1939 song composed by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics based on a poem by Jane Brown Thompson;
"I Get Along Without You Very Well" is a popular song composed by
Hoagy Carmichael in 1939, with lyrics based on a poem written by Jane Brown Thompson.[1]
Thompson's identity as the author of the poem was for many years unknown, even to Carmichael; he had been handed the poem anonymously at an event at
Indiana University, and the poem only noted the author as "J.B.". Carmichael noted J.B.'s name in the song's sheet music as the author of the poem that inspired the lyrics, and asked for help to identify "J.B.". However, it wasn't until the mid-1950s that a positive identification was made. Jane Brown Thompson died the night before the song was introduced on radio by
Dick Powell.[1]
The story of the song was told in a 1957 episode of Telephone Time on ABC television. Carmichael and
Walter Winchell, who helped to locate "J. B.", appeared on the program.[3]
Notable recordings
Dick Todd and his orchestra (recorded February 8, 1939, released by
Bluebird Records as catalog number 10150, with the flip side "I Promise You"[4])
Charlie Barnet and his orchestra (recorded January 20, 1939, released by
Bluebird Records as catalog number 10119A, with the flip side "I'm Prayin' Humble"[4])
Karen Chandler – Her Dot single brought the song to #19 on Billboard's 1968 Easy Listening chart.
Larry Clinton and his orchestra (recorded January 20, 1939, released by
Victor Records as catalog number 26151A, with the flip side "The Masquerade Is Over"[5])
Tony Mitchell (released
1957 by
Liberty Records as catalog number 55110, with the flip side "Tell Me, Tell Me"[7])
Red Norvo and his orchestra (vocal by
Terry Allen; recorded February 8, 1939, released by
Vocalion Records as catalog number 4648, with the flip side "Kiss Me with Your Eyes"[8] and by
Conqueror Records as catalog number 9177, with the flip side "Could Be"[9])
Carly Simon – Torch (1981) - with an orchestral arrangement by Marty Paich. Record World said that Simon's "chilling vocal is the perfect vehicle for the strong lyrics, and Mike Mainieri's sensitive arrangement/production makes it a touching statement."[12]