Michael Bolton – How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
About the song
If you are a fan of Michael Bolton, you probably know his hit song “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You”. But did you know that this song was not originally written or recorded by him? In fact, this song has a long and interesting history that spans decades and genres. In this blog post, we will explore the origins and evolution of this classic ballad.
The song was co-written by Michael Bolton and Doug James in 1982, and it was supposed to be recorded by the Australian duo Air Supply. However, when the record label president Clive Davis asked to change the lyrics of the chorus, Bolton refused and kept the song for himself.
The first artist to record and release the song was Laura Branigan, who was known for her hit “Gloria”. She included the song in her second album Branigan 2 in 1983, and it became a huge success. It reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number twelve on the Hot 100 chart in the US, as well as number one on the Adult Contemporary chart in Canada.
Branigan’s version of the song was praised for its emotional delivery and powerful vocals. She performed the song on several TV shows, such as Solid Gold and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. She also sang it live in many concerts around the world.
Bolton did not record his own version of the song until 1989, when he included it in his sixth album Soul Provider. His rendition was even more successful than Branigan’s, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts in the US, as well as number three on the UK Singles Chart. It also won him a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1990.
Bolton’s version of the song was also praised for its soulful style and passionate vocals. He made a music video for the song, which featured him singing in a dark room while watching scenes of his former lover with another man on a TV screen. He also performed the song live in many occasions, such as at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2010.
The song has been covered by many other artists over the years, such as Air Supply, Kenny G, Celine Dion, Delta Goodrem, and Clay Aiken. It has also been translated into several languages, such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Chinese. The song has become a modern pop standard and a staple of romantic playlists.
How Am I Supposed To Live Without You is a song that has touched millions of hearts with its poignant lyrics and melody. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and music.
