Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Official Lyric Video)

Introduction

This may contain: elvis presley is smiling and holding a guitar in front of a green background that says something for the girl

“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” is a timeless ballad that has captivated audiences for decades with its poignant lyrics and evocative delivery. Originally penned in 1926 by lyricist Roy Turk and composer Lou Handman, the song was first recorded by Charles Hart in 1927. Its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics quickly made it a favorite, leading to numerous renditions by artists like Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the Blue Barron Orchestra .

In April 1960, Elvis Presley, fresh from his military service, recorded his version of the song at the suggestion of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Parker’s wife, Marie Mott, was particularly fond of the tune, which influenced his recommendation. Despite initial reservations from RCA Victor executives about the song’s fit with Presley’s evolving style, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” was released in November 1960. The single became an immediate success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, and earning a 2× Platinum certification from the RIAA .

A distinctive feature of Presley’s rendition is the spoken bridge, inspired by Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” which adds a theatrical dimension to the performance. This unique element not only showcased Presley’s vocal versatility but also deepened the song’s emotional resonance, allowing listeners to connect with its themes of love and longing on a profound level .

Over the years, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” has remained a staple in Presley’s repertoire, performed in various live settings, including the 1968 NBC special and his 1969 Las Vegas engagement. Its enduring popularity underscores the universal appeal of its themes and the enduring legacy of Elvis Presley as a masterful interpreter of song.

Video

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A $17 HARMONY GUITAR PURCHASED FOR AN EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY DID MORE THAN JUST BREAK THE SILENCE IN A LOGGING CAMP—IT BECAME THE SALVATION FOR A STRUGGLING TEENAGE MOTHER…… Living nearly 3,000 miles away from the Appalachian mountains she knew, Loretta Lynn was entirely isolated in Custer, Washington. Before leaving her teenage years behind, she was already raising four children. Her husband, Doolittle, spent his time working demanding labor jobs or drinking, leaving Loretta to manage the brutal realities of poverty alone. She spent her days scrubbing diapers over a washboard and stretching meager meals, swallowed by a profound loneliness…….. When Doolittle gave her that inexpensive guitar, it was not the beginning of a calculated career. Loretta taught herself to play just to cope with the isolation. Eventually, she stepped into rough local honky-tonks, driven by the simple need to put food on her family’s table. She poured her exhaustion, the betrayals she endured, and the harsh truths of a young wife into every lyric……. Without realizing it, Loretta was writing anthems for millions of working-class women who had never heard their own silent struggles broadcast over a microphone. She survived a grueling chapter of her life by turning her daily reality into an undeniable weapon. The precise steps that turned those honky-tonk survival songs into her first official recordings—and the agonizing choices she faced when she left her children behind to promote those records out of the backseat of a car—reveal the true price of her legacy.

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