Elvis’ historic recording session at American Sound in 1969 was actually two sessions, one block in January and another in February. The January block, consisting of eleven recording dates, began on 13 January and concluded on 26 January. Of these eleven dates, only six featured Elvis with the other five being used for the band to lay down tracks, to which Elvis would add his vocal at a later date or non orchestral overdubs.
The second round of sessions began on 17 February and concluded on the twenty second but unlike the January equivalent, Elvis was present at all six dates in this block.
The first song recorded on 22 January, during the first block of recording dates, was the song which would close the “Back In Memphis” album, “Without Love (There Is Nothing). This lovely ballad, is one of the few non rock songs recorded at these sessions where Elvis uses much of the power in his voice. The ending to the song would not sound out of place on many of the studio albums that Elvis would create during the seventies.
In addition to the two blocks of recording sessions in January and February, an additional two block of sessions were needed in March and May for the orchestral overdubs to the be added. These additional sessions were split between RCA’s studio in Nashville and American Sound.
Most days had an afternoon and evening session, and it was on the afternoon of 7 May 1969, that the orchestral overdubs were added to this song. However, the final touches were added the following afternoon when the backing vocals were recorded.