Words & Music:
Danny Small
I awakened this morning, I was filled with despair
All my dreams turned to ashes and gone, oh yeah
As I looked at my life it was barren and bare
Without love I've had nothing at all
Without love I've had nothing
Without love I've had nothing at all
I have conquered the world
All but one thing did I have
Without love I've had nothing at all
Once I had a sweetheart who loved only me
There was nothing, oh that she would not give, oh no
But I was blind to her goodness and I could not see
That a heart without love cannot live
Without love I've had nothing
Without love I've had nothing at all
I have conquered the world
All but one thing did I have
Without love I've had nothing at all
Recordingdate: 1969/01/23, first released on: Back in Memphis (From Memphis to Vegas) (album)
Musicians
Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Without Love (There Is Nothing):
(guitar)
(guitar)
(sitar)
(bass)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(organ)
Others*
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(french horn)
(sax)
(sax)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(cello)
(cello)
(cello)
(viola)
(viola)
(viola)
(viola)
(viola)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
*Orchestra, overdubs
Availability
Find available albums with Without Love (There Is Nothing).
In opposition to Green Green Grass this was a close call between TJ and Elvis. TJ sings it with more power, Elvis with more feeling and emotion. I prefer the second (but love the first too).
I really like Tom Jones, but I dont think his version compares w El's at all. It just sounds like he's got to try too hard to make it powerful or emotional and Elvis' version is so natural. Plus, plain n simple, the sound of Elvis' voice is just far superior to ALL others!!!
Great time in Elvis's recording career. Without Love, along with all the other '69 recordings is fab'. I love the Memphis recordings, the only ones that equal the 60's tracks on 'Elvis is Back'
Love this song, five stars right there. But I do find it hard to choose between Elvis and Tom Jones' version. Elvis's was certainly more emotional, nice soulful feel to it whereas TJ's was a powerhouse performance. Mind you there was no shortage of power on Elvis' version. Two great performers giving thier own fantastic renditions of a first rate song so maybe I shouldn't try to choose between them. A damn hard song to sing but it sure is easy to listen to. Either version.
A song that Elvis tried in vain to capture in the Sun days, finally making a successful of it in 1969. Not a favourite Elvis song, maybe because I never really cared for the number anyway.
From the '69 "Memphis Sessions" comes this powerhouse ballad. Not one of my favorites and neither is the album (this album just sounds dated compared to "From Elvis In Memphis" and "That's The Way It Is"), but it is a very nice performance by Elvis. In my opinion, Elvis could out sing Tom Jones anyday of the week and this one AND "Green, Green Grass Of Home" prove that.
Yes this is very good. I like it better than TJ's version. That being said, TJ has the better versions of Green Green Grass & I'll Never Fall in Love Again.
Perfect delivery from the King on a very uneasy song to sing...
Just read a bit of trivia on this song. Tom Jones was asked recently what the most difficult song he ever had to sing and this song was it. By the end of it his pipes were just about blown out. I wonder what song Elvis would have chosen as his most difficult to perform??? He sure made Without Love sound like a breeze.
When I listen to this, especially the finale, my hair actully tend to stand up. It is one the most fantastic Elvis vocals ever!
Whether TJ had a better delivery than Elvis is open to endless conjecture, personally I think Jones has a much more powerful voice than Elvis. had. This of course doesn't mean that it was better! Never cared for the song though, and one I skip.
I like this one. I like it better than Tom Jones' version which was too dramatic. I think Elvis in 69 could do no wrong, like Elvis in the 50's. When he was committed no one could touch him (I dont count Hey Jude as a 'real' 1969 song). That being said, the other Tom Jones songs he covered, TJ beats him by a mile especially on I'll Never Fall In Love Again which I thought was awful by Elvis.
One of my favorites, i noticed that old shep wrote that Tom Jones had a more powerfull voice then Elvis had ? that's a load of Hogwash to say the least, to hear Elvis performing this song in comparison to Tom?, i say this..goodbye Tom.
A Strong and nice rendition, but not my cup of tea and far from beeing a highlight from the Memphis sessions. Never said nothing to me.
Elvis' voice is just so powerful on this one I feel the shockwaves everytime I listen to it. It deserves a zillion stars but that's not allowed, so I'll give him 10. ;)
I am extremely fond of Tom Jones, but I like Elvis' version of this song, more so. Elvis Presley in 1969, could do no wrong. He was coming off of the "highly rated" and "critically acclaimed" "ELVIS-TV SPECIAL", and he followed it up with the American studios recording sessions, in Memphis, where this song was recorded, among, so many other great songs. And, just before, and just after, he was trying to do movies, that were different from his previous movies, which were real good. And then he set Vegas on fire, with some of his best shows ever, in 1969 and 1970. The King was back and the world took notice. His records were topping the charts and his Vegas shows were sold out. Soon he was out on the road touring America to standing room only.
I am not a particular fan of the Tom Jones ' husky throaty' voice but he does a great job on this one. Elvis rendition is almost as good as he soars through the vocal register, and although it is in the second tier of the 69 sessions is still a very entertaining punchy performance
This is such a spectacular song and Elvis' rendition of it is magnificent. Tom Jones' rendition of it is spectacular too. I like their renditions of this gem equally.
Great version from Elvis, love the album too. Elvis sings just as good (if not better) as Tom on this number, I wonder if Tom could sing as well as Elvis on Surrender, Jailhouse Rock or So close, yet so far (from paradise) ??
Elvis in 69 was flawless. Ballads like this were fabulous and the arrangements done well unlike the later over blown, over produced ballads of the 70's which turned off so many of the older fans. Im glad he cut it with Chips instead of later on. There are some songs Elvis does better than Tom and visa versa. I dont think Tom would have even bothered with movie fluff stuff like So Close, Yet So Far, the most overrated song on this site.
It is kind of funny how some people always find their own taste in music supirior to others` (if they dont like a song and others do, then it is those people who overrate the song) , maybe someone here overrate their own ability to deside what good taste/music is.
In 1969, Elvis was at his best ! I truly Love all the music he recorded in Memphis. "Without Love" is another of those gems, he recorded at the American Studios.
Tom Jones give me a headache. I love this song by Elvis and his performance is fantastic. The only thing I can say, I wish Chips did not put so much echo on this and so many others from these sessions.
Great soaring vocal from Elvis on this song. There have been other great versions of this song by people like Clyde Mc Phatter, and Tom Jones , but Elvis version is probably the most heartfelt.
Elvis clearly took The Drifters version with Clyde McPhatter as an example, not Tom Jones'. Elvis has the best version anyway.
Not one of my favorites to be honest.