My World Is Empty Without You

"My World Is Empty Without You" is a 1965 song recorded and released as a single by the Supremes for the Motown label.

Overview

Written and produced by Motown's main production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song's fast tempo accompanies a somber lyric which delves into the feelings of depression which can set in after a breakup.

"My World Is Empty Without You" was one of the few songs written by the team for the Supremes to not reach number 1, peaking at number 5 on the US pop chart for two weeks in February 1966 and at number 10 on the R&B chart; the single failed to chart on the UK Singles Chart. The group performed the song on the CBS hit variety program The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday, February 20, 1966.

Billboard described the song as being "right in their pulsating rhythm groove of 'I Hear a Symphony' with even more excitement in the performance". Cash Box described it as a "throbbing, rhythmic soulful tearjerker about a love-sick girl who spends her days carrying the torch for her ex-boyfriend".

In the view of pop historian Andrew Grant Jackson, the Rolling Stones' later song "Paint It Black" bears a strong resemblance to "My World Is Empty Without You".

Personnel

Lead vocals by Diana Ross
Background vocals by Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard
Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra:
- Earl Van Dyke – organ
- James Gittens – piano
- James Jamerson – bass
- Benny Benjamin – drums
- Joe Messina – guitar
- Jack Ashford – vibraphone
- Mike Terry – baritone saxophone
- Paul Riser – string arrangements