Empty Arms

Ivory Joe Hunter

About Empty Arms

"Empty Arms" is a song composed and first recorded by Ivory Joe Hunter which became an R&B hit in 1957. A cover version by Teresa Brewer became a hit for her that same year. The song was successfully revived with a 1971 single by Sonny James. "Empty Arms" was Sonny James' eighteenth number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for four weeks and spent a total of fifteen weeks on the chart.


Year:
1994
63 
#1

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Mm-mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm
Empty arms that long for you
And they wait, they wait just for you
And these arms will stay this way
Till you return to them some day

Each lonely night I'll go to bed
Mm-My heart the pillow where you used to lay your head

Empty arms, but not for long
'Cause my man, he is comin' home
And when he, when he walks through that door
These empty arms I'll have no more

Yeah, these empty arms I'll have no more

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Ivory Joe Hunter

Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid 1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recording, "Since I Met You Baby" (1956). He was billed as The Baron of the Boogie, and also known as The Happiest Man Alive. His musical output transgressed from R&B to blues, boogie-woogie, and country, and Hunter made a name in all of those genres. Uniquely, he was honored at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Grand Ole Opry. more »

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Written by: IVORY JOE HUNTER

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


4 facts about this song

Ivory Joe Hunter Version
1. Ivory Joe Hunter wrote and originally recorded the song "Empty Arms" in 1957. 2. The song was released under the R&B label Atlantic Records. 3. The Ivory Joe Hunter version of "Empty Arms" peaked at number two on the R&B chart and crossed over to number twenty on Billboard's pop chart. 4. Despite being written and first performed by Hunter, "Empty Arms" is not as widely known in his version as it is with some covers.
Sonny James Version
1. Country singer Sonny James covered "Empty Arms" in 1971. 2. Sonny James’ version of the song was released under the country music label, Capitol Records. 3. Sonny's version of the song topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the United States. 4. It was featured on the album of the same name, "Empty Arms", released the same year.
Teresa Brewer Version
1. Teresa Brewer was another artist who did a cover of "Empty Arms". Her version was released relatively close to the time of Hunter's original, in 1957. 2. Brewer's version was released under Coral Records, a subsidiary of Decca Records that focused on pop and country music. 3. This version did not meet the same success as Hunter's or James', but it did help Brewer maintain her pop presence in the late '50s. 4. Brewer's pop-oriented style gave a different flavor to "Empty Arms", offering a more upbeat and light-hearted approach compared to the bluesy tone of Hunter's original version.
Overall Facts
1. Each version of "Empty Arms" shows a distinct element of the genre it was performed in - R&B for Hunter, country for James, and pop for Brewer. 2. The song's enduring popularity across the decades and across genres demonstrates its timeless appeal. 3. All three artists – Ivory Joe Hunter, Sonny James, and Teresa Brewer – had notable careers in the music industry, each having multiple chart-topping hits, and "Empty Arms" is among the memorable songs of their respective discographies. 4. Despite the success of Sonny James' version on the country charts, Ivory Joe Hunter’s version is still the most successful one on the pop charts, showing that the song's initial crossover appeal remained unmatched. 5. "Empty Arms" continues to be a popular song for covers, showing the enduring appeal of its melancholic yet relatable lyrics. 6. The three versions of "Empty Arms" demonstrate how a song can be interpreted in different ways by different artists, each bringing their unique style to the composition.

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    Empty Arms

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