Without You

A heartfelt remake of Harry Nilsson's classic that topped charts across Europe and defined Carey's vocal power in 1994.

"Without You" is a definitive cover recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, originally based on the Badfinger song via Harry Nilsson's version. Released as the third single from her third studio album, Music Box (1993), it hit the US market on January 21, 1994, just six days after Nilsson died of a heart attack. Although Carey heard Nilsson's recording as a very young girl, she decided to remake the track after hearing it in a restaurant during the album sessions, convinced it would become a massive international hit. Promoted in the US as a double A-side with "Never Forget You," the song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her eleventh top-ten single there.

Quick Facts

Artist: Mariah Carey
Album: Music Box
A-side: "Never Forget You" (double A-side)
Released: 21 January 1994
Studio: Right Track Recording (New York City); Record Plant (Sausalito, California)
Genre: Pop; R&B
Length: 3:36
Label: Columbia

Lore & Background

Carey's decision to cover "Without You" stemmed from a chance hearing in a restaurant while recording Music Box. She recalled, "I heard that song in a restaurant and just knew it would be a huge international hit." While she had known the track since childhood, this specific moment sparked the remake. The song became a phenomenon in Europe, reaching number one in approximately eight countries, including the United Kingdom, where it debuted at the top spot and stayed for four weeks. This success marked Carey's first UK number-one solo single, a feat not repeated until "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 2020 (excluding her 2000 collaboration with Westlife)—a gap of 26 years. The track also achieved a rare "Chart Double" in the UK, holding the top position alongside her album Music Box. Over time, due to its enduring overseas popularity, it was included on non-US pressings of compilations like #1's and Greatest Hits.

Reader's Guide

Commercially, "Without You" spent six weeks at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remained in the top 40 for 21 weeks. It sold 600,000 copies domestically, earning platinum certification from the RIAA, and ranked 16th on the 1994 year-end charts. In Europe, it topped the European Hot 100 Singles chart for two weeks. Specific run times included ten weeks at number one in Switzerland, eight weeks in Austria and Sweden, and seven weeks in Belgium. It reached number two in France and Denmark, and number three in Norway. The song also found success in Latin America, peaking at number two in Panama and number seven in Chile. In the UK, it became the seventh best-selling single of 1994 with combined sales and streams of 600,000 units (platinum). Australia saw a peak of number three with double platinum certification, while New Zealand awarded it gold after a one-week run at number one.