For the love of rock
Vol IV, Issue 1 – Life without you (01 Jan 2019)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Life without you
Band – Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble
Writer– Stevie Ray Vaughan
Album- Soul To Soul
Release year– 1985
Life without you
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
“Stevie Ray Vaughan” popularly known as SRV, is undoubtedly one of the most influential blues rock guitarists of 1980s. Born in 1954 in Texas, he was into blues since his early days, along with his brother Jimmy Vaughan. He became highlighted when he was hired by David Bowie as lead guitarist for his album “Let’s Dance.” With his band Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble’s debut album “Texas Flood” in 1982, Stevie consolidated his status as a cult white blues guitarists. Dubbed by many critics as one of the greatest blues guitarists that ever lived, his life was cut short in a tragic helicopter crash in 1990. His fame has been proven time and again with numerous awards that were credited to him posthumously.
“Soul To Soul” was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble’s third album, released in 1985. Although it was not acclaimed as powerful as his previous albums, it did have some memorable songs and it was ultimately certified platinum in USA.
“Life without you” is one of the songs, for which Stevie Ray Vaughan may not be represented for, but definitely it is a memorable song. It is more of slow rock ballad than his stereotypical blues number. But the song is immensely powerful ballad that is perhaps one of his best sentimental songs. It became a staple song in his concerts and various extended renditions of the song are available.
The song begins with a soft, catchy guitar plucking by Stevie, followed by slow bass and soft drums. When Stevie’s painful voice starts singing, the listener immediately gets molten into the song. It’s a simple love song describing the life when the loved one has been gone. The song does not follow the pattern of a typical rock number. Instead, it gets carried on with lyrics for almost two third and then at the end, virtuoso Stevie’s fabulous lead goes on. The song fades away with the lead till the end.
No doubt, Stevie Ray Vaughan is God of 1980’s blues scene, but when a prodigal blues player sings a slow soft ballad, you just can’t have life without it!!!
Happy listening!!
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Allmusic.com, genius.com
Life without you
Well, hello baby
Tell me how have you been?
We all have missed you
And the way you grin
The day is necessary
Every now and then
For souls to move on
Given life back again
Fly on, fly on
Fly on my friend
Go on, live again
Love again
Day after day
Night after night
Sittin’ here singin’
Every minute
As the years go passin’ by
By, by, by
A long look in the mirror
We come face to face
Wishin’ our love
We took for granted
A love we had yesterday
Life without you
Lyrics link- https://genius.com/Stevie-ray-vaughan-and-double-trouble-life-without-you-lyrics
Video link – https://youtu.be/2FbJZT8sSVQ