Written and first recorded by The Buddy Johnson Orchestra with Ella Johnson (1946).
Hit versions by Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten & His Trio (US #20/R&B #3 1947), Lenny Welch (US #4/MOR #3 1963).
Also recorded by Dinah Washington (1947), The Harptones (1953).
From the wiki: “‘Since I Fell for You’ is Blues ballad composed by Buddy Johnson in 1945 and first popularized by his sister, Ella Johnson, with The Buddy Johnson Orchestra. It has since gone on to become a Jazz and Pop standard, becoming a particular favorite of vocalists. Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten & His Trio recorded it in 1947, charting in the R&B Top 5. Dinah Washington also covered ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ in 1947 with no chart impact, Eartha Kitt in 1950, Julie London in 1964, Shirley Horn in 1987, and Etta Jones in 1998. It was the 1963 Lenny Welch cover that reached reached #4 on Billboard Hot 100, far and away his biggest career hit.
“Of all the R&B groups to come out of New York City in the 1950s, without a doubt The Harptones (‘Sunday Kind of Love‘) are the most beloved. In the UGHA (United in Group Harmony Association) 2000 survey of the Top 500 vocal group recordings, the Harptones, while never having had a #1 record, placed more songs (14) in the Top 500 than any other group. The Harptones recorded their cover of ‘Since I Fell For You” in November, 1954.
“A short time later, in December, the group made a memorable appearance at The Apollo Theater alongside The Buddy Johnson Orchestra, the original ‘Since I Fell For You’ recording artist. While the Harptones’ recording did do well locally in the New York City (well enough to land the group on the bill of Alan Freed’s first NYC ‘Rock And Roll Jubilee’ in January 1955), its national distribution was minimized because of Bruce Records’ poor distribution system.”
Dinah Washington, “Since I Fell For You” (1947):
Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten & His Trio, “Since I Fell For You” (1949):
The Harptones, “Since I Fell For You” (1953):
Lenny Welch, “Since I Fell For You” (1963):