"Without a Song" (1965)- James Cleveland and the Cleveland Singers

"Without a Song" is one of James Cleveland's most remembered and most popular recordings. In 1966, this song peaked at #18 on the Cash Box Magazine R&B singles chart. He put his twist on this old pop tune as only he could do. In this song, James says "The day would never end without a song". I know for myself that I just can't end some days, "Without a Song", especially a GOSPEL song! My favorite line is "I've got my troubles and woe, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll, but I'll get along as long as a song is down in my soul." That's a testimony right there, many gospel songs have taken me (and are still taking me through) school and life, and I couldn't have gotten though those times, "Without a Song".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gospel
• christian
• james
• cleveland
• soul
• singers
• religious
• martha
• jean
• the
• queen
• Detroit
• radio

[alyciacole]

I also am a Detroiter, grew up listening to this when Martha Jean's program came on at 12:00noon...but do ya'll know Frank Sinatra originally recorded this in the 40's?

[JayEm86]

This song was originally recorded way back in the late 20s or 30s. I forgot the name of the group that recorded it though.

[steven2312]

I Wonder Was Roger roberts Still Singing Wit Him??

[JayEm86]

I think I can hear him, not sure though.

[sledge1545]

I miss inspiration time at noon too. God bless Martha Jean the Queen

[mspterry]

Thank you so much for this song I listen to it everyday going to work on Martha Jean the Queen and everyday I had tears in my eyes it was so comforting for me. I have tears in my eyes now. My favorite song. THANK YOU pt-detroit,michigan

[treasuretreat]

Thanks for posting....I needed to hear this at 2:21 a.m. May God keep you near

[MrDen7515]

This song keeps me grounded in my Detroit roots.

[mrjchunt3]

i remember growing up at my grandmothers, and martha jean station Am1400 would play this song every morning at 6am. Good Times.....

[mrjchunt3]

i remember growing up at my grandmothers, and martha jean station Am1400 would play this song every morning at 6am. Good Times.....

[sammydke84]

This song is truly a Detroit treasure. when this song came on you knew it was 12 noon.

[blacsouljah]

@alyciacole Wow! I'm also a Detroiter who grew up listening to this recording on local radio. But I didn't know that. Thanks for informing us.

[hanknell]

@alyciacole I had no idea. I also grew up in Detroit and remember Martha Jean the queen playing this song everyday. Then after she went off the air, Pastor James Beal would come on the air. He had this wonderful Speaking voice. Martha was something. She'd get on the air in the mornins and come Profit sharing time for factory workers, she'd tell all the women, "Child, today is Profit sharing check day. Don't let that man lie to you about that money." LOL! I miss the old WJLB am.

[wimdallk]

Marha Jean words cannot say what she meant to me and the Detroit area I can remmeber this song as a kid on my grandmother Hi-Fi in the early 70's, as a teenager in the 80, and then I started listing to this song on my way to work in my 30's, until her passing.

[Courtlane91]

Just sitting here listening to this song brings me back to days past. I want someone to actually put up a recording of her, she was amazing! Am I the only one who remembers her saying the 91 Psalm??? I learned the whole thing listening to her.

[ceciliafrank1]

I think Martha Jean the Queen made this song famous. I had gotten a 45 of this song. I think I played it so much the record almost disappeared. Love it! Thanks Ditto.