The soul of Composers:
The score. Elvis Presley
In the life of an artist like Elvis Presley, music was a part of himself. When he heard something he liked, he perceived it in a special and natural way for him. For that reason he was able to feel and assimilate different styles and adapt them to his own singing. When Elvis sang he not only gave interpretation to the scores, he gave them body and soul with his sensitivity. He made them his forever and this is the reason why he would be so great, so eternal and special.
There are very few artists who are capable of to be able to make us feel that the music belongs to him and impregnate us with his notes. And this was Elvis Presley! But it is true that Elvis did not compose the songs and he always needed composers to be able to execute his magic. They are great professionals who capture in their scores the experiences of his soul. Without them, the creation of Elvis would be non-existent unless he had started to compose, but thanks to them we can enjoy his songs at all times and associate them with fragments of our existence. Many of them were successful through Elvis Presley, with own interpretation or by other artists.
It is clear that if Elvis sang any of his songs, a door to eternity was opened that many cannot even dream of. The Composer lives on his effort and in some cases manages to achieve success. But the truth is that music sometimes does not it sustains a way of life for all artists and songwriters, despite the talent and haphazard successes of the day. Music requires willpower, tenacity and above all soul.
Because without it the score will never convey anything.
Although the Magic of someone like Elvis can convert it.
"Following the Way of the King..."
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Two greats of music
The mature and customary society faced with something very different that prompted the youth to cry out for their own freedom and confront the established. Leiber and Stoller's score did not want to go that far, it was Elvis's interpretation that made the break and tear in the schemes of society. Youth would take as a symbol the figure of Elvis Presley, who in a natural and improvised way danced to a song that he simply wanted to interpret, it is true that it was a new style, with strength and soul and that he managed to make people jump from their seats. But Elvis would always defend his music as something he wanted to sing, without dragging anyone in a rebellious way, even with all this, the youth woke up to shout to the world their discontent and their desire to change customs. The song had been composed by two authors who had already had great success up to now, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had already had it with the song "Hard Times", recorded by Charles Brown in 1952 and with the song "Kansas City", but with Elvis Presley they would reach fame and his heyday of hits starting with Hound Dog.
They weren't really fans of Elvis at first, in fact when they were named they said... "Elvis who?" and also he started singing, they didn't like the way he interpreted in this song. They said it had nothing to do with its origin, that it was about a woman who wants to throw a freeloader out of her house... Leiber would confess this years later, at the time they obviously said nothing, because they were musicians and wanted to live of his music. Although over time they began to appreciate his way of singing, especially when they met him personally. But starting with "Jailhouse Rock", they did enjoy all of his performances. and above all the benefits. Jerry and Mike were two children of Jewish origin, during the Second World War, their family migrated to California, where they grew up in environments related to black culture and its influence was clear in their compositions.
They met in Los Angeles in 1950, Stoller played piano in a jazz band, and Leiber works in a record store. Both were united by their taste for black music, which is why they decided to compose together. Although they founded their own label in 1953, they became independent songwriters so they could do their work freely and for whomever they wanted, they collaborated closely with Atlantic Records. When Elvis performed his song "Hound Dog," Leiber and Stoller weren't entirely happy. for the performance, but they were pleased nonetheless by the royalties they received from their cover and its success would change the course of their careers. Suddenly they were responsible for the music that commercially revolutionized the American market and was categorized as Rock and Roll.
Rock became a new vein in the music industry, turning Leiber and Stoller overnight into the great composers of Rock and Elvis into its main figure. Curiosity of the moment was that Mike Stoller was traveling on an ocean liner, when "Hound Dog" hit number one... Mike Stoller was sure he would die when the liner Andrea Doria and the Swedish Stockholm collided in the fog off the coast of Massachusetts at 11:10 p.m. on July 25, 1956 and sank 11 hours later on July 26. Unfortunately, 51 people died, but fortunately he was saved and when he reached land he was phoned by Jerry Leiber who announced that they had reached number one, thanks to a young white man named Elvis Presley. His songs were famous and Elvis would interpret several composed by They, like "Love me", "Don't", "King Creole", "Jailhouse Rock", "Loving You", over time due to copyrights they left their collaboration for economic reasons. Elvis came to appreciate his songs, his company and demanded that they be in the recordings, in the filming, he had them as his lucky charm. But Colonel Parker made the mistake of wanting to hire them with a blank contract, asking them to sign it without reading the conditions, offending the two musicians, who promised not to work with him again. Elvis always wanted to collaborate with them again, but could not because of the monetary demands imposed by Colonel Parker to which they never submitted again.
As songwriters they would go on to write more than 70 hits on the charts and be included in the Hall of Songwriters Fame in 1985 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Two music greats...
"Following the Way of the King..."
The rapport between musician and composers.
Elvis, Leiber & Stoller
The initial idea that Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had of what Elvis Presley was like, made them initially defensive about new projects and especially having to work with him more closely when the movie "Jailhouse Rock" was made. They thought that Elvis was a spoiled and spoiled child, but as they got to know him, they realized that he was a great professional who just wanted to make his music to his liking and that he repeated over and over again, until he reached the recording perfection. They came to understand him so well that Elvis would ask them for a song and they would compose it on the fly. The rapport between artist and composers was maximum and their approach as friends would also be important. Elvis enjoyed his music, because it seemed made for him. They both witnessed how Elvis gave himself body and soul to the music, focused on one song and looking for perfection, until his feeling was the true reflection of the music performed.
Of many authors that Elvis Presley would know throughout his career, these two authors would be loved and chosen by him, until finally the relationship with Colonel Parker spoiled their friendship. Tom Parker wanted to financially take advantage of the composers by demanding money that was a shame for the authors, who lost their rights in the face of his demands.
When Leiber and Stoller found themselves humiliated by these demands, they severed all ties with the world of Elvis, to carry on with their music without abuse. Unfortunately, Elvis couldn't do anything with this, because he didn't carry the commercial part and couldn't choose in many cases, but it is true that if he had prevailed before the Colonel, everything would have changed.
"Following the Path of the King..."
"The Magic between the Composer and the Performer"
MARK JAMES
Francis Rodney Zambon was the real name of Mark James. He was born in Houston, Texas in 1940.
American songwriter, creator of several hit songs for artists such as B.J. Thomas, Brenda Lee, and Elvis Presley. Among his most famous compositions, "Always on my mind" and "Suspicious Minds" stand out.
In 1967 Mark began working as a writer and producing his career was Chips Moman. Producer/publisher and engineer in Memphis, also co-owner of American Studios. He was a childhood friend of B.J. Thomas with whom he would later collaborate professionally.
In 1968 he recorded his own song "Suspicious Minds" himself. It was released as a single by Scepter Records. Scepter had Dionne Warwick, B.J. Thomas, and a gospel label. They loved the song and thought it was a hit. They released the single but it didn't happen.
He had the idea for "Suspicious Minds" and it came to him one night. "stuck in a trap, I can't get out cause I love you too much babe." What he was trying to say is that you can't live together or achieve your dreams if you're suspicious. If two people love each other, you cannot have doubts or suspicions.
The chorus reads: "We can't go on together with suspicious minds" "We're caught in a trap, I can't leave because I love you too much, baby."
American Studios was like Motown, that's where a lot of hit records came out. Elvis was going to record there and was shown the song "Suspicious Minds". Mark thought that in the voice of Elvis it would be a success and he was right.
When he first heard Elvis's recording of "Suspicious Minds," he loved it. Elvis got into the song and made it his own.
"Suspicious Minds" was number one in 27 countries. It is the number one song of all time by Elvis Presley.
That song and album reinvigorated Elvis as an artist and brought him newfound respect.
George Klein introduced her to Elvis when they were sitting on the couch outside the control room waiting between takes at American Studios before he recorded "Suspicious Minds."
Elvis called him and invited him to see him perform in Las Vegas. When he sang his song that night, he said, "We've got a great writer in the crowd tonight" and introduced the audience to him. His live performance of the song was fantastic. It was more than its author could ever have imagined.
After the show, Red West took him to the penthouse and Elvis was sitting across the room talking to Andy Williams and Sammy Davis Jr. He saw him and walked across the room to Mark and said, "How are you doing Mark, how have you been?" Did you have a good trip?" He treated you like a friend.
Felton Jarvis used to call him all the time. He'd get a call from Felton or Red West and they'd say, "Elvis needs a song." Elvis was always asking "Did Mark send me another song?"
But Mark moved to New York and he didn't know this because if he had known he would have written more songs for him.
In 1970 he wrote "It's Only Love." The song was written about a past love.
"It's Only Love" was sent to Elvis when Mark was in New York. Felton called him and sent him a copy. Elvis liked it and recorded it. It was released as a single. "It's Only Love" was a huge hit in Europe. Felton later sent it a platinum record.
He later wrote "Always On My Mind" with two of his friends, Wayne Carson and Johnny Christopher. They had started writing "Always On My Mind". They had a few verses and part of a chorus but they were stuck. He heard the potential of this melody and included a musical passage from one of his songs he was working on, complete with other lines developing the song. Later they recorded it and knew it would go to number one.
When Felton called him to get a song. He sent it to Elvis to listen to and eventually recorded it.
Although Mark knew it was a good version, he thought it was a bit fast for a ballad.
Elvis recorded a really great and memorable performance. It would be another success.
He later sent Elvis the demo for "Raised On Rock" and he loved it.
The song was about the birth of rock and roll and how some people thought it wouldn't last.
Elvis's version captured the rhythm and feel of the song. Elvis recorded it at Stax Studios in 1973.
"Moody Blue" was not written for Elvis. He was just trying to write a great song. The song is about a woman you're trying to get to know and she changes every day. "Sometimes it's hard to be a player betting on a number that changes every time. When you think you're going to win, she thinks she's giving up, a stranger is all you'll find."
"She's a complicated lady, so she colors my baby a moody blue."
Mark had recorded "Moody Blue" when Felton called him and said, "Mark, Elvis loves 'Moody Blue.' Are you making a record of this?" And he said yes, that's why they waited to record it.
Again Elvis would get a number thanks to a score by Mark James. The song fit Elvis and it would have been wonderful if they had collaborated more times, because the two understood each other musically.
Graceland was a house, not a recording studio, but they did a good production on the song.
"Moody Blue" was a number one record on the country charts while Elvis was still alive.
Felton called him before Elvis died and said, "Mark, Elvis has seven of your songs that he's going to include on his next album." He wanted to record "Disco Rider", "Who's Loving You", "Dream On Me", etc, but unfortunately he never got it.
For Mark James, Elvis was a free spirit and an artist second to none.
In 1983 Mark James won the Grammy Award for his song "Always on My Mind" which was covered by Willie Nelson and the Grammy for Best Country Song. In the UK, the Pet Shop Boys released a hit version of the song in 1987 which reached #1 on the UK charts and #4 on the US charts. In October 2015, James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Elvis worked magic with Mark James's sheet music, they both liked the same type of music and this was evident in their songs. Mark would have been a good choice to be his personal songwriter, but it was virtually impossible to bring this to life in time.
"Following the Path of the King..
Claude Demetrius. Elvis Presley
Claude Demetrius American composer. He was known for his rockabilly songs. His life changed when in 1956 he began writing for Gladys Music, Inc.
Newly formed by Jean and Julian Aberbach, the company held the exclusive publishing rights to the music of Elvis Presley. . He would begin to earn much more money due to the recordings that Elvis Presley would make of his songs. In 1958, Demetrius scored the biggest hit of all for him with his composition "Hard Headed Woman." The song became the first rock and roll single to earn gold record designation from the RIAA. Demetrius wrote it for Presley's 1958 film King Creole. Both songs were part of the record album, but "Hard Headed Woman" was also released as a 45 rpm single which went to number 1 on the Billboard charts. Working for Gladys Music, Demetrius co-wrote a song called "I Was The One " which was the B-side of Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel". In 1957 he also composed "Mean Woman Blues" for the soundtrack to Presley's 1957 film, Loving You. The Jerry Lee Lewis hit song "Great Balls of Fire" on London Records. Demetrius capped off a successful year when he co-wrote with Aaron Schroeder the song "Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)," which appeared on Elvis' 1957 Christmas album. A talented songwriter, too bad Elvis didn't use more songs to record.
"Following the King's Path..."
Aaron Schroeder . Composer
Aaron Schroder . Song composer. During his lifetime as a composer he created over 1,500 scores alone or in collaboration with other composers.
He became a member of ASCAP The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers in 1948. He would have his first hit with "At a Sidewalk Penny Arcade", with Rosemary Clooney.
He wrote seventeen songs for Elvis Presley, including five that reached number one. Tracks like "A Big Hunk o' Love", "Good Luck Charm", "I Got Stung", "Stuck on You", "It's Now or Never", etc.
With over 500 song recordings to his credit, he has been covered by dozens of artists including Roy Orbison, Duane Eddy, Sammy Davis, Jr., Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Pat Boone, etc.
In the early 1960s, Schroeder was the founder and president of Musicor Records. He discovered, managed, and directed the career of Gene Pitney and produced "Town Without Pity," which was nominated for the 1961 Academy Award for Best Song. With Hal David and Burt Bacharach he conceived the marriage of Pitney's sound to David's songs and Bacharach, producing a string of recording hits including "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "Only Love Can Break a Heart", and "24 Hours from Tulsa".
With his wife they discovered new artists, composers like Barry White, Randy Newman, Al Kooper, Jimi Hendrix, etc.
He would be one of the great composers who worked with Elvis, as well as knowing him and having the privilege of seeing him record. Aaron Schroeder said he was present when Elvis recorded the song "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)." He was very impressed with his attitude. His impression would be as for Elvis, that he wanted everything to work out.
He saw him focused and even sensitized to the point of tears in his eyes because, Elvis, he felt that he was striving for the result he had in mind.
Elvis and Aaron only met professionally, as a singer and songwriter, but the impression Aaron got was that Elvis was a very humble, shy person. But he also saw him as an artist very involved in his music, absolutely dedicated. He didn't seem like your typical star, he seemed easy going and natural.
He was an artist that was harder to write for, the reason being that Elvis played all styles, he could sing, country, blues, pop, etc. This made the composer want to put a bit of everything into each letter and this would take more time than with other artists.
Elvis recorded his music because he liked it, he knew what was right for him and he sang it. Other artists are not capable of knowing how to choose what may or may not work for them.
Elvis had a quality that was unique and special, his voice was different is what made him special, he sang from the soul and was unrepeatable, so when he was heard he was always recognized as unique and unrepeatable.
Ben Weisman, "The Mad Professor"
The Elvis Composers.
Although Elvis Presley had many composers who worked for him, he would not know all of them, but he would have a more special relationship with some of them like Ben Weisman.
Obviously the main reason would be that he had the opportunity to get to know him better, because
Ben Weisman, whom Elvis affectionately called "The Mad Professor", would be one of the composers who wrote the most scores for him. He was a classically trained pianist and composer, dedicating himself to popular music, he would go on to have great successes. It would be recorded by great artists like Barbar Streisand, Bobby Vee, The Beatles, Elvis, etc.
Of all the composers that Elvis Presley recorded, this would be the one that would record the most songs, 57. From 1956 to 1971 he would work as a songwriter for Elvis.
He served in World War II as an Air Force musician, later a composer for Hill and Range publishing house.
Most of his songs were recorded by Elvis at the time of the films, so Weisman had to agree to songs at the request of the script, sometimes absurd requests, demands. The particular thing about the demos that he recorded for Elvis would be that he used for them like Otis Black-well, Glen Campbell, Dorsey Burnette, Delaney Bramlett or P. J. Proby; the instrumentalists could be Sarah Vaughan, Ernest Tubb, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Phil Spector, James Burton, Hal Blaine, Leon Russell, Glen D. Hardin or Larry Knechell.
When they asked him to record for Elvis, he was not very convinced because he seemed to doubt his talent. But when he met him, he completely changed his opinion, because he saw in him an absolute professional, an absolute and brilliant musician, and they even became a particular friendship. Weisman collaborated with Fred Wise, Aaron Schroeder, and other composers of the day. He also created film music for Hollywood productions.
He composed around 400 songs, but they were recorded in more than 1,000 publications, selling more than 100 million copies.
Elvis invited him to the closing night of one of the shows he was doing in Las Vegas, after which he stayed for the party that was to be held. Elvis introduced him at the social where he proudly told everyone that he had recorded more songs with Ben than any other songwriter. It would be on a night out in Las Vegas, where he was applauded and then went with Elvis to the piano.
He hadn't seen him for a long time and he saw him with swollen eyes, he was thicker, then Elvis said to him:
'Ben, there's a song I love called 'Softly As I Leave You'. Elvis sang it with all his heart out and then said, 'This isn't a song about a guy leaving his girlfriend. It's a song about a man who's going to die.'
Ben would sense that trouble was brewing. As Elvis held onto his arm he felt his hand tremble through his tremble. That would be the last time he would see her.
After Elvis passed away, Ben composed "The Elvis Concert" to honor the memory of him with whom he had shared so many hits.
Ben would say of Elvis, that he would compose for him differently, because it defied his imagination. He would have to compose a combination of blues, country, rock and pop, also gospel or whatever. Elvis had a lot of spirit, he was transformative, rebellious, like a meteorite, someone who only shows up once every few hundred years. He felt very lucky to have been part of his Path, of his history.
"Following the Path of the King..."
Don Robertson
Composer
Don Robertson offered his publishers Jean and Julian Aberbach a song and they promised to record it.
When Robertson heard about Elvis Presley, he was still a young promise and he was really disappointed. He had been promised a great artist to record "I'm Counting On You" and Elvis still wasn't one.
He had never heard of it and thought it had an artificial name.
This song was included on his first RCA album. Don would change his mind seeing the result.
Elvis really liked his songs and in 1961 he wanted to meet him in person.
He invited her to Radio Recorders, the studio on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. TO
He and Elvis talked on a break between recordings, then Elvis walked up to the vocal mic and gave him a mischievous little smile and sang a parody of one of his songs.
Some of his songs were composed with Elvis's voice in mind, such as "Starting Today", "Love Me Tonight", etc.
Elvis especially liked his piano work on the demos he sent for his recordings and had his session pianist copy them for his songs.
Elvis and Robertson had similar vocal ranges, and Elvis was comfortable with the tone, phrasing, and arrangement of the scores. And Elvis also accepted suggestions and changes to the songs from Don, since he trusted him.
On many occasions they sang and played together, also with friends,
at Elvis' house in Bel Air. Since they got along very well and musically they had similar tastes.
They also made him the proposal to accompany recording sessions with Elvis.
Don Robertson would record on the soundtrack to "It Happened At The World's Fair".
As a person Don described Elvis as warm and surprisingly modest, an unassuming person considering his meteoric rise to fame. A masterful performer and recording artist and performer. He always liked Elvis's versions of all his songs. He was the perfection longed for as a composer in his scores.
Donald Irwin Robertson, was a pianist and composer born in Beijing in 1922. He began studying the piano at the age of four and composing simple songs around the age of seven. Upon arriving in the US, there was no piano at his school and he had to learn to play brass instruments, specializing in trombone and tenor horn, but he did not forget training him on piano as he played with local orchestras from dance in chicago He got a job as a music arranger at the WGN radio station, arranging for a trio.
He would later work for Capitol and subsequently signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. He composed, or co-composed with Hal Blair, many hits for other musicians, including Elvis Presley. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
A musician who would reach Elvis's heart with his scores.
"Following the Path of the King..."
ROY BENNETT AND SID TEPPER
Elvis Composers
Roy Bennett and Sid Tepper worked as composers for the publisher Aberbach Brothers, which was the music company, one of which had agreements to offer scores so that Elvis could make his recordings for new albums or for his movies.
When Elvis started making movies they needed writers who could write songs that would fit into their movies, into the script and they usually get the script so they can be inspired and create.
Tepper and Bennett usually received the scripts and like other composers they made songs for the same scenes in the film and Elvis had to choose between several composers to be able to perform the sung scene. This was a kind of competition for them, because they really couldn't know whether or not they were going to choose their scores against others.
In reality, they were well-known composers who had worked for famous singers like Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Sandy Williams, etc. They were already known for their songs before Rock and Roll came along, but they continued to make their songs and their way successfully.
Both of them wrote both the lyrics and the music and they didn't have a particular formula, they were quick in their work and their imagination, they were very prolific.
They made demonstrations to send them to California to RCA, once Freddy Bienstock had chosen songs, so that Colonel Parker would receive them, Elvis and the rest of the musicians did the same, they met to listen to them and choose the appropriate material for the film that they were doing
They wrote all kinds of songs, country, ballads, also songs with humor, lyrics with double entendres, they really went with the trends. Although they always confessed that Rock and Roll was not their style. But many of his songs were praised in the days of the Elvis movies.
There were also songs that they already had written that were included in their movies because they fit the script and Elvis liked them.
They were very peculiar composers, since they wrote the lyrics on the one hand and recorded singing the melody with a tape recorder, but they passed it on to an arranger at the publishing house who wrote the main score with the notes of the chords. To do the demonstrations they always hired some musicians and some singer who recorded but did not imitate Elvis. They knew that he did not like anything to be imitated and for this reason they did not try to make the singer do it like him. They only wanted Elvis to hear the melody and the song, then he was encouraged to record it, since he had perfect pitch it was very easy for him to start singing the song as if he had already done it several times. Normally Elvis liked the musical arrangements of his demos and used them, then he would tailor the song to his own style and his way of singing.
One of his songs would be nominated for an Academy Award, "It's A Wonderful World".
Of all the composers he worked with with Bennett and Tepper he chose over 40 songs, because they really knew how to do his job well and his compositions were perfectly suited to his film scripts.
They always felt that the songs in Elvis's movies were not appreciated at their true value, because there were really good songs and they have remained as a sample in his history. But they were undoubtedly two great composers who were successful before and after Elvis.
"Following the Path of the King..."
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson singer, writer and actor, had become a successful artist in the 70's with hit songs that would give him fame and introduce him as one of the best-known singers of the moment for his compositions such as "For the Good Times" , "Me and Bobby McGee", "Sunday Morning Coming Down", "Help Me Make It Through the Night", etc. Kristofferson has won three competitive Grammy Awards out of thirteen nominations. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Of him, Elvis would record this song and "For The Good Times" and "Help Me Make It Through The Night". When he heard Elvis for the first time, Kris was shocked, he could never have imagined that years later he would record his songs, so that he would feel honored and grateful, proud that his youthful idol could perform his compositions.
Jerry Chesnut Composer Elvis Presley
Jerry Donald Chesnut (May 7, 1931 - December 15, 2018) American country music songwriter . His hits include " Good Year for the Roses " recorded by Alan Jackson , George Jones and Elvis Costello and " T-R-O-U-B-L-E " recorded by Elvis Presley in 1975 and Travis Tritt in 1992.
In 1968, his song "Another Place, Another Time" recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1972, Chesnut was named Billboard's "Songwriter of the Year", and in 1992 he was named a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame .
"It's Midnight" was the first song Elvis recorded by Jerry. Billy Edd Wheeler writer also told him that he was writing a love song and was having trouble finishing it. He asked her to help him , he had a verse and part of the bridge. Together they finished the score.
Lamar Fike collaborated with Jerry Chesnut when Elvis wasn't touring. Lamar told him that Elvis was recording and wanted to hear some of his songs . Elvis picked three or four of his songs and "It's Midnight" was one of them. He called him that night and couldn't find the lyrics, so he gave him the lyrics over the phone.
Elvis recorded it and it would be released as a single. He performed the song masterfully. Jerry Chesnut really liked Elvis' version.
When he sang "It's Midnight" he put so much feeling into it he couldn't believe it. He fell in love with his singing and Elvis fell in love with his writing.
Every time he recorded he would say to Lamar, "Look what Jerry's got."
"Never Again" and "Love Coming Down" were recorded by Elvis at his Graceland home in February 1976, in the Jungle Room. He and his wife witnessed the first night of recording, he made "Never Again" and "Love Coming Down".
Elvis recorded these two songs and told her, "You've destroyed me," referring to the sensitivity the scores aroused in him. He said, "I think I need a good night's sleep. Guys, we'll pick this up tomorrow night."
The lyrics in a way could be associated with his love life and separation and the fact that he lost her and would never love that way again.
Elvis got into the role and lived the songs.
"Love Coming Down" was recorded by more artists , George Jones, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams Jr, Bobby Goldsboro, etc.
Billy Edd Wheeler called him to write a song , from this collaboration would come "Never Again ", which was sent to Elvis with "Love Coming Down" to Elvis for that last session of his and he did. For Jerry it was two great songs in Elvis' voice.
Elvis asked Lamar if Jerry had a song and Jerry demoed "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" and the demo would come out like crazy. They sent the demo to Elvis and he loved it, he wanted to record it.
Elvis said to Lamar, "Tell Jerry, that's a rock and roll standard." That made him feel really good.
It was released as a single at a time when Elvis wasn't selling many records and was in poor health. Also its release was not well promoted.
Travis Tritt later did a cover of this song that would be a hit, number 1video on VH1 Country.
The song "Woman Without Love "had lyrics that would please some but displease others, because of the story it tells in its score. It says that a man without love is only half a man, but a woman is nothing at all.
Jerry was not belittling a woman in the song, he meant that for women the most important thing is love and men can support several women and their work is enough for them.
Lamar played it for Elvis and he said he would love to record it. I told Lamar, "It went on his "Today" album.
When he met Elvis he thought he was a humble country boy, he wasn't thrilled with it. But he was very proud that Elvis had recorded Five of his songs.
He visited Graceland and loved it, Elvis gave him a TCB pendant which he treasured.
His songs pleased Elvis and it is quite possible that if he had recorded more he would have asked him for more sheet music, because he understood his music well.
"Following the Way of the King..."
Larry Gatlin Composer
Larry Gatlin author of two songs chosen by Elvis Presley for his recordings:
"Help me"
"Bitter They Are, Harper They Fall"
Larry Wayne Gatlin born on May 2, 1948. Singer and songwriter of country music. He also for being part of the Gatlin Brothers in the late 70's.
He has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles, alone or with his brothers. "Broken Lady'', ''All the Gold in California'', ''Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)'', ''She Used to Be Somebody's Baby'' and ''Talkin' to the Moon".
An admirer of Elvis since he was young, he considered him big and attractive.
He started writing some Gospel songs when he was told that
Roger Wiles had left the Imperials, Elvis's sideman group. He auditioned for baritone and was accepted to sing with Jimmy Dean, but he couldn't with Elvis.
While he continued composing in Nashville when Kris Kristofferson chose his song "Help me" for his record. He met Felton Jarvis and JD Sumner who told him that Elvis wanted to record that song.
It was a wonderful thing for him to go from Kris to Elvis. Who sang it with all feeling and on his knees.
"Bitter they fall..." It was a country ballad and Larry liked it. He tried to give it an attention-grabbing title and beginning:
"I told him to leave me alone and that's what he did." my cover of the Elvis song "Better They Are Hander They Fall" was on his first album, The Pilgrim.
Linda Thompson told him that she and Elvis used to sit and listen to her first album all the time. Elvis' version of "Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall" seemed incredible to him.
Larry sent him an Egyptian bracelet via Felton and Elvis put it on him on stage. Larry went to see him perform when Elvis introduced him to the audience as a young songwriter with a great song and dedicated it to him.
PÁGINA EN CRECIMIENTO
DISCULPAD LAS MOLESTIAS!