Love Me or Leave Me (song)

Infobox Standard
title = Love Me or Leave Me
english_title =
comment = Introduced in the Broadway play, "Whoopee!"


image_size =
caption =
writer =
composer = Walter Donaldson
lyricist = Gus Kahn
published = 1928
written =
language =
form =
original_artist = Ruth Etting
recorded_by = Doris Day,
Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Lena Horne,
many other artists (see #Recorded versions)
performed_by = "Love Me or Leave Me" is a U.S. popular song from the 1920s.

The music was written by Walter Donaldson and the lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was introduced in the Broadway play, "Whoopee!," which opened in December 1928cite book
title= Popular Songs of the 20th Century: Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900-1949
last = Gardner| first = Edward Foote| publisher= Paragon House
location= St. Paul, Minnesota
date= 2000| isbn= 1-55778-789-1 ] . Ruth Etting's performance of the song was so popular that she was also given the song to sing in the play "Simple Simon," which opened in February 1930.

Recorded versions

Major recorded versions

The original version of the song, the biggest-selling at the time, was recorded by Ruth Etting on December 17, 1928. It was issued by Columbia Records as catalog number 1680-D, with the flip side "I'm Bringing a Red, Red Rose," another Donaldson/Kahn composition [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL1500D.htm Columbia Records in the 1500D to 1999D series] ] . The song reached #2 on the charts in 1929.

Other versions which also enjoyed popularity at this time were by Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians, with a vocal by Carmen Lombardo (recorded March 20, 1929, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 1782D, with the flip side "I'm Still Caring") and by Leo Reisman and his orchestra (recorded April 22, 1929, released by Victor Records as catalog number 21966A, with the flip side "Sweet Chewaulka, Land of Sleepy Water" [http://settlet.fateback.com/vic21500.html Victor Records in the 21500 to 21999 series] ] ).

A recording made December 12, 1947 by Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter's orchestra was released in 1951 by Decca Records as catalog number 27667 [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec27500.htm Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series] ] .

As the song was considered to be one of Etting's biggest hits, its title was chosen for the 1955 biographical movie about her life, in which Doris Day played Etting. Day's recording of the song, from the soundtrack, became a major hit for her. The same year, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lena Horne also experienced success with their versions of the song.

Davis' version was released by Decca Records as catalog number 29484, with the flip side "Something's Gotta Give" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec29000.htm Decca Records in the 29000 to 29499 series] ] . It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on May 28, 1955 and lasted 12 weeks on the chart. On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #20; on the Best Seller chart, at #12cite book
title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits
last= Whitburn
first= Joel
authorlink= Joel Whitburn
publisher= Watson-Guptill Publications
location=New York
edition= 7th Rev. edition
date=2000-11-01| isbn= 978-0823076901 ] . (However, another sourcecite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
authorlink = Joel Whitburn
title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
publisher = Record Research
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
year = 1973 ] gives the highest position as #9, but lists this as a position for the combined two sides of the record, "Love Me or Leave Me" and "Something's Gotta Give.")

Horne's was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-6073 [http://settlet.fateback.com/RCA206000.htm RCA Victor Records in the 20-6000 to 20-6499 series] ] . It reached the Billboard magazine Disk Jockey chart on July 9, 1955, its only week on the chart, at #19.In the United Kingdom, it was released 1955 by HMV Records as catalog number B-309 (78rpm) and 7M-309 (45rpm), [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/h/hmv-7m.html HMV Records in the 7M series] ] . Both releases were with the flip side "I Love To Love".

Singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone also recorded the song on her debut album "Little Girl Blue" (1958) and "Let It All Out" (1966). Simone's version was included on the soundtrack of the film "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss". It has also been covered by Olivia Newton John. The version was released as a single in 1959 by Bethlehem Records as catalog number 11021 and by Australian Parlophone Records as catalog number A-8008, with the flip side "I Loves You Porgy" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/p/parlophone-8-oz.html Australian Parlophone Records in the 8000 to 8293 series] ] .

Other recorded versions

*The Badgers (released by Broadway Records as catalog number 1285, with the flip side "Rainbow Man" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Broadway1000.htm Broadway Records in the 1000 to 1530 series] ] )
*Earl Burtnett's Biltmore Trio (recorded April 1, 1929, released by Brunswick Records as catalog number 4336, with the flip side "A Garden in the Rain" [http://settlet.fateback.com/BRN4000.htm Brunswick Records in the 4000 to 4499 series] ] )
*Perry Como (released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2662, with the flip side "What'll I Do?" [http://settlet.fateback.com/RCA202500.htm RCA Victor Records in the 20-2500 to 20-2999 series] ] )
*Dixieland Swingsters (recorded August 2, 1937, released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 7160, with the flip side "Fiddleobia" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/BB7000.htm Bluebird Records in the 7000 to 7499 series] ] )
*Billy Eckstine (released by MGM Records as catalog number 11984, with the flip side "Only You" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/MGM11500.htm MGM Records in the 11000 to 11999 series] ] )
*Les Elgart and his orchestra (released by Columbia Records as catalog number 40525, with the flip side "When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL40500.htm Columbia Records in the series] ] )
*Chick Endor with Leonard Joy (recorded March 20, 1929, released by Victor Records as catalog number 21922, with the flip side "Good Little, Bad Little You")
*Sammy Fain (recorded February 6, 1929, released by Harmony Records as catalog number 843-H, with the flip side "Wedding Bells" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Har500.htm Harmony Records in the 500-H to 999-H series] ] )
*Pat Flowers (released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2930, with the flip side "Shoe Shine Shuffle")
*Erroll Garner (piano solo; recorded February 29, 1952, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39749, with the flip side "With Every Breath I Take" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL39500.htm Columbia Records in the 39500 to 39999 series] ] )
*Benny Goodman and his orchestra (recorded December 18, 1933, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 2871-D, with the flip side "Why Couldn't It Be Poor Little Me?" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL2500D.htm Columbia Records in the 2500-D to 2999-D series] ] ; re-recorded August 21, 1936, released by Victor Records as catalog number 25406, with the flip side "Exactly Like You" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/vic25000.html Victor Records in the 25000 to 25499 series] ] )
*Teddy Grace (recorded September 1, 1938, released by Decca Records as catalog number 2050B, with the flip side "Crazy Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec2000.htm Decca Records in the 2000 to 2499 series] ] )
*Bob Haring and his orchestra (recorded April 15, 1929, released by Brunswick Records as catalog number 4342, with the flip side "My Sin")
*Edgar Hayes Quintet (recorded September 7, 1937, released by Decca Records as catalog number 1444, with the flip side "So Rare" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec1000.htm Decca Records in the 1000 to 1499 series] ] )
*Eddie Heywood and his orchestra (recorded February 26, 1944, released by Commodore Records as catalog numbers 577A and 7524, both with the flip side "I Can't Believe that You're in Love with Me" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Commodore.htm Commodore Records listing] ] )
*Billie Holiday (recorded August 7, 1941, released by OKeh Records as catalog number 6369, with the flip side "Jim" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/OK6000.htm OKeh Records in the 6000 to 6499 series] ] )
*Frances Langford with Earle Hogen (recorded June 1946, released by Mercury Records as catalog number 3029B, with the flip side "That Wonderful Worrisome Feeling" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Merc030.htm Mercury Records in the 3000 to 3072 series] ] )
*Sam Lanin's Dance Orchestra (recorded June 3, 1929, released by Banner Records as catalog number 6410, with the flip side "Sure Enough Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Ban6000.htm Banner Records in the 6001 to 6567 series] ] , and by Domino Records as catalog number 4350 [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dom4000.htm Domino Records in the 4000 to 4499 series] ] and Regal Records as catalog number 8805 [http://settlet.fateback.com/Reg8500.htm Regal Records in the 8500 to 8999 series] ] , both with the flip side "Ol' Man River"; also released under the name of Miami Society Orchestra by Oriole Records as catalog number 1604, with the flip side "Not for a Day but Forever" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/OR1500.htm Oriole Records in the 1500 to 1999 series] ] and by Jewel Records as catalog number 5628, with the flip side "Sure Enough Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Jewel5500.htm Jewel Records in the 5500 to 5999 series] ] ; also released under the name of the Mills Merry Makers by Lincoln Records as catalog number 3168 [http://settlet.fateback.com/Linc3000.htm Lincoln Records in the 3000 to 3395 series] ] and by Romeo Records as catalog number 943 [http://settlet.fateback.com/ROM500.htm Romeo Records in the 500 to 999 series] ] , both with the flip side "I'm Lonely Since You Went Away")
*Virginia Lee (recorded February 16, 1929, released by Gennett Records as catalog number 6773, with the flip side "That's the Good Old Sunny South" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/.htm Gennett Records in the 6500 to 6999 series] ] )
*Henry Levin's Dixieland Octet (recorded August 11, 1941, released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 11278, with the flip side "All Alone" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/BB11000.htm Bluebird Records in the 11000 to 11499 series] ] )
*Majestic Dance Orchestra (H. Salter, leader) (vocal: A. Lawrence; recorded April 1929, released by Pathé Records as catalog number 36978 [http://settlet.fateback.com/Pathe36500.htm Pathé Records in the 36500 to 37089 series] ] and by Perfect Records as catalog number 15159 [http://settlet.fateback.com/PE15000.htm Perfect Records in the 15000 to 15499 series] ] , both with the flip side "I'm Just a Vagabond Lover")
*Mel and Stan (recorded September 1947, released by Majestic Records as catalog number 11030, with the flip side "Mother's Only Sleeping" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Majestic.htm Majestic Records listing] ] )
*Ella Mae Morse (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/.htm Capitol Records in the 1500 to 1999 series] ] )
*Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra (recorded April 27, 1929, released by Supertone Records as catalog number 2254 [http://settlet.fateback.com/SPTN2000.htm Supertone Records in the 2000 to 2263 series] ] and by Vocalion Records as catalog number 1272, [http://settlet.fateback.com/VOC1000.htm Vocalion Records in the 1000 to 1499 series] ] , both with the flip side "Wake Up, Chill'un, Wake Up")
*Jimmie Osborne (released by King Records as catalog number 1012, with the flip side "It's Me Who Has To Suffer" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/King1000.htm King Records in the 1000 to 1496 series] ] )
*Chuck Penny (released by Tops in Music Records as catalog number 109, with the flip side "Gimme, Gimme All the Time" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/t/tim.html.html Tops in Music Records listing] ]
*Hazel Scott (recorded October 1947, released by Columbia Records as catalog number 37996, with the flip side "Soon" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/COL37500.htm Columbia Records in the 37500 to 37999 series] ] )
*Lee Sims (piano solo; recorded June 1929, released by Brunswick Records as catalog number 4422, with the flip side "Lover, Come Back to Me!")
*Bill Staffon and his orchestra (recorded August 1, 1935, released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 6082, with the flip side "White Star of Sigma Nu" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/BB6000.htm Bluebird Records in the 6000 to 6499 series] ] )
*Cal Tjader (recorded October 21, 1953, released by Savoy Records as catalog number 1117, with the flip side "Tangerine" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Sav1100.htm Savoy Records in the 1100 to 1199 series] ] )
*Sarah Vaughn with Ted Dale Orchestra (released by Musicraft Records as catalog number 539, with the flip side "Gentleman Friend" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Musicraft200.htm Musicraft Records in the 200 to 597 series] ] )
*John Vincent's Californians (recorded June 3, 1929, released by Conqueror Records as catalog number 7369, with the flip side "Ol' Man River" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Conq7000.htm Conqueror Records in the 7000 to 7499 series] ] )
*Thomas "Fats" Waller (piano solo; recorded August 2, 1929, released by Bluebird Records as catalog number 10263, with the flip side "Valentine Stomp" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/BB10000.htm Bluebird Records in the 10000 to 10499 series] ] and by Victor Records as catalog number 22092, with the flip side "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/vic22000.html Victor Records in the 22000 to 22499 series] ] )
*Ted Weems and his orchestra (vocal: Snooky Lanson; recorded March 1949, released by Mercury Records as catalog number 5305, with the flip side "Sleepy Hollow" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Merc050.htm Mercury Records in the 5000 to 5497 series] ] )
*The Youth (released 1969 by Deram Records (United Kingdom) as catalog number 226, with the flip side "Meadow of My Love " [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/d/deram-uk.html Deram Records (UK) listing] ]
*The Top Bananas, contemporary Brighton based stilt swing band [ [http://www.thetopbananas.net http://www.thetopbananas.net ] ]

References