Without a Song
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Vincent Youmans |
| Lyricists | Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu |
| Year Written | 1926 |
| About Without a Song | |
| “Without a Song” was written for the 1929 musical Great Day. It has been recorded by artists ranging from Perry Como to Mario Lanza to Frank Sinatra. Great Day was set in 19th century Louisiana; as a result some of the lyrics have been changed over time to remove currently objectionable language. | |
Lyrics
Without a song the day would never end
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong, a man ain’t got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he’s no good no-how
Without a song
I got my troubles and woe but sure as I know that Jordan will roll
I’ll get along as long as a song is strong in my soul
I’ll never know what makes the rain to fall
I’ll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain’t no love at all
Without a song
Session / Album Information
1956
Without a Song was recorded on September 12, 1956 and released in 1957 on the album Tony.
This recording also released on:
- 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony (2007)
- 2008: Not Now Music CD: NOT3CD010 — Three Original Hit Albums [UK]
- 2011: Disc #10 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK10) Tony
1958
“Without a Song” was recorded on December 22, 1958 and released in 1959 on the album In Person!
- Columbia LP 12″: LE 10125 — In Person! With Count Basie
- CBS LP 12″: 35DP159 — In Person! With Count Basie [Japan]
- CBS LP 12″: 20AP1418 — In Person! With Count Basie [Japan]
- Philips LP 12″: 840059BY — In Person! With Count Basie [UK]
- 1959: CBS LP 12″: BPG 62250 — In Person! [UK]
- 1959: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8104 — In Person! With Count Basie
- 1959: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1294 — In Person! With Count Basie
- 1959: Philips LP 12″: BBL 7398/SBBL 542 — In Person! With Count Basie [UK]
- 1983: CBS LP 12″ (Mono): 32373 — In Person! [UK]
- 1994: Columbia CD: CK 64276 — In Person! With Count Basie
- 1999: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CD: UDCD743 — In Person!
- 2008: Jasmine CD: JASCD482 — Together At Last/A Perfect Combination
- 2011: Disc #14 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK14) In Person!
1962
“Without a Song” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, but was not released until 1997 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall: Complete Concert. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.
This recording released on:
- 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
- 2011: Disc #24 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK24) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall