in fact I think he did all the songs. But Nillsson for years had influences on the beatles, other british bands, plus Old Blue Eyes recorded quite a few of his songs also. Remeber harry was born in 1939 I think, by his 29s he was having songs recorded by others, the british bads took their cues from people like Nillsson, and the blues coming out of the south. It was the british bands like the Beatles, and Rolling Stones, and others will tell you the Blues had gave them a very strong impression of these people from Harry Nillsson, to Sonny Boy Williamson,and others.

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  @Aryth

General Commenthate typos to lazy to check my typos, meant 20s not actually 29.

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  @Aryth

General CommentWell even though the original version was done by Badfinger, they also wrote it, Nilsson delivers an amazing perfromance, shows tragedy and pain.

But the best cover of the song by far is made by Air Supply, you ought yourselves to listen to it, it's on their album "The Earth Is" in case you want to check it out.

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  @MookieBomber

General CommentHam & Evans - not some breakfast food - but two Swansea guys - comments allude to their hanging themselves - the real story is far deeper I think.
Jack boys rule - so much talent

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  @nagromnai

General Commenti heard this song on the radio one time and his voice just...it was like i HAD to stop and listen. it was so weird, but in a good way, you know??

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  @PrEsLeYsBiGsIsTa