“(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” is a rock song by the American band Nelson. It was released as the lead single from their debut album “After the Rain” in 1990. The song was written by Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the twin sons of musician Ricky Nelson and American primitive painter, actress, and author Kristin Nelson. “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” achieved chart success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It became Nelson’s signature song and remains their biggest hit to date. The success of the song and the “After the Rain” album helped establish Nelson as prominent figures in the pop-rock genre during the early 1990s.
“(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” is characterized by its melodic and catchy hooks, reminiscent of the pop-rock sound prevalent in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The song features upbeat guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section, and the harmonized vocals of Matthew and Gunnar Nelson.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of love and longing for a romantic partner, expressing the narrator’s inability to live without their love and affection. The heartfelt and sincere lyrics resonated with listeners, and the song became a commercial success.
The music video for “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” features model and actress Judie Aronson who first appears on the cover of a magazine called “Vague”, a parody of Vogue magazine..
While Nelson’s subsequent releases didn’t match the commercial success of their debut, “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” remains a nostalgic and beloved song from the era. Its catchy hooks, memorable chorus, and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate with fans of 1990s rock music.