“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is a powerful ballad by American singer Michael Bolton, released in October 1989 as the single from his album Soul Provider. The song became one of Bolton’s signature hits and is considered one of the most memorable love ballads of the late 1980s. Written by Michael Bolton and Doug James, it achieved massive commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and winning Bolton a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1990.
The song was originally written by Michael Bolton and Doug James in the early 1980s, and it was first recorded by Laura Branigan for her 1983 album “Branigan 2” – scroll down for video. Branigan’s version became a modest hit, reaching No 12 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, Bolton later decided to record the song himself for his Soul Provider album, where it became a massive success. Bolton, who had originally been more of a rock and blues singer, shifted to a more adult contemporary sound with this song, which helped broaden his appeal to a larger, more mainstream audience.
“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is a classic breakup ballad that deals with themes of heartache, loss, and the emotional devastation of unrequited love. Musically, the song is a classic pop ballad with strong adult contemporary and soft rock influences. It features Bolton’s distinctive, raspy voice delivering an impassioned and soulful performance, which became a hallmark of his style. The arrangement includes a mix of piano, orchestral strings, and subtle guitar accompaniment, building to an emotionally charged chorus.
“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was a major commercial success for Michael Bolton. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in early 1990, where it stayed for three weeks. It also topped the Adult Contemporary chart, further solidifying Bolton’s status as a leading balladeer of the time. Internationally, the song also performed well, reaching the top 10 in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. Its success helped Bolton’s Soul Provider album become a major hit, eventually selling over 12 million copies worldwide.
Michael Bolton won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1990 for his performance of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” The song also earned him critical praise for his ability to deliver emotional and powerful ballads, a style that would come to define much of his career.