Introduction:
While not one of his most commercially successful songs, This Is Living, released in 1962, holds a special place in the vast catalog of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. The song is a prime example of the electrifying sound that propelled Presley to superstardom in the late 1950s.
This Is Living originated from the 1962 musical film Kid Galahad, a remake of a 1937 film noir. Presley starred in Kid Galahad as Walter Kahana, a young man who escapes a reform school and ends up in the world of professional boxing. The film featured musical numbers throughout, and This Is Living served as a key song for Presley’s character. It was produced by RCA Victor, the record label that had launched Presley’s meteoric rise to fame just a few years prior.
While This Is Living wasn’t released as a single, it did find its way onto Presley’s 1971 compilation album, also titled Elvis Presley. The song remains a favorite among many Presley fans and music critics, lauded for its energetic performance and its encapsulation of the youthful exuberance that characterized Presley’s early rock and roll era.
This Is Living doesn’t rely on complex lyrics or intricate instrumentation. The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity and infectious energy. Presley’s vocals are powerful and charismatic, as he delivers lines about the thrill of life and the joy of following one’s dreams. The driving rhythm section, highlighted by a prominent bass line and steady drumming, keeps the listener engaged throughout. Simple piano flourishes and backing vocals by The Jordanaires add texture and depth to the soundscape.
This Is Living may not have topped the charts, but it serves as a potent reminder of the raw talent and charisma that made Elvis Presley a rock and roll legend. The song is a testament to his ability to deliver high-octane performances that resonated with audiences and helped shape the course of popular music.
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Lyrics:
This is living, full of fun and freeThis is living, that’s the life for meIt’s good to laugh and sing, don’t worry about a thingWear a happy smile, cut loose and run a mileIf you relax and just enjoy it all, life has got to be a ballThis is living, full of fun and freeThis is living, that’s the life for meIt wouldn’t mean a thingIf I could be a kingI really wouldn’t careTo be a millionaireI’d rather find someone to love a lotLive and give it all I’ve gotThis is living, full of fun and freeThis is living, that’s the life for meDon’t want to settle downI gotta move aroundI gotta lot of timeI’m gonna wait and findThe kinda girl who’s heart is restless tooThe kind who feels the way I doThis is living, full of fun and freeThis is living, that’s the life for me