Released in May 1988, “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” is a heartfelt power ballad by Chicago, showcasing the band’s smooth evolution into adult contemporary pop during the late 1980s. Featured on their album Chicago 19, the song is a lush, emotional expression of romantic desperation—complete with soaring vocals, shimmering production, and a chorus built for the radio.
By the late ’80s, Chicago had fully embraced the soft rock and power ballad style that began defining their post-‘70s output, particularly after the departure of lead singer Peter Cetera in 1985. This track features lead vocals by Bill Champlin, whose rich, soulful delivery brings urgency and sincerity to the lyrics.
Written by hitmakers Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, the song centers on a narrator pleading for a love not to be lost. The title says it all: “I don’t wanna live without your love.” The verses detail the emptiness and longing that follow a breakup, while the chorus bursts with emotional intensity and melodic sweep. It’s classic Diane Warren—big, bold, and unashamedly sentimental.
Musically, the track blends keyboard-driven arrangements, gentle guitar lines, and mid-tempo percussion, creating a polished, radio-friendly sound that was a staple of late-’80s pop-rock. The production is sleek, with swelling backing vocals and instrumental flourishes that enhance the drama of the song’s message.
“I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” performed well commercially, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and No. 4 on the Canada Top Singles chart. It helped solidify Chicago’s continued relevance in the pop landscape after two decades of stylistic shifts—from jazz-rock beginnings to arena ballads. For many fans, it’s one of the standout love songs from the band’s later period.