DON McLEAN: "SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU" (1981)

[Noragirlie63]

I love Don McClean - I would dearly like to see him perform live ..... he is on my before I or he dies cos I may be younger than him but you never know ...... this is just fantastic - I love it when men hit the high notes and this is just so cheesy 1950's stylee stuff

[tbskeet]

Simply beautiful...................

[Kornifigur]

it is another workshop,because the lead vocal sings..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiii ..much higher..I can not dig it man but this is nice but a bit lower than original :)

[saudibint]

thumps up if your're here for Don McLean

not guns and roses

[Sheldon66]

A good cover of this song no doubt....but the best one was by Ronnie Milsap without question. Gun's n Roses version was also good too.

[44440414]

Wow!! Terrific example of a voice that is truly a musical instrument. Great version of a great song.

[TheKisKovacs]

and I love you so

[windsong1a]

Great song no matter who does it....but The Skyliners did it first AND best!

[55102]

@windsong1a agree with you

[TheKisKovacs]

It's unbearable that I won't see him on stage!

[niishnob74]

no one talks like that any more. let a lone writes music that is for real. awesome song, but im afraid the music died. =(.....

[beachpacker15]

both versions r gud huh,,,,depending on ur mood,,,,chico15

[emofolkie]

I love it when Don pushes himself as a singer with covers like this and Crying, but I love him best singing with his old laidback style.

[phieagle1]

@emofolkie Hate to say this Crying was not a cover Don wrote the song Orbison covered it

[phieagle1]

@emofolkie sorry I was wrong about my last post

[2008ljr]

Who would have thought Guns and Roses would remake this song.

[soniclady89]

@2008ljr

Even Axl Rose appreciates a great 53 yr old song when he hears it - lol :)

[Kornifigur]

@soniclady89 guess that he was younger,much ,younger about thirties when he readopt it with his band G'N'R

[u02920]

Superb version of a great song! 

[baddmove]

Ronnie Milsap does it the best..cant find it though..bummer

[MissSugarling]

i like guns and roses version

[DaveWollenberg]

Don's version hit #23 in Billboard, 5-30-81. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!

[OneLaBonBon]

Wonderful! I had sorta forgotten what a great singer he is!

[bitch21witch]

I'm huge fan of Heavy Rock, but I prefer this version more than the one by Guns'n Roses.

[L34th3rm4n]

who sung the original one? :D

[mocalsa]

@L34th3rm4n ''THE Skyliners'.......1959. They got a 'Gold Record' for it. I believe Lennie Welch's was in 1961or '62

[brazilianwoman09]

Eu amo essa Música! oh my god!

Ich liebe es!

i love it!

[dthomson014]

Thanks for posting,the best version in my opinion,Don Mclean could teach todays so called singers a thing or two.

[dthomson014]

Beautiful song

[hillbilly2bill]

"Don McLean's career changed directions and he started recording with

Elvis Presley's backing singers, " The Jordanaires" and many of

Elvis' musicians.. " quote from Wikipedia..the best I could find..

hope this helps..

[FrankGMalone]

Sonic Lady,

Could you post with your excellent Graphics Don's Version of "Your Cheatin Heart"?

I really enjoy your composition etc.

Thx in Advance.

FM

[ruthita418]

Great voice. This is my favorite version.

[oomba92]

never have i ever heard anyone sing this song better than don mclean...love it

[vadooladead]

ya gotta hear Streisand's version....simply awesome.

[zachpach101]

i got 2 words for you HOLY ____

(THATS A COMPLUMENT COUSE HES SO GOOD)

[yaiwolf1]

I like this version...The Skyliners put it on the map and they will be my all time favorite!

[FrankGMalone]

A Timeless Classic by a Gifted Talented Artist!

[bpsmediaspin]

This is one of my all-time favorite early rock songs, and the only place I've ever heard it done as well as this was in a fictionalized movie about the tragic early rock and roll DJ, Alan Freed. The film (American Hot Wax) stars Laraine Newman as the aspiring teen songwriter based on the real Carole King who (in the film, at least) wrote this beautiful song from the depths of her heart at the age of 14 when her dad forbade her to write any more songs.

[bpsmediaspin]

I agree with you, too, SonicLady. This is one of my all-time favorite early rock songs, and the only place I've ever heard it done as well as this was in a fictionalized movie about the tragic early rock and roll DJ, Alan Freed. The film (American Hot Wax) stars Laraine Newman as the aspiring teen songwriter based on the real Carole King who (in the film, at least) wrote this beautiful song from the depths of her heart at the age of 14 when her dad forbade her to write any more songs.

[heycolslaw]

I had the feeling that he could sing high but this is the first time I heard him put it to the test: Now I'm sure he could have sung soprano!

[ONENIGGER2ANOTHER]

Damn Don McLean can sing his ass off!!

[Wolfsky9]

Both Don & Ronnie Milsap do this all-time 50's Classic with style, verve, & total class. Bravo Don !! Wolfsky9

[zachpach101]

best version EVER!

[Ruby445]

The beauty of this recording is not just the quality of McLean's voice but the incredible respect he shows for the original version of this haunting melody.

[JimInNashville]

Thanks, I once owned the album this first appeared on in vinyl. A reviewer in Stereo Review said it might be the single greatest high note ever hit on a pop record, and I have to agree. It shows you the astonishing talent of Don McLean in a whole new light.

[cezar1951]

I loved the post and the interpretation

[Wolfsky9]

There were many who didn't like this version, but I differ--I loved it. DM gave a wonderful --clear, clean, vocal, & he hit those high notes pretty good too. Wolfsky9

[LEWOOF]

no one comes close to this version.....Mclean takes this to the next level

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.

[justlilyanne]

What happened to DonMcLean he should have been one of the Greats! I my book he is but overall?

[wilsoncfc]

heard most of the versions of this song hes just the best

[t12uesdaysdead]

love don mclean but this sounds like a girl.skyliners for me .

[arhuxtable]

First the Skyliners,then Art Garfunkel,then Don McLean,then Guns 'N Roses. This is a real popular one.

[pinkirishgoatz]

great version:) but my favorite is brian setzer's version

[soniclady89]

@pinkirishgoatz

Ooh.... Just love Brian Setzer's Americano - there's fab version here on YT

[Wolfsky9]

@pinkirishgoatz To soniclady89, Do you know who the background singers are on this? They just do such an awesome job--this is without question, a vocal tour de froce, on a song not easily done well. Wolfsky9

[soniclady89]

@Wolfsky9

Not sure... can't find anything on google either.

I do know that Don worked a lot with Elvis' old backing singers, The Jordanaires - but only on songs before the 1980's ..... Could it be The Jordanaires on 'Since I don't have you'? . . . . . Possibly, but nothing's certain.

:)

[VICTORIAvampireMETAL]

@pinkirishgoatz guns n roses version :/

[pinkirishgoatz]

@VICTORIAvampireMETAL Meh... "Yep, we're fucked"

lol

[bigwatto95]

@pinkirishgoatz You'll probably hate me, but I like Guns N' Roses version. But this version is the best, by far!!

[pinkirishgoatz]

@bigwatto95 Well they don't play it THAT badly so I don't hate you lol

[tonywsmith2]

Well-intended, and well-produced, but the singer has ten per cent of Jimmy Beaumont's chops Jimmy also happened to write the tune), and the falsetto is just plain silly.

[kramnotlad13]

Beautiful song and singer. Ronnie Milsap is fabulous doing this tune, as well.

Thank you!!

[thatduffgirl]

This one goes out to you, god.

[marianellalebon]

extremelly nice

[ToddSweeneyOnce]

His version of "Crying" is the best ever, hands down.

[dld3151]

Don's voice is just as pure as that of Jimmy Beaumont, lead singer of The Skyliners. Just beautiful!  Thanks for posting this.

[Geezer895]

Don McLean does other artists' songs real justice; this song and his cover of 'Crying' are just superb.

[DaveWollenberg]

Hit #6 AC, #23 pop in Billboard. God bless!

[toms2b]

I just heard an interview with him on the Lost 45s this weekend that that high note he hits at the end-- that's the only time he's ever been able to hit that note. He lost his voice, didn't spead for 2 weeks, then went in to the studio to record some songs and tried hitting the note and made it. The one and only time. Heck of an artist!

[debrah51]

Still my favorite song and I am dedicating this to that one person in my life whom I can never forget the wonderful memories we shared together - He is my Johnny Angel

[mattanddi62]

this version is awesome. I remember this song and his version of Cryin' on the radio in 1981. Great times.

[alatz500]

Bellísima

[graciesugrey]

simplimente lindo lindo lindo.....

[AngelGunner21]

I am a GnR fan and like their version, but Don McLean can make every song sound so GREAT.

Also like the original.

Bottom line - this song is awesome :)

[bronxboy1952]

Don has always been my absolute favorite artist. I have been to probably a dozen of his concerts over the years and you just don't get tired of his songs or his syle. He is just incredible and shows no interest in retiring (which is so good for those of you who wish to see him in concert). Just a phenomenal entertainer!! You can actually hear all the words of EVERY song he sings. No special effects, unless you want to call his talent, a special effect that can't be duplicated nor equaled.

[chewybunz]

I do like G 'N R's cover, but nobody kills this tune like McLean.

[BignJames]

Art Garfunkel does a great version of this as well...btw...the Jordanaires do the backing on this.

[2008msykes]

I've been a Don McLean fan since "Miss American Pie", but I have to say I still like The Skyliners' version better. By the way, Guns 'N' Roses suck at covering The Skyliners. Axl Rose is no Jimmy Beaumont.

[teezbeatz]

the skyliners version was also in the george lucas's movie "american grafitti" :)

[soniclady89]

Just loooove that film!

All those really GREAT old songs.

[riversidefan2]

The original was recorded by the Skyliners, released in 1959

[mayamgk0220]

Don can pretty cover any 40,50's and 60's music you've heard Roy Orbison's "Crying"..and the very hard to find Angel Eyes by Frank Sinatra!

Amongst countless others!

He is the master at Cover Songs!

Heart-breakers and Earthshaking performances!

Hats Of to Don!

[kifferd]

i think he looks like Don McLean

[jayniz211]

yah ive been thinking of that hehehe he looks like adam zandler really...and he got the awesome voice...i have his greatest hits album.....

[carlogiove63]

semplicemente bello!!

[Tejano44]

Just to Beautiful for words . Thanks for posting .

[madalinnaa]

I didn't know this was the original song, \guns are playing this song good, but this is really cool to :)

[jlsfla01]

This is just a flat out knock out version by Mclean. This guy is just a remarkable talent.

[MOSFET2288]

I thought that Don McLean did an absolutely wonderful rendition of this song. The guy is flat-out talented and I am sorry I wasn't cognizant of his talent during his prime years.

[kimmypie88]

his voice takes my breath away sends shivers down my spine i just go to pieces help don to the rescue

[LEWOOF]

just fantastic vocals

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[averagehomosapien]

my favorite version ever!!!

[Subfightr]

Mine too. I really like your nick btw :)

[averagehomosapien]

Thanks!

Given, I am a bit biased because I heard the Don McLean version first. But if you actually listen to the original by the Skyliners, the high part at the end doesn't sound as smooth, plus they don't even try to hit the really high note. The Guns N' Roses one is okay, if you like that kind of thing..

[soniclady89]

I heard the Guns' version 1st . . years ago:

But I much prefer THIS version . .. so smoooooth.

[MrsTaylorLautner1269]

@soniclady89 i LUV the GNR version

[kasparhauser1234]

I loved your vid. Thanks. Adam Sandler, of course.

[miller83lima]

Cuando escuche a Don Mac lean alla por los 80, nunca imagine que esta cancion iba formar parte de mis solitarios dias ...sin ella. Que tal manera de interpretar la soledad , el ritmo, la melodia la lirica, la voz....es una de las mejores canciones para los que hemos perdido al ser mas querido, al mas amado, al que lo transformaba todo, no se si las canciones de este tipo sirven para aliviar o profundizar el dolor, solo se que se siente el alma vibrar hasta lo mas profundo....buen tema tfup

[maricela0000]

esta es una de las mejores versiones de Since I dont have you a parte de Guns N Roses

gracias por el video esta muy bonito

[soniclady89]

at 01:41

anyone else think there's more than a passing resemblence between Adam Sandler and Don McLean?

[littleorv29]

naw more like bob dylan.

[cls14]

Must agree with you SonicLady. This is a wonderful version!