And When I Die
Encyclopedia
"And When I Die" is a song written by American singer Laura Nyro
. It was first recorded by American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary
in 1966. Nyro then recorded it on her 1968 debut album More Than a New Discovery
. However, the song is probably best known for its cover version by American rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears
, which reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
. The song gives a positive outlook about death, stating at the Chorus, "And When I Die,/ And When I'm Gone./ They'll be one child born in this world/ To Carry on/ to Carry On"/.
for $5000, who then recorded the song for their sixth studio album The Peter, Paul and Mary Album
.
Later, the song was covered by American rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears
for their self-titled second album
and was eventually released as the third single from the album, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
; the album's previous two singles had also stalled at #2 on the Hot 100. The Blood, Sweat & Tears version exists in the album version, which features two instrumental portions, one featuring a player piano, and the other featuring horns and a clipped clopping sound, like a western cowboy song. Also, the pauses between the Choruses and the other two verses, are slightly longer, while the single version omits the two instrumental portions, as well as the two pauses. The song begins with a harmonica solo, before the first verse comes in. The harmonica does accompany the other two verses.
The song was covered by The Heavy
. This version was used in the season four finale of True Blood
Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved considerable critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession and New York Tendaberry, and had commercial success with artists such as Barbra Streisand and The 5th...
. It was first recorded by American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
in 1966. Nyro then recorded it on her 1968 debut album More Than a New Discovery
More Than a New Discovery
More Than A New Discovery is the debut album by Bronx-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro. It was recorded during 1966 and released at the beginning of the following year on the Folkways imprint of the Verve label...
. However, the song is probably best known for its cover version by American rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
, which reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song gives a positive outlook about death, stating at the Chorus, "And When I Die,/ And When I'm Gone./ They'll be one child born in this world/ To Carry on/ to Carry On"/.
Song information
"And When I Die" was one of the first songs written by Nyro, written when she was 17 years old. She then sold the song to folk group Peter, Paul and MaryPeter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
for $5000, who then recorded the song for their sixth studio album The Peter, Paul and Mary Album
The Peter, Paul and Mary Album
The Peter, Paul and Mary Album is the sixth studio album by the American folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, released in 1966 ....
.
Later, the song was covered by American rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
for their self-titled second album
Blood, Sweat & Tears (album)
Blood, Sweat & Tears is the second album by the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, released in 1968. It was a huge commercial success, rising to the top of the U.S. charts for a collective seven weeks and yielding three successive Top 5 singles...
and was eventually released as the third single from the album, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
; the album's previous two singles had also stalled at #2 on the Hot 100. The Blood, Sweat & Tears version exists in the album version, which features two instrumental portions, one featuring a player piano, and the other featuring horns and a clipped clopping sound, like a western cowboy song. Also, the pauses between the Choruses and the other two verses, are slightly longer, while the single version omits the two instrumental portions, as well as the two pauses. The song begins with a harmonica solo, before the first verse comes in. The harmonica does accompany the other two verses.
The song was covered by The Heavy
The Heavy
The Heavy is a 2010 thriller film directed by Marcus Warren and stars Vinnie Jones, Shannyn Sossamon and Christopher Lee.-Plot:The film is about rivalry and betrayal between two brothers. One is a candidate for Prime Minister and the other is a henchman for a businessman...
. This version was used in the season four finale of True Blood
True Blood
True Blood is an American television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional, small town in the state of Louisiana...
Charts
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
2 |