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LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME - LYRICS
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Music by Walter Donaldson, lyrics by Gus Kahn
Published 1928
Say, love me or leave me and let me be lonely
You won't believe me but I love you only
I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else
You might find the night time the right time for kissing
Night time is my time for just reminiscing
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
There'll be no one unless that someone is you
I intended to be independently blue
I want your love, don't wanna borrow
Have it today to give back tomorrow
Your love is my love
There's no love for nobody else
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ABOUT THIS TRACK
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"Love Me or Leave Me" is a popular song written in 1928 by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was introduced in the Broadway musical comedy Whoopee!, which opened in December 1928. Ruth Etting's performance of the song was so popular that she was also given the song to sing in the play Simple Simon, which opened in February 1930.
The original version of the song, the biggest-selling at the time, was recorded by Ruth Etting on December 17, 1928. It was issued by Columbia Records as catalog number 1680-D, with the flip side "I'm Bringing a Red, Red Rose", another Donaldson/Kahn composition. The song reached #2 on the charts in 1929.
Other versions which also enjoyed popularity at this time were by Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians, with a vocal by Carmen Lombardo (recorded March 20, 1929, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 1782D, with the flip side "I'm Still Caring") and by Leo Reisman and his orchestra (recorded April 22, 1929, released by Victor Records as catalog number 21966A, with the flip side "Sweet Chewaulka, Land of Sleepy Water".
A recording made on December 24, 1947 by Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter's orchestra was released in 1951 by Decca Records as catalog number 27667.
As the song was considered to be one of Etting's biggest hits, its title was chosen for the 1955 biographical movie about her life, in which Doris Day played Etting. Day's recording of the song, from the soundtrack, became a major hit for her. The same year, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lena Horne also experienced success with their versions of the song.
Davis's version was released by Decca Records as catalog number 29484, with the flip side "Something's Gotta Give". It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on May 28, 1955 and lasted 12 weeks on the chart. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #20; on the Best Seller chart, at #12.(However, another source gives the highest position as #9, but lists this as a position for the combined two sides of the record, "Love Me or Leave Me" and "Something's Gotta Give.")
Horne's was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-6073. It reached the Billboard magazine Disk Jockey chart on July 9, 1955, its only week on the chart, at #19. In the United Kingdom, it was released 1955 by HMV Records as catalog number B-309 (78rpm) and 7M-309 (45rpm),. Both releases were with the flip side "I Love To Love".
Singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone also recorded the song on her debut album Little Girl Blue (1958) and Let It All Out (1966). The version was released as a single in 1959 by Bethlehem Records as catalog number 11021 and by Australian Parlophone Records as catalog number A-8008, with the flip side "I Loves You Porgy". It includes a solo in the style of J.S. Bach's Inventions.
Ella Fitzgerald included her rendition on her 1962 Verve release Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson which won a Grammy Award in 1963.
credits
from Out with the wrong women,
released October 21, 2017
Recorded in 1 day in the autumn of 2017 at Porcupine Studio London.
Engineered by Nick Taylor.
Produced by Benoit Viellefon & Nick Taylor.
MUSICIANS:
Benoit Viellefon - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Andrew Oliver - Piano & Backing vocals
David O'Brien - Double bass & Backing vocals
Benoit Viellefon is a French singer and guitarist established in the UK. Specialised in 1920's 1930's and 1940's music,
Benoit is resident at Ronnie Scotts and other famous clubs. Benoit appears in many Hollywood films, TV and radio productions, festivals, and performed for VIP such as Madonna, the Queen, or the Kremlin. He often tours with his 3 bands: The Orchestra, the Hot Club, the trio....more
Martin Wheatley is THE BEST guitar, steel guitar, pedal steel, ukulele player in the UK, and when it comes to 1920-1930-1940's music. He is the authority on the music of this period and a virtuoso! Benoit Viellefon
A collection of jazz standards from this Chicago artist recalls the genre’s swing era, with waltzing rhythms and skipping guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 12, 2021
