I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except when soft rains fall
And drip from leaves
Then I recall
The thrill of being sheltered in your arms
Of course, I do
But I get along without you very well

I've forgotten you just like I should
Of course, I have
Except to hear your name
Or someone's laugh that is the same
But I've forgotten you just like I should

What a guy
What a fool am I
To think my breaking heart
Could kid the moon
What's in store
Should I phone once more
No, it's best that I stick to my tune

I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except perhaps in Spring
But I should never think of Spring
For that would surely break my heart in two

What's in store
Should I phone once more
No, it's best that I stick to my tune

I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except perhaps in Spring
But I should never think of Spring
For that would surely break my heart in two

I Get Along Without You Very Well (Jane Brown Thompson/ Hoagy Carmichael)

I get along without you very well, of course I do,
Except when soft rains fall and drip from leaves, then I recall
The thrill of being sheltered in your arms, of course, I do,
But I get along without you very well.

I've forgotten you just like I should, of course I have,
Except to hear your name, or someone's laugh that is the same,
But I've forgotten you just like I should.

What a guy, what a fool am I,
To think my breaking heart could kid the moon.
What's in store? Should I phone once more?
No, it's best that I stick to my tune.

I get along without you very well, of course I do,
Except perhaps in Spring, but I should never think of Spring,
For that would surely break my heart in two. 

Hoagy Carmichael composed the song in 1938 for the lyric by a person he didn't know. 
It was performed by Dick Powell on radio in 1940 for its first time. 
Carmichael sings in 1952's film The Las Vegas Story  with Jane Russell.

The genesis of the song lies in an unsigned poem by Jane Brown Thompson. A university student gave a copy to Hoagy Carmichael. before securing the right of the poem, Carmichael composed the melody. It took Carmichael many years before he was able to locate lyricist. On the eve of Jan. 19, 1940.... the day Dick Powell introduced the song on radio.... Thompson died . Never a hit, the song was performed by Carmichael and Jane Russell in the 1952 movie The Las Vegas Story. (p. 64 of "Sinatra 101": E. O'Brien & R. Wilson/ Boulevard Books, 1996)

1938.
Hoagy collaborates with Frank Loesser on Heart and Soul (which every child seems to know how to plink out on the piano), Small Fry and Two Sleepy People, the latter of which is featured in Bob Hope's film Thanks for the Memory. He also composes College Swing, Kinda Lonesome, Men With Wings (from the Paramount film of the same name), Say it in French and I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes). This last song is from a poem handed to him on a scrap of paper signed only "J.B." Carmichael makes a national plea for the author to step forward, even enlisting the help of top newspaper columnist and radio personality Walter Winchell, but only imposters turn up. Finally, the author is located in Philadelphia: Mrs. Jane Brown Thompson. Sadly, Mrs. Brown passes away the night before the song is introduced by Dick Powell on national radio. Also, Hoagy's first son is born, Hoagy Bix Carmichael. (Copie from H. C. Collectin)

Billie Holiday sings so groovy!  Arranged by Ray Ellis. 
Here's the famous one by Chet Baker.  
Nina Simone is so beautiful!  
Lena Horn does it so well. 
Joni James sings with Nelson Riddle-like arrangement. 
Matt Monroe does it nicely. 
Tony Bennett sings it recently. 2002.

Andre Francis sings with the sceneries of north Italy, Firenze, Pisa or Lucca. 
Don Shelden sings so fine here, with pianist, Derek Smith. Very well. 


Sinatra sings on 1955's "In The Wee Small Hours."   
Carly Simon sings here: 1981.
Linda Ronstadt sings with Nelson Riddle back. 

Let's listen to CDs.

Billy Holiday sings on "Lady In Satin":  1958.
Diana Krall does it with arrangement by Claus Ogerman,: "Look Of Love"  2001. 
Nina Simone sings very emotional. 

Kurt Elling cooks it much modernly.  2001.

Carmen McRae gigs it "Live in Tokyo".  Apr. 15, 1986. 

Chet Baker sings.  1955.
Tony Bennett sings with Bill Charlap trio.  2002. 
June Christy sings so lovely.  
Betsyann Faiella sings Sinatra so finely: "Can I Be Frank?"  2001. 
Jim Ferguson, bassist/singer, does it so terrific.  1999.
Peggy Lee cooks a little differently with Q. Jones.  1961. 
Rosemary Clooney sings with Nelson Riddle, too. 
Stacey Kant cooks very cool here.  2003. 
Beegie Adair plays the songs of Carmichael by piano solo.  2002.
Marcus Goldhaber sings in a fine mood.  2008.
Todd Gordon also sings so well.  2007. 
Cory Jamison cooks Carmichael's very lovely.  1999. 
Frankie Laine does it very relaxing.  1958.

Joyce Carr sings so nicely.  
Barbara Lea sings Hoagy with Bob Dorough.  1994.
Herbie Mann cooks it by flute with strings.  1967.
Brad Mehldau plays the piano by solo?  2007. 
Mark Murphy sings here, "Midnight Mood"  1967. 
Oscar Peterson does it live in London.  1978. 
Ed Reed, singer aged 78, released his debut CD.  2008. 

Mel Torme sings at his younger days. 

Paulien Van Schaik cooks and sings with an interesting arrangement.  2007. 
Melissa Walker does it so fine with nice cats in her back.  2001. 
Maxine Sullivan sings very intimately on here; the CD contains full of Hoagy's songs.  1969. 
Donald Byrd blows the horn with strings: It's a fine album!  1956-7.
Deborah Latz cooks it very nice with backing by a nice pianist: "Life Line"  2008. 

Nancy Harrow sings with Roland Hanna on piano. Great!  
Meredith d'Ambrosio makes it very sweet.  1978. 
The Four Freshman harmonize like they should with "Five Saxes"  195

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