This song was written in 1965 by P. Donaggio and V. Pallavicini for a song
contest in San Remo, Italy using the title "Lo Che Non Vivo (Senza Te)". The
English lyrics were written by Vicki Wickham and Simon Napier-Bell. Dusty
Springfield had a hit with the song in 1966 and her version inspired Elvis to
record the song on June 6, 1970 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. The
musicians were: James Burton, Chip Young, Charlie Hodge, and Elvis Presley (all
on guitar); Norbert Putnam (bass); Jerry Carrigan (drums); David Briggs (piano);
and Charlie McCoy (harmonica and organ). The backing vocals, overdubbed later,
were by Millie Kirkham, Mary Greene, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Temple
Riser, June Page, Sonja Montgomery, Dolores Edgin, The Jordanaires and The
Imperials. Strings and horns, overdubbed later, were by: Charlie McCoy, George
Tidwell, Don Sheffiedl and Glenn Baxter (all on trumpet); Wayne Butler, Norman
Ray and Skip Lane (all on sax); Skip Lane (flute and clarinet); Gene Mullins
(trombone); and William Puett (flute and saxophone). "You Don't Have to Say You
Love Me" was released in October 1970 with "Patch It Up" as the flipside. In the
U.S. it peaked at #1 in its 11-week run on the easy listening chart, peaked at
#56 on the country chart, and peaked at #11 in its 10-week run on the pop chart.
In the U.K. it peaked at #9 its 7-week run on the pop chart.