"Since I Don't Have You" is a song written and composed by Jackie Taylor, James Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joseph Rock, Joe Verscharen, Lennie Martin, and Wally Lester. It was a 1958 hit single for the doo-wop group the Skyliners on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music singer Ronnie Milsap had a hit with the song in 1991. Guns N' Roses also had some success in 1994 with their top ten hit cover on the UK Singles Chart.
The Skyliners version
Background
Taken from their self-titled album and released in late 1958, the single reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 7 on the Cash Box Top 100.[1] It was also a top five hit on the 1959 R&B chart. It was highlighted by lead singerJimmy Beaumont's powerful vocals, and the counterpoint between his falsetto and Janet Vogel's soprano, on her final chorus.
Don McLean's 1981 rendition, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, is the cover version to come closest to the success of the Skyliners' original in the USA. It was a major Adult Contemporary hit, reaching number six in the U.S.[4] and number two in Canada.[5]
This song was covered by the rockbandGuns N' Roses on their album, "The Spaghetti Incident?". This was Guns N' Roses' 18th single release overall, and the third single lifted from "The Spaghetti Incident?". The single was released in mid-1994. It reached #69 on the Hot 100 and was a top 10 hit in the UK. The music video features actor Gary Oldman – then a popular casting choice for Hollywood villains[14] – as a smiling demon who is constantly mocking singer Axl Rose. The video was the last to feature original members Duff McKagan and Slash, as well as drummer Matt Sorum and rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke. It is also (to date) the last music video released under the "Guns N' Roses" name.
In 1994, the song was incorporated into the first Broadway revival of Grease as a solo for Sandy, near the end of the first act, and sung by Susan Wood. Subsequent versions of the musical have not included the song.
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