from MY CHERIE
Written by Diane Warren
In the eighties, Sheena Easton’s gorgeous voice graced the international music charts with hits including “Morning Train,” “The Lover In Me,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair),” “Strut” and “We’ve Got Tonight,” her classic duet with Kenny Rogers that David Foster produced in 1981.
Listen to these classics and appreciate the Scottish songbird’s ability to handle different music styles with impressive versatility. Ms. Easton was characteristically at home singing big ballads like “Almost Over You,” produced in 1983 by Jay Graydon, or the aforementioned “We’ve Got Tonight,” but she was also great on dance numbers tailor-made for her by uber-producers like the late Prince’s (June 7, 1958 to April 21, 2016) “Strut” and “Sugar Walls” or Nile Rodgers’ “Do It For Love.”
The singer’s momentum didn’t slow down in the nineties. Ms. Easton had more recordings, but no significant chart action. She still managed to work in 1992 with Foster on the soundtrack of the animated movie Ferngully: The Last Rainforest. They crafted a beautiful ballad entitled “A Dream Worth Keeping” that was co-written by the great Jimmy Webb. In 1995, Ms. Easton released a cd titled My Cherie that didn’t give her a hoped-for comeback, but did prove, once again, that her astonishing talent was second-to-none in the pop arena. Foster was called together with a who’s who of top producers including Glen Ballard, Christopher Neil, Narada Michael Walden and Denny Diante. Stylistically, My Cherie was another good collection that offered both power ballads and catchy dance numbers. Foster produced two tracks; the tender, lush, “Crazy Love” that can already be found in the archives. This week, the spotlight is on his second contribution, the dramatic ballad “You’ve Learned To Live Without Me.”
Written by legendary tunesmith Diane Warren, “You’ve Learned To Live Without Me” definitely belongs on the A-list of power ballads thanks to the effective instrumental scenario painted by Foster with the amazing Jeremy Lubbock. Ms. Easton’s performance is flawless, absolutely on target for this kind of teary composition with very emotional lyrics. Her vocals ooze intensity delivered with utter professionalism. The instrumental track was played by Foster on piano with top session cats including Michael Thompson on guitar, Neil Stubenhaus on bass and Mike Baird on drums. Foster’s production with the sonic assistance of his partner Humberto Gatica is the usual top-notch affair that’s absolutely worth a listen today.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sheena-Easton-Youve-Learned-to-Live-Without-Me.mp3|titles=You’Ve Learned To Live Without Me|artists=Sheena Easton]
Lead & Background Vocals: Sheena Easton
Acoustic Piano: David Foster
Synthesizers: Claude Gaudette
Drums: Mike Baird
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock & David Foster
String Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock
Produced by David Foster
Additional Production by Humberto Gatica
Lyrics
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
I’M JUST A MEMORY
A TORN PAGE IN YOUR HISTORY
A SHADOW IN THE NIGHT
WHEN YOU TURN OUT THE LIGHT
YOU’VE LEARNED NOT TO DREAM ABOUT ME
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
I’M JUST ANOTHER TIME
YESTERDAY THAT YOU LEFT BEHIND
A CANDLE IN THE RAIN
YESTERDAY FORGOTTEN FLAME
THAT RAINY DAY HAS FINALLY FOUND ME
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
I HEAR YOU’RE DOING FINE
FOUND OTHER THINGS TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME
YOU PROBABLY DON’T REMEMBER
EVER LOVING ME
WE DANCED THROUGH ALL THOSE DAYS TOGETHER
I THOUGHT THAT DANCE WOULD LAST FOREVER
FUNNY HOW FOREVER FADES AWAY
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT
I HEAR YOU’RE DOING FINE
FOUND OTHER THINGS TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME
YOU PROBABLY DON’T REMEMBER
EVER LOVING ME
WE DANCED THROUGH ALL THOSE DAYS TOGETHER
I THOUGHT THAT DANCE WOULD LAST FOREVER
FUNNY HOW FOREVER FADES AWAY
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
I’M JUST A MEMORY
A TORN PAGE IN YOUR HISTORY
A SHADOW IN THE NIGHT
WHEN YOU TURN OUT THE LIGHT
YOU’VE LEARNED NOT TO DREAM ABOUT ME
YOU’VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITHOUT ME
BUT NO MATTER WHAT I DO
I CAN’T SEEM TO LEARN TO LIVE
I CAN’T SEEM TO LEARN TO LIVE
WITHOUT YOU