When Your Lover Has Gone

By Einar Aaron Swan
1931

Obscure Scandinavian-American composer Swan solidified his place in pop immortality with this heartbreaker, which debuted in the James Cagney/Joan Blondell comedy Blonde Crazy. Gene Austin had a major hit with it soon after. It's lyrics perfectly capture the emotions of loss and desperation associated with losing the one you love.

Lyrics:

What good is the scheming, the planning and dreaming
That comes with each new love affair?
The dreams that we cherish, so often might perish,
And leaves you with castles in air.

When you're alone, who cares for starlit skies?
When you're alone, the magic moonlight dies.
At break of dawn, there is no sunrise,
When your lover has gone.

What lonely hours, the evening shadows bring.
What lonely hours, with memories lingering.
Like faded flowers, life can't mean anything,
When your lover has gone.

Recorded By:

Ethel Waters
Benny Goodman
Billie Holiday
Frank Sinatra
Louis Armstrong