Songs from Elvis movies

[Iwillbetrue]

Hollywood's image of me was wrong and I knew it.

Elvis Presley, 1972 interview.

We all know the story. The dream, the realization of that dream at a young age, the gradual growth in confidence, some excellent performances, the slow compromises, the growing frustration, the long lasting impact on legacy.

And the most hurtful of it all- the prime of his life squandered on many ( not all, but too many) mediocre to bad soundtracks.

But despite these historical facts, the woulda- coulda- shouldas, we can, and do, enjoy some parts of Elvis' movies and soundtracks. Since we can't change what happened, but also because there are several excellent tracks and even many that are average but great fun to 'watch'.

So let's revisit Elvis' movie songs as they appeared in the films. And discuss what are our favourites and the ones that are OK and the ones that make us cringe.


We can discuss the vocals, the arrangements, the song writers, the context of the song within the narrative/ story of the film, the picturization, the co-star, the setting, any memorable covers/ original versions by other artists.

I am not very knowledgible about the chart positions across US & the world. But there are many long time Elvis experts here and I am looking forward to learning from them.

[Iwillbetrue]

There is some music, that creeps up on you slowly. Even something which is completely unlike your vibe. It captivates gently, without announcing its merits, till one day it has burrowed itself firmly in your heart.

A lot of Elvis music ( amongst others) is like that for me. Every now and then, I find myself humming some songs, even back up vocals and instrumentation- that I have no conscious memory of having as favourites.

Home is Where the Heart is has been one of them, and over a period of time it has become a firm favourite of mine. A gentle, soothing lullaby like track, recorded on October 26th, 1961, for the 1962 film Kid Galahad, was written by Sherman Edwards/ Hal David.

If I have to analyze, it is the sincerity and soulfulness of the vocals. The lyrics are simple. The melody is lilting and pleasant. Elvis, as he would do more often than not, elevates it to a mood that is at once light but also deeply felt. The subtle change in tonal quality from chorus to verse is flawless. The gently purring back up vocals and the twangy arrangement perfect.

Maybe I am Rolling stone
Who won't amount to much
But everything that I hold dear
Is close enough to touch

It is such a comforting, peaceful song. And it is the genius of Elvis Presley that it never becomes placid.

Also noteworthy is the non intrusive filming of the song and Elvis' natural performance, as he closes the book, keeps it on the back seat, tinkers with the car, to return to the woman he is singing the song to, casually leaning on the cart, and then sitting next to her as she invites him to. It is a sweet declaration of domestic contentment that is performed- visually as well as vocally- in an understated & moving manner.

Elvis' enduring appeal to women was not just because of his sexual persona, but also his boyish cuteness and sincerity. This persona, harnessed well, could have made him into a credible rom- com leading man. Ah well.

[Bilbobaggins]

This is a very nice song indeed. I first heard it on one of the Camdens. Loved it right away.

In the early 60's Elvis knew exactly how to make a gentle ballad like this sound perfect. A quality he had all his life btw. I do believe that, when Elvis had an emotional connection with a song, the rest always came natural. Unbeatable, just like with this beautiful tune.

[Edwin66]

Please Don't Stop Loving Me
You Don't Know Me
Can't Help Falling In Love
Let Us Pray
They Remind Me Too Much Of You
Almost

Just a few of my favorite movie tracks

[Iwillbetrue]

Please Don't Stop Loving Me
You Don't Know Me
Can't Help Falling In Love
Let Us Pray
They Remind Me Too Much Of You
Almost

Just a few of my favorite movie tracks

All superb songs.

[John]

Hollywood's image of me was wrong and I knew it.

Elvis Presley, 1972 interview.

We all know the story. The dream, the realization of that dream at a young age, the gradual growth in confidence, some excellent performances, the slow compromises, the growing frustration, the long lasting impact on legacy.

And the most hurtful of it all- the prime of his life squandered on many ( not all, but too many) mediocre to bad soundtracks.

But despite these historical facts, the woulda- coulda- shouldas, we can, and do, enjoy some parts of Elvis' movies and soundtracks. Since we can't change what happened, but also because there are several excellent tracks and even many that are average but great fun to 'watch'.

So let's revisit Elvis' movie songs as they appeared in the films. And discuss what are our favourites and the ones that are OK and the ones that make us cringe.


We can discuss the vocals, the arrangements, the song writers, the context of the song within the narrative/ story of the film, the picturization, the co-star, the setting, any memorable covers/ original versions by other artists.

I am not very knowledgible about the chart positions across US & the world. But there are many long time Elvis experts here and I am looking forward to learning from them.

This is such a wide topic, and it's almost impossible to dissect.

Right away, I can only think of two songs that make me cringe.

Old McDonald, which was an awful arrangement, Elvis looked very uncomfortable singing it and the lyrics were dire.

Hey Little Girl, sung to a child. In this respect the song had dodgy lyrics.

Other than that I think I'm OK with all the others, including Do The Clam, Datin' It's A Dog's Life and Dominic. Every song had its merits, whether the setting, the arrangement, the delivery or the content.

[Iwillbetrue]

Hollywood's image of me was wrong and I knew it.

Elvis Presley, 1972 interview.

We all know the story. The dream, the realization of that dream at a young age, the gradual growth in confidence, some excellent performances, the slow compromises, the growing frustration, the long lasting impact on legacy.

And the most hurtful of it all- the prime of his life squandered on many ( not all, but too many) mediocre to bad soundtracks.

But despite these historical facts, the woulda- coulda- shouldas, we can, and do, enjoy some parts of Elvis' movies and soundtracks. Since we can't change what happened, but also because there are several excellent tracks and even many that are average but great fun to 'watch'.

So let's revisit Elvis' movie songs as they appeared in the films. And discuss what are our favourites and the ones that are OK and the ones that make us cringe.


We can discuss the vocals, the arrangements, the song writers, the context of the song within the narrative/ story of the film, the picturization, the co-star, the setting, any memorable covers/ original versions by other artists.

I am not very knowledgible about the chart positions across US & the world. But there are many long time Elvis experts here and I am looking forward to learning from them.

This is such a wide topic, and it's almost impossible to dissect.

Right away, I can only think of two songs that make me cringe.

Old McDonald, which was an awful arrangement, Elvis looked very uncomfortable singing it and the lyrics were dire.

Hey Little Girl, sung to a child. In this respect the song had dodgy lyrics.

Other than that I think I'm OK with all the others, including Do The Clam, Datin' It's A Dog's Life and Dominic. Every song had its merits, whether the setting, the arrangement, the delivery or the content.

It is a wide topic.

But I think his movie songs deserve a long thread.

Sometimes, even when songs are mediocre, the visuals have interesting aspects.

It will be fun if we dissect the songs, even one by one per post.

For example, Dominic. The song that Elvis hated and it is a cringeworthy song. But visually, the scenery is vivid, and Elvis looks very good.
I also like the way it moves from valley to hilltop, as Elvis and the two ladies scamper across the hill.

[lechersteve]

I love the song, Follow That Dream, but abhor the staging of it for the movie. Elvis rolling around on the blanket, scratching his back, and singing with the radio that only had accompaniment on it. I find the scene cringe inducing. The vocal is so wonderful but I much prefer the original, mono, master to the stereo outtake that is often played these days.

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

Yes. Good topic

When I listened to the Elvis complete masters, the first discs have such conviction and energy

by 1964, most have a phoned in or embarrassed feel - the kissin cousin soundtrack for example, in the movie, Granny had the kick ass blues song

the bullfighter was a lady and no room to rhumba in a sport car are horrifying

however the Girls Girls Girls, song of the shrimp is a gorgeous vocal to a bizarre story

1968 there is that old energy that continued until 1974, when after that, it was a downward slide of depression