Love Me or Leave Me (Donaldson and Kahn song) Love Me or Leave Me (Donaldson and Kahn song) "Love Me or Leave Me" is a popular song written in 1928 by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was introduced in the Broadway play "Whoopee!", which opened in December 1928. Ruth Etting's performance of the song was so popular that she was also given the song to sing in the play "Simple Simon", which opened in February 1930. The original version of the song, the biggest-selling at the time, was recorded by Ruth Etting on December 17, 1928. It was issued by Columbia Records as catalog number
Love Me or Leave Me (film) opposite Cagney. "Love Me or Leave Me" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story, and was also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Cagney), Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Music, Song (for Nicholas Brodzsky and Sammy Cahn for "I'll Never Stop Loving You"), (one of two songs written especially for the film, the other being "Never Look Back") Best Sound, Recording (Wesley C. Miller) and Best Writing, Screenplay. "Variety" called the film "a rich canvas of the Roaring '20s, with gutsy and excellent performances." The film is recognized by