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Without Love (There Is Nothing)

Rating:
4.4 / 5

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).

Lex wrote on January 09, 2009
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).
1 BILLION SOLD wrote on February 26, 2010
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!!!
derekd wrote on February 26, 2010
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'
Monster wrote on February 26, 2010
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.
shoesuedeblues wrote on February 26, 2010
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.
Deano1 wrote on February 26, 2010
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.
dgirl wrote on February 26, 2010
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.
My boy, my boy wrote on February 26, 2010
Perfect delivery from the King on a very uneasy song to sing...
Monster wrote on February 26, 2010
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.
bajo wrote on February 26, 2010
When I listen to this, especially the finale, my hair actully tend to stand up. It is one the most fantastic Elvis vocals ever!
old shep wrote on May 18, 2011
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.
dgirl wrote on May 18, 2011
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.
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on May 18, 2011
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.
Marty_TCE wrote on May 18, 2011
Absolutely beautiful.
Pedro Nuno wrote on March 22, 2012
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.
freedom101 wrote on March 22, 2012
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. ;)
GEORGE (GK) wrote on March 22, 2012
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.
Gorse wrote on January 07, 2013
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
ElvisSacramento wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
alanfalk wrote on January 27, 2013
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) ??
Steve V wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
alanfalk wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
kink56 wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
Lou A wrote on January 27, 2013
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.
sugartummy wrote on May 30, 2013
Elvis clearly took The Drifters version with Clyde McPhatter as an example, not Tom Jones'. Elvis has the best version anyway.
Cruiser621 wrote on February 13, 2015
Not one of my favorites to be honest.
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