Can’t live, if living is without you/
I can’t give, I can’t give any more.

Apparently, in “Without You”, Harry Nilsson had a fight with his lover. When she left that night, she said everything was fine, but he could tell everything was not okay. He thinks about a potential future without her and he realizes “I can’t live, if living is without you.” At the same time, he can’t give any more of himself. Nothing else is resolved in the song. He can’t be without her, but he can’t give any more of himself. They are at an impasse.

The tempo and volume of the piano and Nilsson’s voice start of so low in the beginning…almost as if he is about to cry. By the end of the song he is singing the same words, but screaming them out to the heavens futilely, as if he is at a loss for what to do. This dynamic range coupled with the great melody make for a memorable song.

Without You Lyrics

No, I can’t forget this evening,
Or your face as you were leaving.
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes.
You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows;
Yes, it shows.

No, I can’t forget tomorrow,
When I think of all my sorrows.
When I had you there but then I let you go;
And now it’s only fair that I should let you know,
What you should know.

I can’t live, if living is without you.
I can’t live, I can’t give any more.
Can’t live, if living is without you,
I can’t give, I can’t give any more.

Well, I can’t forget this evening,
Or your face as you were leaving,
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes.
You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows;
Yes, it shows.

Can’t live, if living is without you.
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore.
I can’t live, if living is without you,
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore.
(Living is without you).

Songwriters: Peter William Ham / Thomas Evans