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. Russell not only sings and plays piano on the recording, but also plays the tenor horn that is accompanying.[1] It has been performed and recorded by over 200 artists, spanning many musical genres. Elton John has called the song an American classic.[2][3]

For other uses, see A Song for You (disambiguation).
"A Song for You"
Song by Leon Russell
from the album Leon Russell
ReleasedMay 1970
GenreVocal
Length4:08
LabelShelter Records(US)
A&M Records(UK)
Songwriter(s)Leon Russell
Producer(s)Leon Russell
"A Song for You"
Single by Andy Williams
from the album You've Got a Friend
B-side"You've Got a Friend"
ReleasedAugust 1971
GenreVocal
Length3:12
LabelColumbia 45434
Songwriter(s)Leon Russell
Producer(s)Dick Glasser
Andy Williams singles chronology
"(Where Do I Begin) Love Story"
(1971)		 "A Song for You"
(1971)		 "Love Is All"
(1971)

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.[4] Ray Charles recorded a version that earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

On January 17, 2018, "A Song for You" was added to Grammy Hall of Fame.[5][6]

Charts
Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Smooth Jazz 19
Chart (2008) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[7] 61

Cover versions

A Song for You covered many times from 1970 to 2019. The most notable versions include the following:[8]

Year Artist Album Notes
1970Leon RussellLeon RussellFirst release. Not released as a single
1971Jaye P. MorganNon-album trackCharted at number 105 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.
1971 Donny Hathaway Donny Hathaway Not released as a single.
1972The CarpentersA Song for YouNot released as a single. Performed also on a Bob Hope TV Special that aired on October 5, 1972[9][10]
1972CherFoxy Lady
1973Willie NelsonShotgun WillieHe also performed it in the 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose, and it appears on the movie's soundtrack.
1975MinaLa MinaAdapted to Italian by Gino Paoli and Claudio Daiano and retitled Quasi come musica.
1991Whitney HoustonWelcome Home Heroes with Whitney HoustonPart of the HBO concert special Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston, which was broadcast live from the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia on March 31, 1991. The special was released in VHS and Laserdisc on May 14, 1991, and later on DVD in 2002. In 2008, the DVD was re-released in the United States and worldwide under the title A Song for You: Live. Houston later recorded a studio version for her 2009 album, I Look to You.
1993Ray CharlesMy WorldHe recorded a version of the song on his 1993 album My World. Released as a single, it reached number 104 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.
2005Herbie Hancock feat. Christina AguileraPossibilitiesIt 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.
2005Simply RedSimplifiedReleased as part of a double A-side single in January 2006.
2011 Amy WinehouseLioness: Hidden TreasuresOne of the singles off the album.
2019Kate Ceberano and Paul GrabowskyTrystFirst single off the album.
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References
  1. "Leon Russell - Best Of Leon (Vinyl, LP, Compilation) | Discogs". Discogs. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  2. 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 ..."
  3. discogs.com A Song for You
  4. "Billboard Singles". All Media Guide / Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  5. NewsOK.com Leon Russell's 'A Song For You' added to Grammy Hall Of Fame, by Nathan Poppe, January 17, 2018
  6. Tulsa World News, Leon Russell song selected for Grammy Hall of Fame, By Jimmie Tramel, Jan. 18, 2018
  7. "Billboard Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  8. stargayzing.com, When a “Song” Becomes a “Copyright”: Leon Russell’s A Song For You, June 18, 2013
  9. The Carpenters (3 February 2013). "A Song for You Live". YouTube: Beverwyk.
  10. "Bob Hope TV Special on NBC: 10/05/72". Rewatch Classic TV. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
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