A Song for You

"A Song for You" is a song written and originally recorded by rock singer and pianist Leon Russell for his first solo album Leon Russell, which was released in 1970 on Shelter Records. A slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover, the tune is one of Russell's best-known compositions. It has been performed and recorded by an array of artists, spanning many musical genres. Elton John has called the song an American classic.^[1]

One of the first versions of the song that brought it broader attention was by Andy Williams, whose single peaked at #29 on the adult contemporary chart and #82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.^[2] Ray Charles recorded a version that earned him the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
US Smooth Jazz	19

Chart (2008)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs^[3]	61

Notable cover versions

Donny Hathaway covered the song on his 1971 album Donny Hathaway (album)
Jaye P. Morgan: the 1950s chanteuse had her final Billboard chart song in 1971 with this tune ("Bubbling Under #105).
Carpenters: not released as a single, it served as the title song for the duo's 1972 album A Song for You
Willie Nelson: on his 1973 album Shotgun Willie. He also performed it in the 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose, and it appears on the movie's soundtrack.
Temptations: also not released as a single, it served as the title song for the group's 1974 album A Song for You
Donna Summer: often sang this as the encore during tours from 1977 to 1979, and again in 1983. Several clips are on YouTube.
Ray Charles: He recorded a poignant version of the song on his 1993 album My World. Released as a single, it reached #4 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, and won him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Charles also performed the song at New York's Beacon Theatre on April 9, 2003, as part of Willie Nelson's 70th birthday tribute (released on DVD as Willie Nelson and Friends: Live & Kickin'). Leon Russell sang the first verse, Willie Nelson sang the second verse, and Charles sang the remainder of the song in this unforgettable performance. Nelson, who stood nearby during Charles' performance, was moved to tears.
Herbie Hancock: released in 2005 with vocals by Christina Aguilera; it received airplay on U.S. smooth jazz radio and was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2006 Grammy Awards. The duo performed a live rendition at the ceremony that year.
Simply Red: on the 2005 album Simplified and released as part of a double A-side single in January 2006.
Zakk Wylde: Performed a rendition at the November 19, 2009, Gibson / Les Paul Tribute concert held at The Ryman auditorium in Nashville.
Elliott Yamin: performed the song in both his audition for American Idol and in one of his final performances. It was also named number three in Entertainment Weekly's 10 all-time best American Idol performances. The song is also on Yamin's debut album.
Elkie Brooks on her 2012 album Powerless.
Amy Winehouse

Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera version

"A Song for You"
Song by Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera from the album Possibilities
Released	August 2005
Genre	Jazz
Length	7:05
Label	Vector
Writer(s)	Leon Russell
Producer(s)	Herbie Hancock Jessica Hancock John Alagía Bob Brockman Yaron Fuchs Bryce Goggin Steven "Steven J." Jordan Rob Lucas Alan Mintz Greg Phillinganes Paul Simon

This version performed by Herbie Hancock features singer Christina Aguilera. Released in August 2005, from Hancock's 45th studio album Possibilities, the song was considered a classic cover. Aguilera and Hancock were nominated for the 48th Grammy Awards in category "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".

Bizzy Bone featuring DMX and Chris Notez

"A Song for You"

Single by Bizzy Bone featuring DMX and Chris Notez

from the album A Song for You

Released

March 18, 2008 (U.S.)

Format

Recorded

2007

Genre

Hip hop

Length

3:58

Label

Virgin
After Platinum

Writer(s)

L. Russell
B. McCane
E. Simmons

Bizzy Bone featuring DMX and Chris Notez singles chronology

"Thugz Cry"
(1998)

"A Song for You"
(2008)

"Money"
(2008)

"A Song for You", which features DMX and Chris Notez, is the first official single from rapper, Bizzy Bone's album of the same name. It is sampled from Donny Hathaway's 1971 rendition.

Music video

The music video for "A Song for You" included Bizzy Bone, DMX and Chris Notez; the music video includes Chris Notez playing a grand piano in front of a big manor singing his lyrics in the chorus, Bizzy Bone, DMX and sometimes Chris Notez singing in a dimly lit big room with Bizzy Bone wearing a bright red jacket and DMX wearing a copper brown jacket. Lastly Bizzy Bone is often seen in a suit singing the song in front of a tombstone, which appears to be the gravesite of rapper Eazy-E.

References

↑ The Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2012: "In 1970 Russell released his self-titled debut solo album, including such enduring songs as 'Delta Lady' and 'A Song for You,' both written for versatile vocalist Rita Coolidge. He followed with Leon Russell and the Shelter People (1971) and ..."
↑ "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
↑ "Billboard Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.

External links

Ray Charles

Studio albums

Atlantic	Ray Charles (Hallelujah, I Love Her So) The Great Ray Charles Yes Indeed! Soul Brothers What'd I Say The Genius of Ray Charles The Genius Sings the Blues Soul Meeting The Genius After Hours

ABC	The Genius Hits the Road Dedicated to You Ray Charles and Betty Carter Ray Charles Greatest Hits Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 2 Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul Sweet & Sour Tears Have a Smile with Me Together Again / Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues Crying Time Ray's Moods Ray Charles Invites You to Listen A Portrait of Ray I'm All Yours Baby! Doing His Thing My Kind of Jazz Love Country Style Volcanic Action of My Soul Jazz Number II

Other labels	Genius+Soul = Jazz True to Life Friendship Just Between Us Genius Loves Company

Posthumous
studio creations

Live albums

Notable
compilations

Billboard Hot 100
Top 10 Singles

Other Billboard Charts
#1 singles

Grammy Awarded Works
(not included above)

See also

Book
Category
Commons
Wikiquote

Andy Williams

Studio albums	Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein Two Time Winners To You Sweetheart, Aloha Lonely Street The Village of St. Bernadette Under Paris Skies Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes Warm and Willing Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests The Andy Williams Christmas Album The Wonderful World of Andy Williams The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies The Great Songs from "My Fair Lady" and Other Broadway Hits Andy Williams' Dear Heart Merry Christmas The Shadow of Your Smile In the Arms of Love Born Free Love, Andy Honey Happy Heart Get Together with Andy Williams Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head The Andy Williams Show Love Story You've Got a Friend Love Theme from "The Godfather" Alone Again (Naturally) Solitaire The Way We Were Christmas Present You Lay So Easy on My Mind The Other Side of Me Andy Let's Love While We Can Greatest Love Classics Close Enough for Love I Still Believe in Santa Claus Nashville We Need a Little Christmas I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up

Greatest hits albums	Andy Williams Andy Williams' Best Million Seller Songs Canadian Sunset Andy Williams' Newest Hits May Each Day The Andy Williams Sound of Music Andy Williams' Greatest Hits The Impossible Dream Love Story Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (CBS) Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Reflections B Sides and Rarities Moon River: The Very Best of Andy Williams The Very Best of Andy Williams

Live albums	Greatest Hits The New Andy Williams Christmas Album

Singles	"Jubilee Time" "Louisiana Purchase" "Why Should I Cry Over You" "Now I Know" "The Wind, the Sand and the Star" "Walk Hand in Hand" "Canadian Sunset" "Baby Doll" "Butterfly" "I Like Your Kind of Love" "Lips of Wine" "Are You Sincere?" "Promise Me, Love" "The Hawaiian Wedding Song" "Lonely Street" "The Village of St. Bernadette" "Wake Me When It's Over" "Do You Mind?" "You Don't Want My Love" "The Bilbao Song" "Danny Boy" "Fly by Night" "The Wonderful World of the Young" "Stranger on the Shore" "Don't You Believe It" "Twilight Time" "Can't Get Used to Losing You" "Days of Wine and Roses" "Hopeless" "The Peking Theme (So Little Time)" "A Fool Never Learns" "Charade" "Wrong for Each Other" "Under Paris Skies" "On the Street Where You Live" "Almost There" "Dear Heart" "...and Roses and Roses" "Ain't It True" "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)" "May Each Day" "You're Gonna Hear from Me" "Bye Bye Blues" "How Can I Tell Her It's Over" "In the Arms of Love" "Music to Watch Girls By" "Holly" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" "Sweet Memories" "Battle Hymn of the Republic" "Happy Heart" "Live and Learn" "A Woman's Way" "Can't Help Falling in Love" "One Day of Your Life" "It's So Easy" "Home Lovin' Man" "(Where Do I Begin?) Love Story" "A Song for You" "Love is All" "You've Got a Friend" "Music from Across the Way" "Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)" "MacArthur Park" "Last Tango in Paris" "Solitaire" "Getting Over You" "Remember" "Love's Theme" "Another Lonely Song" "You Lay So Easy on My Mind" "Love Said Goodbye" "Cry Softly" "Sad Eyes" "The Other Side of Me" "Tell It Like It Is" "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

B-Sides	"Not Anymore" "High Upon A Mountain" "Since I've Found My Baby" "It Doesn't Take Very Long" "Stop Teasin' Me" "Straight From My Heart" "Be Mine Tonight" "Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love" "The House of Bamboo" "Summer Love" "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" "We Have A Date (Andy's Theme)" "Dreamsville" "Don't Go to Strangers" (A-side) "How Wonderful to Know" "Help Me" (A-side) "I Want to Be Wanted" "Summertime" "So Rare" "Madrigal" "Emily" "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" "Loved One" "I'll Remember You" "The Summer of Our Love" "The Many Faces of Love" "The Face I Love" "I Want to Be Free" "When I Look in Your Eyes" "You Are Where Everything Is" "Ave Maria" "Our Last Goodbye" "You Are" "What Am I Living For" (A-side) "Long Time Blues" "Whistling Away the Dark" "Something" "What's The Matter Girl" (A-side) "Home For Thee" "I'll Never Be The Same" "My Love" "They Long to Be Close to You " "A Mi Esposa Con Amor" "I Love My Friend" "One More Time" "Quits" "Goin' Through The Motions"

Related articles	Discography Columbia Records The Williams Brothers

Ronnie Dyson

Studio albums	One Man Band The More You Do It

Singles	"(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?" "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" "All Over Your Face"

Cover Songs	"A Song for You" "Girl Don't Come" "Jive Talkin'" "Love Won't Let Me Wait" "Something"

City High

Ryan Toby Robbie Pardlo Claudette Ortiz

Studio albums	City High

Singles	"What Would You Do?" "Caramel" "A Song for You"

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