"Careless Love" is a traditional song of obscure origins.

Blues versions are popular; the lyrics change from version to version, but usually speak of the heartbreak brought on by "careless love." Frequently, the narrator threatens to kill his or her wayward lover.

Love, oh love, oh careless love,

You fly to my head like wine,

You've ruined the life of many a poor girl,

and you nearly wrecked this life of mine

"Careless Love" was one of the best known pieces in the repertory of the Buddy Bolden band in New Orleans, Louisiana at the very start of the 20th century, and has remained a jazz standard and blues standard. Hundreds of recordings have been made in folk, blues, jazz, country, and pop styles; some of the more notable versions include those by Bessie Smith, Marilyn Lee, Ottilie Patterson, Pete Seeger, and George Lewis. Big Joe Turner recorded it several times over his long career. Fats Domino made a recording of it in 1951, and it has also been sung by Elvis Presley, Entrance, Louis Armstrong, Lonnie Johnson, Dave Van Ronk, Leadbelly, Janis Joplin, Siouxsie Sioux, Joan Baez, Ray Charles, Dr. John, Madeleine Peyroux, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, Frankie Laine, and Harry Connick Jr.

W. C. Handy's "Loveless Love"

W. C. Handy's song "Loveless Love" uses the familiar melody of "Careless Love". The lyrics compare loveless love to synthetic goods and artificial food:

Oh love oh love oh loveless love

Has set our heart on goal-less goals

From milkless milk and silkless silk

We are growing used to soul-less souls

Such grafting times we never saw

That’s why we have a pure food law

In everything we find a flaw

Even love oh love oh loveless love