Without a Song

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"Without a Song" is a popular song.

The music was written by Vincent Youmans, the lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. The song was published in 1929.

The song was included in the musical play, Great Day.

It was twice recorded by Perry Como: the first time on January 11, 1951 and the second time in June, 1970 at a live performance at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. The 1951 recording was issued as a 78 rpm single in the United States by RCA Victor Records (catalog number 20-4033) and in the United Kingdom by HMV (catalog number B-10093). It was also included in a 1957 album, Dream Along With Me (RCA Camden catalog number CAL-403). The 1970 recording was issued on albums by RCA and its United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Japan subsidiaries, but not as a single. Nelson Eddy and Frank Sinatra both recorded versions of the song with what appear to be the original lyrics, including the line, "A darkie's born, but he's no good no how, without a song." In subsequent recordings, Sinatra never used the term "darkie" again, and later recorded versions included the altered text, "a man is born, but he's no good no how, without a song." [1]

In addition to artists like Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett, many African-American artists also successfully recorded the song, including Oscar Peterson, Louis Armstrong, Art Blakey, Art Tatum, Billy Ekstine, The Isley Brothers, The Ravens, Joe Henderson, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes. Sonny Rollins recorded a famous instrumental version, on his 1961 "comeback" album, The Bridge. Another version was recorded by Stanley Turrentine on his album "Never Let Me Go". (Blue Note 90838).