In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Without Love
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The lyrics of Clyde McPhatter's "Without Love" speak to the idea that without love, life can feel empty and meaningless. The song's opening lines, "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," convey a sense of hopelessness and disappointment. The singer realizes that without love, he has nothing at all - no purpose, no reason to live.
McPhatter goes on to describe how he has achieved success in the world, but without love, it feels meaningless. The line "I have conquered the world, all but one thing did I have" emphasizes that love is the missing piece in his life. He also recalls a past relationship where he was blessed with the love of a good woman, but he couldn't appreciate it at the time. He shares the realization that "a heart without love cannot live."
Overall, "Without Love" is a powerful reminder that love is an essential part of life, and without it, everything else fades in comparison. It speaks to the human desire for connection and the importance of cherishing the love we have in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I awakened this morning, I was filled with despair
Today I felt hopeless and lost
All my dreams turned to ashes and gone, oh yeah
All my hopes and aspirations have failed and disappeared
As I looked at my life it was barren and bare
When I examined my existence, it was empty and devoid of any joy
Without love I've had nothing at all
I've realized that without love, my life has no value or meaning
Without love I've had nothing
Love is the missing piece in my life that makes everything else worthwhile
Without love I've had nothing at all
Love is the only thing that can truly fulfill me
I have conquered the world
I have achieved many things in life
All but one thing did I have
However, there is still one important thing missing
Once I had a sweetheart who loved only me
There was a time when I had someone who loved me unconditionally
There was nothing, oh that she would not give, oh no
She was willing to give everything for me
But I was blind to her goodness and I could not see
Unfortunately, I didn't appreciate her love and took her for granted
That a heart without love cannot live
I now understand that life without love is unbearable and meaningless
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Danny C. Small
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scouser on the Wirral
Written By Danny Small
First recorded by Clyde Mcphatter on 10 October 1956, reaching #6 on R&B & #19 on Pop Charts.
Covers:
Toni Arden (Dec 1956)
Ronnie Carroll (Mar 1957)
Rose Brennan (1957)
Ray Peterson (1963)
Ray Charles (Jun 1963)
Irma Thomas (Jun 1964)
Little Richard (May 1965)
Four Pennies (Oct 1966)
B.J. Thomas (1967)
Oscar Toney Jr, (Jan 1968)
Elvis Presley recorded a version on 23 January 1969, and released on his From Memphis to Vegas double album on 14 October 1969.
Tom Jones recorded the song on 19 November 1969 and released on 28 November 1969 peaking at #5 on pop chart.
Kamelhaj
Powerful song!
ausfan100
The 45 version of this song (as posted here) has never been reissued on either vinyl or CD. The issued 45 version is made up from two different takes. The first 48 seconds are unique to the single version. At that point, another take completes the song. The actual splice occurs at 48.8 seconds where Clyde then sings “Without L-o-v-e, I had nothing, Without Love, I had nothing - at all - I had conquered the world - but what then did I have…….…”.
All vinyl & CD reissues are the COMPLETE alt take which forms the second part of the song here . After the single, the song next appeared as the opening track on the 1957 LP "Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters" [Atlantic 8003] which I don't have, and I suspect the compilers of that album pulled the wrong tape for inclusion........ and thereafter that version has become the standard for all subsequent reissues of the song up to the present day. Clearly, no one at the vault is aware that the version issued on the original hit SINGLE is an amalgam of two takes. In case someone doubts what I have stated here, there are a number of differences between them , however, for the sake of brevity, I will highlight only one of them. At 25 secs here - compare how he sings the word "GOLD" with your reissue. On the 45, "GOLD" is sung in a variable tone. On reissues - it is a straight tone, without any variance whatsoever.
mrob75
performed with the purest of heart and soul....what an awesome version
Richard Smith
Master ful Thats all I can say about this singer. Saw him in 1959 in person. I had goose pimples through his whole set.
John M. Wenitong
I love this 'original' version - I had only ever heard Little Richard sing it previously. Thanks so much & wishing health & happiness to you & yours :)
Elaine Rudge
Oscar Toney Jr did it on the Bell Label - magnificent
Billy Henderson
Listen to Tom Jones. 😊😊
Mark Herron
Happy Birthday to Clyde McPhatter his Birth Card is Five 🕔 of Clubs! Merry Christmas ⛄🎄 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!
Victor Who
Doesn't get much better than this...
Carl Morris
Classic!!