Introduction
“Almost” is a poignant ballad performed by Elvis Presley in his 1969 film, The Trouble with Girls (And How to Get Into It). The song was penned by songwriters Ben Weisman and Buddy Kaye, who were prolific in crafting hits for Presley during his cinematic era. Elvis recorded “Almost” on October 23, 1968, at United Artist Recorders in Hollywood.
In the film, Elvis portrays a traveling showman, and “Almost” underscores a reflective moment in the narrative, highlighting themes of near-missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, with lines like “We almost shared a dream” and “We almost touched the stars,” encapsulating the essence of what could have been.
Musically, the track features a rich arrangement with contributions from notable session musicians of the time. The recording session included guitarists Jerry McGee, Morton Marker, and Robert Gibbons; bassist Max Bennett; drummers Frank Carlson and John Guerin; pianist Don Randi; and a brass section featuring trumpet player Roy Caton and trombonist Lew McCreary. The Mello Men, along with vocalists Jack Halloran, Ronald Hicklin, and Marilyn Mason, provided backing vocals, enriching the song’s emotional depth.
While “Almost” was not released as a standalone single, it remains a testament to Elvis’s ability to bring depth to the characters he portrayed, adding a layer of emotional complexity to The Trouble with Girls. The song exemplifies the fusion of cinematic storytelling with musical artistry, characteristic of Presley’s work during this period.