"Careless Love" is a traditional song of obscure origins.
Blues versions are popular; the lyrics change from version to version, but usually speak of the heartbreak brought on by "careless love." Frequently, the narrator threatens to kill his or her wayward lover.
"Careless Love" was one of the best known pieces in the repertory of the Buddy Bolden band in New Orleans, Louisiana at the very start of the 20th century, and has remained a jazz standard and blues standard. Hundreds of recordings have been made in folk, blues, jazz, country, and pop styles; some of the more notable versions include those by Bessie Smith, Marilyn Lee, Ottilie Patterson, Pete Seeger, and George Lewis. Big Joe Turner recorded it several times over his long career. Fats Domino made a recording of it in 1951, and it has also been sung by Elvis Presley, Entrance, Louis Armstrong, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Dave Van Ronk, Leadbelly, Odetta, Janis Joplin, Siouxsie Sioux, Joan Baez, Ray Charles, Dr. John, Madeleine Peyroux, Bob Dylan, Bill Monroe and Johnny Cash, Frankie Laine, Skip James and Harry Connick Jr.
The song's melody also is used in other blues songs, notably "A bunch of thyme" and Moon Mullican's "Worries on my mind". Elements of the Bessie Smith version's melody show up in Jerry Lee Lewis's 1956 version of "Crazy Arms" as well.
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W. C. Handy's song "Loveless Love" uses the familiar melody of "Careless Love". The lyrics compare loveless love to synthetic goods and artificial food:
Handy's composition tells a love story, rather than the original story line of a tragic death. The death referenced in the older song was the son of a Kentucky governor."[1]
W.C. Handy copyrighted "Careless Love" in 1926. Copyright Handy Brothers Music Co.[2]
In the sitcom Melissa & Joey, "Careless Love" is Mel Burke's favorite song.[3]