Introduction:
Unlike some of his earlier, chart-topping hits, Love Coming Down by Elvis Presley wasn’t a single that dominated the radio waves. Released in 1976, the song instead offers a glimpse into a different side of Presley’s career.
By 1 976, Elvis Presley was already a solidified music legend. Decades of iconic performances and a string of mega-hits had made him the King of Rock and Roll. However, the musical landscape had shifted dramatically since his meteoric rise in the 1950s. New genres and artists had emerged, and Presley, determined to stay relevant, began to incorporate new sounds and styles into his music.
Love Coming Down was recorded during this transitional period. It wasn’t included on one of Presley’s major studio albums, but rather appeared on From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, a compilation album released in 1976. The song itself was produced by Felton Jarvis, a longtime collaborator who had worked with Presley on numerous recordings throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Love Coming Down leans more towards the gospel and soul influences that had always been present in Presley’s music, alongside the rock and roll for which he was famous. The song features a powerful vocal performance by Presley, backed by soulful backing singers and a driving rhythm section. While not a commercial smash, Love Coming Down showcases the versatility and emotional depth that Elvis Presley brought to his music throughout his career.
The song is particularly notable for being recorded at Graceland’s Jungle Room, a unique space within Presley’s Memphis mansion that he had converted into a recording studio. The Jungle Room recordings, made between 1975 and 1977, represent a distinct chapter in Presley’s career, characterized by a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Many fans consider these recordings to be some of Presley’s most raw and authentic performances.
Love Coming Down may not be one of Elvis Presley’s most famous songs, but it serves as a valuable reminder of his enduring talent and willingness to explore new musical directions. The song offers a glimpse into a later era of Presley’s career, where he continued to captivate audiences with his powerful vocals and undeniably charismatic presence.
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Lyrics:
I remember how your eyes used to light upOver promises that I madeBut for the first time in my lifeI know now how it feels to be afraidI don’t know what I’d do if you go awayThis would sure be one lonely old townFor a man’s so busy going up in the worldThat he couldn’t see love coming downLove coming downI remember all the times you told meLove’s all that matters to youAnd looking back now, wondering how I believedI had things more important to doI can see how I must have looked to youLike some fool on a merry-go-roundAnd that a man’s so busy going up in the worldThat he couldn’t see love going downLove going downCan’t you see how everything I’ve learnedWould just be wasted if you leave meIf you just give one more tryI swear I’ll always be here when you need meIf you can find it in your heart to forgive meI’ll try to keep both my feet on the groundBut if a man’s so busy going up in the worldThat he couldn’t see love coming downLove coming down