Introduction:
Trying To Get To You isn’t one of Elvis Presley’s most well-known songs, but it holds a significant place in his early career and the development of Rock and Roll. Released in 1954, though not finding commercial success until 1956, the track serves as a bridge between the doo-wop and rhythm and blues influences that informed early Rock and Roll and the energized sound Presley would soon make his signature.
Originally written by Dorothy LaBostre and Doc Pomus, Trying To Get To You was first recorded by The Eagles, a vocal group out of Washington D.C., in 1954. Their version leaned towards a doo-wop style, with smooth vocals and a mellow backing track. Presley’s rendition, however, brought a whole new energy to the song. Recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis during his first session for the label in 1954, it featured a driving rhythm section with Presley’s now-iconic vocals soaring over the top. Producer Sam Phillips, who is credited with discovering Presley, recognized the potential in the young singer and the song’s ability to showcase his talents. While not officially released at the time, it became a staple of Presley’s live performances, building anticipation among his growing fanbase.
Trying To Get To You‘s official release came in 1956, not by Sun but by RCA Victor, the major label Presley signed with after his breakout success in 1955. Capitalizing on Presley’s burgeoning stardom, RCA included the song on his self-titled debut album. Elvis Presley, released in March of 1956, became a cultural phenomenon, topping the Billboard charts and selling over a million copies within a few months. Trying To Get To You, along with other hits like “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog,” cemented Presley’s status as a rock and roll icon. The song itself reached number one on the Billboard Top 100 chart and remained there for seven weeks, showcasing the electrifying effect Presley had on audiences.
Trying To Get To You may not be remembered with the same reverence as some of Presley’s later hits, but its impact is undeniable. The song demonstrated the raw talent and charisma that would propel Presley to superstardom and forever change the face of popular music. It captured the essence of early Rock and Roll, fusing the soulful sounds of rhythm and blues with the infectious energy of rockabilly. Trying To Get To You is a vital piece of Presley’s legacy and a reminder of the spark that ignited the Rock and Roll revolution.
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Lyrics:
I’ve been traveling over milesEven through the valleys, tooI’ve been traveling night and dayI’ve been running all the wayBaby, trying to get to youEver since I read your letterWhere you said you loved me trueI’ve been traveling night and dayI’ve been running all the waybaby, trying to get to youWhen I read your loving letterThen my heart began to singThere were many miles between usBut they didn’t mean a thingI just had to reach you, babyIn spite of all that I’ve been throughI kept traveling night and dayI kept running all the wayBaby, trying to get to youWell if I had to do it overthat’s exactly what Id doI would travel night and dayAnd Id still run all the wayBaby, trying to get to youWell, there’s nothing that could hold meOr that could keep me away from youWhen your loving letter told meThat you really loved me trueLord above me knows I love youIt was He who brought me throughWhen my way was darkest nightHe would shine His brightest lightWhen I was trying to get to you