Originally written and released by Badfinger in November 1970, this week's "Remake of a Classic" is often mistaken as an original tune by Harry Nilsson. Yes, Nilsson had a major hit when he covered the song in 1971 on his Nilsson Schmission album, but, the truth is he originally heard it at a party and thought it was a Beatles tune. Ironically, Paul McCartney has called "Without You" the "Killer song of all time". Double ironic considering Badfinger's Pete Ham and Tom Evans (who wrote the song) both committed suicide (see my other Badfinger covers for the details).
Mariah Carey released a version of the song in January 1994, just over a week after Nilsson died of a heart attack. I have to admit, since I'm not a fan I've never bothered to listen to her version.
So far, there has been something like 180 covers of this tune (well, make that 181). My version is a hodge-podge of the original, Nilsson's version, and my own concoction (which at times leans on the heavy side). I had a lot of fun with the solo in this.