This, That, and the Other

For this week’s Thursday Inspiration prompt, Jim Adams has “nothing.” Literally, he has nothing. He explained that he didn’t have a song prepared for today because he was busy helping out a blogging friend. Despite that, there is still going to be a challenge today. Jim said we can respond to it by either using the prompt word nothing, or going with the above picture, or by means of any song, or anything else that you think fits.as our challenge.

What came to mind for me was the song, “I Who Have Nothing,” originally recorded by Ben E. King in 1963. The song’s melody was based on an Italian song, “Uno Dei Tanti,” which translates to “One of Many.” King had heard the song in Italy and asked his producers, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, to translate the lyrics into English.

It was covered by other artists, including Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. Produced by George Martin, Bassey released the song in the U.K. three months after King’s release in the U.S. Tom Jones recorded a version that was released in 1970. This became the most popular version of the song in the United States, peaking at number 14 in 1970 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Easy Listening chart.

I, I who have nothing
I, I who have no one
Adore you and want you so
I'm just a no one with nothing to give you but, oh
I love you

He, he buys you diamonds
Bright, sparkling diamonds
But, believe me, dear, when I say
That he can give you the world but he'll never love the way
I love you

He can take you any place he wants
To fancy clubs and restaurants
But I can only watch you with
My nose pressed up against the window pane

I, I who have nothing
I, I who have no one
Must watch you go dancing by
Wrapped in the arms of somebody else when, darling, it's I
Who loves you

I love you
I love you
I love you

Here are the three versions of the song I referenced. Which one do you like best?