About The Song
“(Without You) What Do I Do with Me” is a heartfelt country ballad by Tanya Tucker, released in October 1991 as the second single from her Liberty Records album What Do I Do with Me. Written by Lari White, Chris Waters, and David R. Chamberlain, it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for two weeks in January 1992, held off the top spot by Garth Brooks’ “The River,” and reached No. 2 on Canada’s RPM Country Tracks chart. The 3:33 track captures the raw vulnerability of losing a partner, with lines like: “What do I do now that I’m on my own? / Without you, what do I do with me?” Tucker’s emotive, husky vocals convey deep longing, as Billboard praised: “Tanya’s voice drips with heartache, making every word sting.” Tucker told CMT in 1992, “This song hit me hard—it’s like losing half your soul and figuring out what’s left.” The song’s emotional depth and Tucker’s comeback momentum made it a radio and fan favorite.
Recorded in 1991 at The Music Mill in Nashville, the track was produced by Jerry Crutchfield, with uncredited Nashville players likely including Brent Rowan on guitar, David Hungate on bass, and Paul Leim on drums, per Discogs. The lush arrangement—gentle acoustic guitar, soaring strings, and subtle piano—amplifies the song’s emotional weight, as AllMusic notes: “It’s a classic 1990s country ballad, with Tanya’s delivery stealing the show.” The album hit No. 9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 48 on the Billboard 200, earning gold certification. The C-G-Am chord progression and “I don’t wanna let you go” refrain, per Chordify, gave it broad appeal. A 2019 live version from Live From The Troubadour, produced by Brandi Carlile, reaffirmed its staying power, per Spotify.
Tanya Tucker, born October 10, 1958, in Seminole, Texas, was a teen prodigy with 1970s hits like “Delta Dawn” (1972) and “What’s Your Mama’s Name” (1973). After a quieter 1980s, her 1990s resurgence, including this track, reestablished her as a country force, culminating in 2019 Grammy wins for While I’m Livin’ and a 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame induction, per Wikipedia. “(Without You) What Do I Do with Me” was a live staple, performed at her 1992 CMA Awards appearance and 2020 Ryman Auditorium shows, with a YouTube clip showcasing her raw intensity. No notable covers exist, per SecondHandSongs. Reddit fans on r/country in 2024 called it “a gut-punch ballad,” with an X post noting: “Tanya’s voice still breaks my heart.”
The song appeared in no major films but thrives on streaming platforms, with Shazam users tagging its poignant melody. No controversies surround it—just Tucker’s ability to channel universal heartbreak, as No Depression notes: “Tanya makes you feel every ounce of loss.” “(Without You) What Do I Do with Me” remains a defining moment in her comeback, a timeless testament to love’s lingering ache.
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Lyric
What do I do now that I’m on my own?
I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know where I’ve been
When you were beside me, life seemed to have a plan
Without you, what do I do with me?I don’t wanna let you go, but I know I can’t hold on
It’s like reaching for a star when you’re standing all alone
Every night I’m dreaming of the way it used to be
Without you, what do I do with me?What do I do with all this love inside?
It’s burning me like fire, it’s tearing me apart
I keep looking for you in every face I see
Without you, what do I do with me?I don’t wanna let you go, but I know I can’t hold on
It’s like reaching for a star when you’re standing all alone
Every night I’m dreaming of the way it used to be
Without you, what do I do with me?Without you, what do I do with me?
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