"Without Her" (Harry Nilsson)

Before we start: there's "Without You," Harry Nilsson's cover of Badfinger's syrupy ballad from Nilsson Schmilsson, and then there's "Without Her," which is a track from Nilsson's second album, Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967).  The latter is one of my favorite songs of all time; the former is overblown, overplayed, and kind of grating, even though Nilsson's voice truly is something to behold as he belts out those high notes.

"Without Her" is a Baroque-pop ballad about the fallout after a breakup.  The protagonist is despondent, lonely, and introspective about the nature of love and relationships after realizing that his mate isn't coming back.  (Compared to "Without You's" faux-operatic melodrama, "Without Her" is just a poor schmuck, quietly sipping a cup of lukewarm coffee while sitting around in his bathrobe at 3 in the afternoon.) 

The thrifty arrangement, which utilizes only electric bass, cello, flute, and strummed acoustic guitar, provides a perfect backdrop for Nilsson's voice.  It also brilliantly emphasizes the feeling of solitude conveyed in his lyrics.

Who knew feeling so bad could sound so gorgeous?