Love Me or Leave Me

Ruth Etting

About Love Me or Leave Me

"Love Me or Leave Me" is a popular song written in 1928 by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was introduced in the Broadway play Whoopee!, which opened in December 1928. 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.


Year:
1981
3:22
63 
#3

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Love me or leave me and let me be lonely
You won't believe me that I love you only
I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else

You might find the night time the right time for kissing
But night time is my time for just reminiscing
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
There'll be no else unless that someone is you, you, you

I intend to be independently blue
I want your love but I don't want to borrow
I have it today and give back tomorrow
For my love is your love but there's no love for nobody else

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Ruth Etting

Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over 60 hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. She is known as "America's sweetheart of song". Her signature tunes were "Shine On, Harvest Moon", "Ten Cents a Dance" and "Love Me or Leave Me". Her other popular recordings included "Button Up Your Overcoat", "Mean to Me", "Exactly Like You" and "Shaking the Blues Away". more »

0 fans

Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Genre
"Love Me Or Leave Me" is deemed one of the classics of American pop and jazz.
Famous Artist
Ruth Etting, who sang the song "Love Me or Leave Me," was a noted American singer and actress of the 1920s and 1930s.
Release Date
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" was initially recorded and released by Ruth Etting in 1928.
Songwriters
The song was written by famous duo Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn.
Notable Usage
"Love Me or Leave Me" was prominently used in the 1955 biographical film about Ruth Etting's life, also named "Love Me or Leave Me."
Cover Versions
Several famous artists over the years have covered the song, including Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.
Movie Success
The 1955 film, where the song was featured, starred Doris Day and James Cagney and was a box office hit.
Song Theme
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" communicates the emotive and heartfelt plea of a woman stuck in a one-sided love affair, which resonated with many listeners.
Chart Performance
Even though the song was released in the era before the Pop charts, it was highly popular and played frequently on radio.
Signature Song
"Love Me or Leave Me" is often recognized as one of Ruth Etting's most significant recordings from her successful singing career.
Musical Style
The song is a perfect blend of jazz and pop with a strong emphasis on the vocal performance, which showcases Ruth Etting's powerful and emotional delivery.
Cultural Impact
The disturbing yet intriguing storyline of the song made it a cultural icon in its era, being one of the first songs that openly criticized unhealthy romantic relationships.
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1998, a famous version of this song sung by Nina Simone was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its lasting qualitative or historical significance.
Rooted in Reality
Ruth Etting’s performance of the song, particularly its melancholy and defiance, is often interpreted as a reflection of her real-life relationship with her abusive husband and manager, Moe Snyder.

Discuss the Love Me or Leave Me Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Love Me or Leave Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2762101/Ruth+Etting/Love+Me+or+Leave+Me>.

    Missing lyrics by Ruth Etting?

    Know any other songs by Ruth Etting? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Love Me or Leave Me

    301.5K
    1,948     37

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who wrote a majority of Rush's songs?
    A Geddy Lee
    B Alex Lifeson
    C Neil Peart
    D Everyone wrote the same amount of songs.

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Ruth Etting tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Love Me or Leave Me

    »