I Can't Go On Living Without You

[BiteUrLip]

Writer: Elton John

Producer: Caleb Quaye


I can't go on living without you, oh no

I once said I could go on without your love

I would be strong but things have changed and heaven's above

I know that I need you more than I did before


chorus:


I can't go on living without you, oh no my love

I can't go on living without you, oh no my love

I can't go on living without you, oh no

I can't go on living without you, oh no


If you could see the state I'm in you'd never know

That it was the same old me that told you to go

I've never been happy since I walked out on you


(repeat chorus)


You know that I've missed you more than anything at all

If there's any way to get you back I'll try it

I won't deny it, I'm lonely for you girl


(repeat chorus)

[BiteUrLip]

Pretty good, one of the better demos.

4½ stars.

[dougs]

"I Can't Go On Living Without You" from JEWEL BOX:

"I Can't Go On Living Without You" was written and also recorded in the summer of 1968.  Despite the songwriting credit identifying Bernie as lyricist, Elton recently noted that he wrote the lyrics to several of his earliest songs but wanted to give his new song-writing partner some credit.  Stated in the text included in the JEWEL BOX is "In many respects, the track "I Can't Go On Living Without You" marks the high point and the finale of this period of the duo's writing-to-order pop."  Elton and Bernie were being paid to try to write pop tunes that other artists could tap into for release.  It was Steve Brown who began suggesting to EJ & BT to move away from writing these kinds of easy-listening pop tunes and to focus more on what they truly want to write for themselves.  Great advice, indeed.

The claim to fame for "I Can't Go On Living Without You" is that it was selected for consideration as an entry song for UK's popular "Eurovision Song Contest."    The song was performed by Lulu on BBC on her popular show "Happening For Lulu" in February of 1969.  Six songs were selected for the contest and "I Can't Go On Living Without You" came in 6th place.  Generally, the critics were not enthusiastic either.  It died a quick death.   One critic stated "I strained my ear's to hear a non-existent melody coupled with a pathetic lyric."  Ouch.

Caleb Quaye is credited for guitars but also percussion and congas.  Dee Murray is credited for bass and Zach Lawrence as arranger.  The song did receive a few early covers but didn't ever create too much fuss.  It did for Elton & Bernie, as mentioned, signal the end to that early chapter of writing for others and the start of writing for themselves.  "I Can't Go On Living Without You" is a more-or-less pleasant enough lightweight middle-of-the-road pop tune without much weight or substance.  Better things were on the horizon...

Rating: 3 to 3 1/2 stars

Doug

[newloneranger]

Not bad for an early demo

3 1/2 stars