Without Love
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Overall Meaning

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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

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.



All comments from YouTube:

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!!

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