Which version of the 1920's classic Love Me or Leave Me do you like best? Sammy Davis Jr. or Lena Horne?

I was never a fan of Lena Horne, so of the two I would have to say I prefer Sammy Davis Jr. However I don't like the arrangement (the tempo is too fast). Billie Holiday's version is my favourite.

I like them both. Both Davis and Horne are great jazzy singers of the 50s/60s.

But Love Me or Leave Me is not a high-energy jazzy song. It's what we sued to call a 'torch song'. Torch songs (and torch singers) were not popular in the 50s and 60s so singers jazzed them up and 'belted' them. The song was made famous by Ruth Etting, in fact the film about her life was called Love Me or Leave Me. (And even the movie starred Doris Day. I love DD but she is not even the same kind of singer Etting was!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26tDaJbLgc

Even this rendition is a little jazzier than I remember it. But there's a hint of sadness in her voice, plus a hint of outrage. It's not just about belting out an old standard.

Probably Helen Morgan