Introduction
“My Boy” stands as one of the most emotionally resonant ballads in Elvis Presley’s later career. Originally a French song entitled “Parce que je t’aime, mon enfant,” it was written in 1970 by Claude François and Jean‑Pierre Bourtayre. French lyrics express a father’s heartfelt devotion to his young son. In 1971, Irish actor–singer Richard Harris introduced the English version—adapted by Phil Coulter and Bill Martin—which reached #41 on the Billboard pop chart and #13 on adult contemporary charts .
Elvis recorded “My Boy” in December 1973 at Stax Studios in Memphis during sessions for his Good Times album. RCA released the album on March 20, 1974 . Capitalizing on Elvis’s deep, impassioned vocal style, the track was issued as a single in late 1974 and gained momentum into early 1975. It ascended to #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and enjoyed strong success on the country chart (#14) and Cash Box (#17). Most notably, it dominated the U.S. and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts, climbing to #1 in April 1975 .
In Europe, Elvis’s interpretation resonated deeply. It reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1975 and secured top-10 status in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and New Zealand . In the UK, it even earned a silver certification .
Lyrically, “My Boy” is a poignant father‑to‑son soliloquy, where the narrator confronts the breakdown of his marriage. Declaring that his son is the one remaining reason to stay, the song portrays love as both salvation and sacrifice . Elvis’s rendition deepens this emotional core through his warm baritone and expressive phrasing, bringing universal themes of paternal devotion and emotional vulnerability to life.
“My Boy” thus captures a moment of mature artistry in Elvis’s career—melding European songwriting, American country‐pop sensibility, and a heartfelt performance that continues to resonate with listeners around the world.