Remarks:
This was the first song sung by an Asian/Pacific Islander American to hit #1 on the US pop charts. That was in 1978. It went to #2 across the Anglosphere as a whole, but only reached #60 on the R&B chart.
It was also Elliman’s greatest hit, though at the time she dismissed it as “that current thing from Saturday Night Fever.” She was not into disco then nor did she think she had the voice for it. “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” (1971), which she sang for “Jesus Christ Superstar”, was more her speed.
This song was written by the Bee Gees. They did their own version of it, which, if you listen to it, you can tell why they had Elliman sing it instead. Kim Wilde’s cover in 1993 went to #3 in Australia.
In this age of 1970s remakes and reboots, maybe someone will do a new version.
See also:
- Welcome to Asian American History Month 2016
- songs: the 1970s
- Yvonne Elliman: I Don’t Know How To Love Him
- Al Green: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart – also written by the Bee Gees, also sung better by someone else.
Lyrics:
Don’t know why
I’m survivin’ every lonely day
When there’s got to be no chance for me
My life would end
And it doesn’t matter how I cry
My tears, so far, are a waste of time
If I turn away
Am I strong enough to see it through
Go crazy is what I will do
[Chorus]
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-huh, oh
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-hoh
Oh da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da
Oooh, oooh
Aahhhh! Aahhhh!
Can’t let go and it doesn’t matter how I try
I gave it all so easily to you my love
To dreams that never will come true
Am I strong enough to see it through
Go crazy is what I will do
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-huh, oh
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-hoh
Oh!
Aahhhh! Aahhhh!
Oh!
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-huh, oh
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-hoh
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-huh, oh
If I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody, baby
If I can’t have you uh-hoh
Source: mostly Songfacts.
Such a sweet, sad song. Her voice is lovely…perfect blend of musicianship and emotion. I have had a softspot for her version of this song since childhood.
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Yes, this is technically correct.
Maybe we can also see some future posts on some other milestones, eg,
* The Rocky Fellers – American-born Filipino band who was the first Asian American to chart the US billboard with “Killer Joe” in April 1963. (#16 nationally, but #1 in certain regional markets)
* Kyu Sakamoto – “Sukiyaki” – the first Asian (albeit not American) to hit #1 on the US billboard 100 in June 1963 and the first song (and only one I know of) to hit #1 in the USA which was sung in an Asian language.
* The Association had Filipino-American band members (Larry Ramos, then Del Ramos), which had the #1 hits “Cherish” (1966) “Windy” (1967) and “Never My Love” (1967 #1 on US Cashbox).
There were previously posts on the Black-eyed peas and Far East Movement.
Nat King Cole sung a Filipino pop song (“Dahil sa iyo”) in Tagalog.
(https://youtu.be/SScdsVXDCGQ)
The Lettermen sang “Sapagkat Kami Ay Tao Lamang”
(https://youtu.be/FUdALHyzlFE)
So did David Archleta (from American Idol) “Nandito Ako” – very good actually – almost as nice as the original Ogie Alcasid version.
(https://youtu.be/RgZa8inesXE)
In addition to these, there are many US-born artists who hit the #1 pop charts overseas. Maybe it would be good to include some of those? Maybe I could make up a short incomplete list. It is an unfortunate, but nevertheless true fact that many are compelled to go overseas to develop their careers.
Most chart-topping Asian American artists may be unknown to most Americans if their success is largely outside the USA.
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further to my comment (in moderation), how can we forget about Bruno Mars!
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@Abagond: A post on Bruno Mars would be splendid I second that.😀
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Excellent post – Great vocals! That’s how I feel! I’m not die-hard about one person though, but if I can’t find ‘the one’ then I don’t want nobody baby! 😉
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Awesome throwback! As soon as I saw the post title I could hear the lady crooning! Her powerful vocals came to me in an instant! 🙂
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I do remember this song from back in the day.
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Me. Elliman was my first celebrity crush. I was 5 and watching Jesus Christ Superstar for the first time. She’s amazing.
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Nice to see some appreciated of an underappreciated singer (Elliman,that is.) Liked that song SNF song too (love that whole soundtrack to death, actually, ’cause it’s that damn good.) Why her career never really took off after that hit, is surprising, because she obviously could sing. Her albums probably weren’t promoted enough, that’s why I guess.
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Surprised no one mentioned the biggest out of left field surprise radio/video hit of 2012—the fun as heck dance tune “Gangnam Style” by Korean rapper Psy—which actually made the American charts due to its fun as hell video with its crazy dance routines—despite the fact that the song was sang/rapped entirely in Korean. It actually got played on mainstream radio stations for a minute, and the video inspired countless spoofs and ripoffs–it was hilarious. y favorite one was the election spoof of it with Mitt Romney. Here’s the crazy and just plain fun original:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xw-WOhE1pQ)
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