I Have Nothing - Russell Watson

Russell Watson has the ability to turn his vocal talent to many different styles with little or no effort and on his new album ‘The Ultimate Collection’ the listener is given the opportunity to hear just what he can do when he has to perform a really BIG pop song. ClassicalX’s Tony Mayer checks out whether Russell has what it takes to stamp his name on the monster track ‘I Have Nothing’.

This is a BIG song and I mean BIG! It’s one of those songs that most people realise they can’t sing well enough so they just don’t try; and those that think they can, really shouldn’t bother. Written by husband and wife team David Foster and Linda Thompson, it was pushed in to the mainstream by the diva Whitney Houston in the 90s film ‘The Bodyguard’ and boy did she make it her own! Russell would really need to work hard to leave his mark on this song.

I will have to admit, I was surprised to hear him covering this track, not because it was too big for him, because let’s face it he can hit the ‘money’ note each time - it was more because no matter how it is performed, it will always be compared it to Whitney’s version – it’s such a hard song to call your own.

The tracks revised intro is just awful! It sounds more like the theme tune to a 70s television series where a little old lady always solves the crime and it took a good 10 seconds before I really recognised the melody. The weak instrumentals don’t help either and I can’t help but think this song has been recorded on a budget but thankfully Russell does compensate for the lack of backing with some very powerful notes (as always). His ability to control the song and not be lead by it works well – the constant rollercoaster ‘build up’ and ‘ease off’ style has Watson holding you to every note, and by the end you’ll want to stay in your seat and ride this beast again. If you like the big notes, you will not be disappointed.

This is a BIG song, performed superbly by a BIG artist with a BIG voice and is only let down by the tracks small budget production. Get him back in his natural habitat with a 40-piece backing and this song will pull on your heartstrings ‘til they break and probably give Whitney a real run for her money at the same time.


‘I Have Nothing’ Lyrics

Share my life,
Take me for what I am.
'Cause I'll never change
All my colors for you.

Take my love,
I'll never ask for too much,
Just all that you are
And everything that you do.

I don't really need to look
Very much further/farther,
I don't wanna have to go
Where you don't follow.
I will hold it back again,
This passion inside.
Can't run from myself,
There's nowhere to hide.
(Your love I'll remember forever.)

Chorus:
Don't make me close one more door,
I don't wanna hurt anymore.
Stay in my arms if you dare,
Or must I imagine you there.
Don't walk away from me.
(No, don't walk awya from me. Don't you dare walk away from me.)
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you (you, you, you./If I don't have you, oh, oo.)

You see through,
Right to the heart of me.
You break down my walls
With the strength of your love.

I never knew
Love like I've known it with you.
Will a memory survive,
One I can hold on to?

I don't really need to look
Very much further/farther,
I don't wanna have to go
Where you don't follow.
I will hold it back again,
This passion inside.
Can't run from myself,
There's nowhere to hide.
(Your love I'll remember forever.)


‘I Have Nothing’ is released March 13 as part of the track listing on Russell Watson’s new album ‘The Ultimate Collection’.

Added: February 17th 2006
Reviewer: xboss
Score: