Laura Branigan vs. Michael Bolton | Face Off

In the seventh edition of Face Off (2026), Laura Branigan and Michael Bolton face off for the best rendition of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.”

Ah, let the Face Off begin! The sun has set on Head 2 Head (2021 – 2025), but the musical competition has “only just begun”, Karen Carpenter! In Face Off, musicians compete to determine who delivered the best version of a song. In most cases, the musicians are performing the same song or a remix, rearrangement, or variation of the song.  Each performance will be evaluated for vocal or instrumental performance, production, and so on and so forth. After blurbing about each performance, I will briefly deliberate and deliver a verdict about who wins the Face Off.  Draws and ties are acceptable, but in most cases, one band, group, or musician will get the edge. In the seventh edition of Face Off (2026), Laura Branigan and Michael Bolton face off for the best rendition of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”. May the best musician win!

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Table of Contents
1. Laura Branigan, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”	2. Michael Bolton, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”
Deliberation	Verdict

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1. Laura Branigan, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”

Branigan 2 » Atlantic Recording Corporation » 1983

The first person to record “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was NOT Michael Bolton (b. 1953), though he was ALWAYS involved… more on that in a moment. Grammy-nominated pop musician Laura Branigan (1952 – 2004) was the first person to record the 1980s pop gem.  “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is the sixth track on Branigan’s 1983, gold-certified sophomore album, Branigan 2. Here is where Bolton was always in the picture… He penned the gem alongside Doug James.  That means, it was sort of always his song, wasn’t it? Anyway, the second single from Branigan 2 peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not too shabby! It marked her fourth most successful pop single behind top 10 hits “Gloria”, “Self Control”, and “Solitaire”.

 

In Laura Branigan’s hands, there’s lots to sink one’s teeth into in “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” It commences gorgeously as a piano ballad. That’s a win.  Branigan delivers a tender, nuanced vocal performance. She sings beautifully throughout the course of the record, never faltering. As the song progresses, the musical accompaniment picks up steam. The drums and bass enter the mix during the pre-chorus, while the chorus, rightfully, marks the biggest, most dramatic section of the song:

“Tell me how am supposed to live without you?

Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long

How am I supposed to live without you?

How am I supposed to carry on?

When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone.”

The first chorus is big, but non troppo. Branigan still sounds as if she never or barely breaks a sweat. The second verse features more developed musical accompaniment (full rhythm section, beyond piano). Branigan packs more of a punch during the second chorus. There is an ear-catching electric guitar bridge that is ‘80s through and through. The final pre-chorus is the biggest yet, with Branigan bringing it: “I don’t wanna know the price I’m gonna pay for dreaming / Now that your dream has come true.” The final choruses are strong, but with incredible vocal nuance; I’d argue she could’ve dug in even more. The fine recording of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” fades out, leaving an ultra-positive impression all said and done.  Did Laura Branigan do it? She sho’ did! 

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2. Michael Bolton, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”

Soul Provider » Sony Music Entertainment Inc. » 1989

That is a legitimate question and concern, Michael Bolton (b. 1953)! “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is the fourth track from the pop singer-songwriter’s 1989 multi-platinum album, Soul Provider.  Notably, Bolton covers the Laura Branigan (1952 – 2004) hit.  Notably, Bolton penned the gem alongside Doug James.  Yes, it’s still a cover, but he played a role in Branigan’s original success since he wrote it 😉.  Michael Omartian produced his version. Bolton’s cover spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  He won his first of two Grammys for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male at the 32^nd Annual Grammy Awards.  What I’m saying is, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is kind of a big deal.

“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” thrives because it is a big-time, soulful adult contemporary ballad.  Michael Bolton has a hell of a voice, perfectly attuned to balladry. Beyond his prodigious pipes, which shine brightest during the chorus, the musical accompaniment and production are on point (warm, sophisticated keyboards, programming, ripe guitar, robust bass, drums, etc.).  This song sounds like the perfect bridge between two eras – the 1980s and 1990s. But back to the voice! It is easy to buy what he sells, considering he sings authentically, dramatically, and expressively.  “I’m too proud for cryin’, didn’t come here to break down / It’s just a dream of mine is coming to an end,” he sings, defeated in the second verse, and concludes, “And how can I blame you when I built my world around / The hope that one day we’d be so much more than friends?” That’s deep, Michael.  Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, in all its big, illustrious, and overblown glory:  

“Tell me, how am I supposed to live without you
Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long?
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on
When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone?”

Following the second chorus, fittingly, there’s an exuberant guitar solo (nothing too crazy, though 😉).  This prefaces one final pre-chorus and the big one – the big, closing chorus, that is. In the final pre-chorus, Bolton is turned all the way up, showing off his sick upper register. Yes, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was a hit before Michael Bolton recorded it. But Mr. Bolton, after covering the song he co-wrote, made his version the definitive take.  

Appears in:

Michael Bolton, How Am I Supposed to Live Without You: Throwback Vibez No. 15 (2026)

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Deliberation

Ah, we’ve arrived at the deliberation! To Deliberate is “to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully.” With that definition courtesy of my go-to, Merriam-Webster, briefly break down these two distinct performances with some notes!

1. Laura Branigan, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”

2. Michael Bolton, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”

“How Am I Supposed To Love Without You” gave Laura Branigan her fourth most successful pop single; it peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. “How” hasn’t been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, but it’s parent album, Branigan 2, was certified gold. Michael Bolton, who would later cover it, and Doug James penned it. Branigan delivers a well-rounded, nuanced vocal performance. Features an ’80-to-the-core guitar solo before the final pre-chorus. While she’s all in, Branigan doesn’t ‘milk it’ (dig in) as much as Michael Bolton’s more successful cover. Branigan’s original recording plays second fiddle to “Solitaire”, her bigger hit from the album, yet, “How” has more than double the streams.

Bolton’s cover spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “How” hasn’t been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, but it’s parent album, Soul Provider, has been certified multi-platinum. Bolton co-wrote it with Doug James; Bolton earns credit for some of the song’s original success as a songwriter. Michael Bolton delivers a dramatic, passionate, and high-flying performance.  He milks it something fierce as the song progresses. Also features a guitar solo that prefaces the final pre-chorus. He won his first of two Grammys for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards. “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is the ‘big fish’ from Soul Provider.  It has been played more than 330 million times on Spotify alone.

 

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Verdict 

After much deliberation, yo boi, The Musical Hype, has reached a verdict. In the case… I mean, in the Face Off between Laura Branigan and Michael Bolton, Michael Bolton comes out on top! This was clear-cut. What was the difference? Michael Bolton’s performance, and the tremendous amount of success he earned with “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” He wrote this song that was recorded by another gifted artist; however, it was best suited for him.  Branigan did a fine job, but Bolton truly ate and left no crumbs, or the possibility of anyone else outperforming him. And with that said, stay tuned for the next Face Off!

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Laura Branigan vs. Michael Bolton: Face Off No. 7 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; fotografoedsonj ed, Marlon Schmeiski from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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