"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.
Other charting versions
Ernest Tubb released a version of the song which reached No. 19 on the U.S. country chart in 1959.
Conway Twitty released a version of the song which reached No. 26 on the U.S. pop chart in 1960.
Percy Sledge released a version of the song which reached No. 91 on the U.S. pop chart in 1967.
Twitty re-released a version of the song which reached No. 59 on the U.S. country chart in 1971.
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.
Other versions
Jack Scott released a version of the song as a single in 1960, but it did not chart.
Ernie Freeman released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.
Carl McVoy released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.
Solomon Burke released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1969 single "Proud Mary".
Wilbert Harrison released a version of the song on his 1969 album Let's Work Together. It was produced by Juggy Murray.
Johnny Tillotson released a version of the song on his 1969 album Tears on My Pillow. It was produced by Jimmy Bowen.
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.
Bill Phillips released a version of the song on his 1970 album Little Boy Sad. It was produced by Owen Bradley.
Lon Satton released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1970 single "Someone is Standing Outside".
Filipino singer Eddie Peregrina released a verson of the song in 1970. Almost three decades later, singer April Boy Regino sang a Filipino version of the song, entitled Paano Ang Puso Ko? as theme of the film of the same name released in 1997.
Jimmy Capps released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1972 single "Free Wheelin'".
Sonny James released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1973 single "Surprise, Surprise".
Little Joe Y La Familia Inc. released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1975 single "Paso Del Norte".
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown released a version of the song on his 1989 album Standing My Ground.
Carl Perkins released a version of the song on his 1993 album This Old House.
Taj Mahal released a version of the song on his 1996 album Phantom Blues. It was produced by John Porter.
Alan Price and The Electric Blues Company released a version of the song on their 1996 album A Gigster's Life for Me.
Jimmy Clanton released a version of the song on his 1997 compilation album Go, Jimmy, Go!: The Very Best ofJimmy Clanton.
The Band released a version of the song on their 2001 re-release of the albumMoondog Matinee.
Julie Hanify, David Mahler, and Larry Polansky released a version of the song on their 2005 album Too Late.
Van Morrison released a version of the song on his 2006 album Pay the Devil.
Gene Taylor Blues Band featuring Dave Alvin released a version of the song on their 2008 album Live!!! 605 Boogie!!!
Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy released a version of the song on their 2013 album What the Brothers Sang.
Pine Leaf Boys released a version of the song on their 2013 album Danser. It was produced by Joel Savoy.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver released a version of the song on their 2017 album Life Is a Story.
