What Am I Living For

{{Infobox song

| name = What Am I Living For

| type = single

| artist = Chuck Willis

| album =

| B-side = Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes

| released = {{Start date|1958|3}}

| recorded =

| genre = R&B

| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=24}}

| label = Atlantic

| writer = Fred Jay, Art Harris{{cite web|title=secondhandsongs.com|url=https://www.https/|website=secondhandsongs.com|access-date=January 22, 2021|archive-date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/https://www.https/|url-status=dead}}

| producer =

| prev_title = Betty and Dupree

| prev_year = 1957

| next_title = Thunder and Lightning

| next_year = 1958

}}

"What Am I Living For" is a song written by Fred Jay and Art Harris and performed by Chuck Willis featuring the Reggie Obrecht Orchestra and Chorus. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. R&B chart and #9 on the U.S. pop chart in 1958.{{cite web|title=Chuck Willis, "What Am I Living For" Chart Positions|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For%3F+by+Chuck+Willis&id=8960|access-date=September 3, 2018}}

Chuck Willis’s version was the first rock and roll record released in stereo, "engineered by Tom Dowd of Atlantic Records".[https://acousticmusic.org/research/history/timeline-of-musical-styles-guitar-history/ TIMELINE OF MUSICAL STYLES & GUITAR HISTORY]

Other charting versions

Ernest Tubb released a version of the song which reached No. 19 on the U.S. country chart in 1959.{{cite web|title=Ernest Tubb, "What Am I Living For" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For+by+Ernest+Tubb&id=110932|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Conway Twitty released a version of the song which reached No. 26 on the U.S. pop chart in 1960.{{cite web|title=Conway Twitty, "What Am I Living For" 1960 Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For+by+Conway+Twitty&id=9615|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Percy Sledge released a version of the song which reached No. 91 on the U.S. pop chart in 1967.{{cite web|title=Percy Sledge, "What Am I Living For" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For+by+Percy+Sledge&id=32487|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Twitty re-released a version of the song which reached No. 59 on the U.S. country chart in 1971.{{cite web|title=Conway Twitty, "What Am I Living For" 1971 Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For+by+Conway+Twitty&id=112693|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Ray Charles released a version of the song which reached No. 20 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart and #54 on the U.S. pop chart in 1971.{{cite web|title=Ray Charles, "What Am I Living For" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=What+Am+I+Living+For+by+Ray+Charles&id=34409|access-date=September 3, 2018}}

Other versions

Jack Scott released a version of the song as a single in 1960, but it did not chart.{{cite web|title=Jack Scott, "What Am I Living For" Single Release|website=Discogs |date=June 1960 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Jack-Scott-What-Am-I-Living-For-Indiana-Waltz/release/3800547|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Ernie Freeman released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.{{cite web|title=Ernie Freeman, "What Am I Living For" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/5815us|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Carl McVoy released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.{{cite web|title=Carl McVoy, "What Am I Living For" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/452054us|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Kitty Wells featuring The Jordanaires released a version of the song on her 1962 album Queen of Country Music.{{cite web|title=Kitty Wells, Queen of Country Music|website=Discogs |year=1963 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Kitty-Wells-Queen-Of-Country-Music/release/5196568|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Billy Fury released a version of the song on his 1963 album Am I Blue. It was produced by Dick Rowe.{{cite web|title=Billy Fury, Am I Blue|website=Discogs |year=1963 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Billy-Fury-Am-I-Blue/release/1774658|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Wanda Jackson released a version of the song on her 1963 album Love Me Forever. It was produced by Ken Nelson.{{cite web|title=Wanda Jackson, Love Me Forever|website=Discogs |year=1963 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Wanda-Jackson-Love-Me-Forever/release/8733484|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Millie Small released a version of the song as the B-side to her 1964 single "Sweet William".{{cite web|title=Millie Small, "Sweet William" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1964 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Millie-Small-Sweet-William/release/2558774|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
The Everly Brothers released a version of the song on their 1965 album Beat & Soul. It was produced by Dick Glasser.{{cite web|title=The Everly Brothers, Beat & Soul|website=Discogs |year=1965 |url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Everly-Brothers-Beat-Soul/release/5858016|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
The Animals released a version of the song on their 1966 album Animalisms. It was produced by Tom Wilson.{{cite web|title=The Animals, Animalisms|website=Discogs |date=May 1966 |url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Animals-Animalisms/release/1213489|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Filipino singer Eddie Peregrina released a version of the song in 1966, later released on his 1968 album of the same name. In 1977, he later recorded a Filipino version of the song titled "Nabubuhay Ako, Dahil Sa Iyo" on his 1977 compilation album, Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, released posthumously. Almost four decades later, singer April Boy Regino sang a Filipino version of the song titled "Paano ang Puso Ko?" as theme of the 1997 film of the same name.
Rodger Collins released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1967 single "Hands Off My Girl".{{cite web|title=Rodger Collins, "Hands Off My Girl" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1967 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Rodger-Collins-Hands-Off-My-Girl-What-Am-I-Living-For/release/5124623|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Danny and The Velaires released a version of the song as a single in 1967, but it did not chart.{{cite web|title=Danny and The Velaires, "What Am I Living For" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1967 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Danny-And-The-Velaires-What-Am-I-Livin-For/release/9077488|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Z. Z. Hill released a version of the song on his 1967 album A Whole Lot of Soul.{{cite web|title=Z. Z. Hill, A Whole Lot of Soul|website=Discogs |year=1967 |url=https://www.discogs.com/ZZ-Hill-A-Whole-Lot-Of-Soul/release/4429275|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann released a version of the song on their 1968 album Archie and Lorene Tell It Like It Is. It was produced by Bob Ferguson.{{cite web|title=Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann, Archie and Lorene Tell It Like It Is|website=Discogs |year=1968 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Archie-Campbell-And-Lorene-Mann-Archie-And-Lorene-Tell-It-Like-It-Is/release/3484251|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Solomon Burke released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1969 single "Proud Mary".{{cite web|title=Solomon Burke, "Proud Mary" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Solomon-Burke-Proud-Mary-What-Am-I-Living-For/release/4478968|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Wilbert Harrison released a version of the song on his 1969 album Let's Work Together. It was produced by Juggy Murray.{{cite web|title=Wilbert Harrison, Let's Work Together|website=Discogs |year=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Wilbert-Harrison-Lets-Work-Together/release/4102008|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Johnny Tillotson released a version of the song on his 1969 album Tears on My Pillow. It was produced by Jimmy Bowen.{{cite web|title=Johnny Tillotson, Tears on My Pillow|website=Discogs |year=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Tillotson-Tears-On-My-Pillow/release/2956660|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Andy Williams released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1969 single "A Woman's Way". It was produced by Dick Glasser.{{cite web|title=Andy Williams, "A Woman's Way" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Andy-Williams-A-Womans-Way/release/7424083|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Bill Phillips released a version of the song on his 1970 album Little Boy Sad. It was produced by Owen Bradley.{{cite web|title=Bill Phillips, Little Boy Sad|website=Discogs |year=1970 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Phillips-Little-Boy-Sad/release/4534837|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Lon Satton released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1970 single "Someone Is Standing Outside".{{cite web|title=Lon Satton, "Someone is Standing Outside" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/6006018|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Jimmy Capps released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1972 single "Free Wheelin'".{{cite web|title=Jimmy Capps, "Free Wheelin" Single Release|website=Discogs |year=1972 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Jimmy-Capps-Free-Wheelin/release/4921391|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Sonny James released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1973 single "Surprise, Surprise".{{cite web|title=Sonny James, "Surprise, Surprise" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/3779us|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Little Joe Y La Familia Inc. released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1975 single "Paso Del Norte".{{cite web|title=Little Joe Y La Familia Inc., "Paso Del Norte" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/bsr5075|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown released a version of the song on his 1989 album Standing My Ground.{{cite web|title=Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Standing My Ground|website=Discogs |year=1989 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Clarence-Gatemouth-Brown-Standing-My-Ground/release/3601596|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Carl Perkins released a version of the song on his 1993 album This Old House.{{cite web|title=Carl Perkins, This Old House|website=Discogs |year=1993 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Carl-Perkins-This-Old-House/release/3938254|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Taj Mahal released a version of the song on his 1996 album Phantom Blues. It was produced by John Porter.{{cite web|title=Taj Mahal, Phantom Blues|website=Discogs |year=1996 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Taj-Mahal-Phantom-Blues/release/3480193|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Alan Price and The Electric Blues Company released a version of the song on their 1996 album A Gigster's Life for Me.{{cite web|title=Alan Price and The Electric Blues Company, A Gigster's Life for Me|website=Discogs |year=1995 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Alan-Price-And-The-Electric-Blues-Company-A-Gigsters-Life-For-Me/release/7269574|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Jimmy Clanton released a version of the song on his 1997 compilation album Go, Jimmy, Go!: The Very Best of Jimmy Clanton.{{cite web|title=Jimmy Clanton, Go, Jimmy, Go!: The Very Best of Jimmy Clanton|website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/go-jimmy-go%21-the-very-best-of-jimmy-clanton-mw0000037611|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
The Band released a version of the song on their 2001 re-release of the album Moondog Matinee.{{cite web|title=The Band, Moondog Matinee|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Band-Moondog-Matinee/release/444091|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Julie Hanify, David Mahler, and Larry Polansky released a version of the song on their 2005 album Too Late.{{cite web|title=Julie Hanify, David Mahler, and Larry Polansky, Too Late|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Julie-Hanify-David-Mahler-Larry-Polansky-Too-Late/release/7948805|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Van Morrison released a version of the song on his 2006 album Pay the Devil.{{cite web|title=Van Morrison, Pay the Devil|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Van-Morrison-Pay-The-Devil/release/1561330|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Gene Taylor Blues Band featuring Dave Alvin released a version of the song on their 2008 album Live!!! 605 Boogie!!!{{cite web|title=Gene Taylor Blues Band featuring Dave Alvin, Live!!! 605 Boogie!!!|website=Discogs |date=10 November 2008 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Gene-Taylor-Blues-Band-Featuring-Dave-Alvin-Live-605-Boogie/release/5853923|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy released a version of the song on their 2013 album What the Brothers Sang.{{cite web|title=Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, What the Brothers Sang|website=Discogs |date=19 February 2013 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Dawn-McCarthy-Bonnie-Prince-Billy-What-The-Brothers-Sang/release/4512849|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Pine Leaf Boys released a version of the song on their 2013 album Danser. It was produced by Joel Savoy.{{cite web|title=Pine Leaf Boys, Danser|website=Discogs |date=31 May 2013 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Pine-Leaf-Boys-Danser/release/4713639|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver released a version of the song on their 2017 album Life Is a Story.{{cite web|title=Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Life Is a Story|website=Discogs |date=25 August 2017 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Doyle-Lawson-Quicksilver-Life-Is-A-Story/release/10633839|access-date=September 3, 2018}}