OldiesButGoodies

Elvis Presley Rock & Roll

Elvis Presley – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

Elvis Presley - "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" {Remastered} (Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite)

Introduction:

In 1957, a young Elvis Presley released a ballad that would become one of his signature songs and a cornerstone of rock and roll history, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. While Presley would become synonymous with energetic rock and roll, this song showcased his versatility and his ability to deliver a powerful and emotional ballad.

Though often associated with Presley, the song was originally written by Hank Williams, a country music legend, in 1949. There is some debate about the exact inspiration for the song, with some sources suggesting it came from the title of another song Williams saw on a list. Regardless, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of loneliness and despair, emotions Presley would effectively channel in his performance.

Presley recorded the song at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee on January 10, 1957, with producer Sam Phillips. Phillips, who had already recognized Presley’s talent and potential, played a key role in shaping the sound of early Presley recordings. For “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Phillips assembled a band that included Presley on vocals and rhythm guitar, Scotty Moore on lead guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums. This lineup would become known as Presley’s core band for his early Sun recordings.

The recording session for “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” was reportedly energetic and spontaneous. Presley delivered a powerful vocal performance, imbuing the song with a raw emotion that resonated with listeners. The song’s instrumentation was simple yet effective, featuring Presley’s distinctive rhythm guitar playing alongside Moore’s mournful lead lines.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” was released as a single in January 1957, backed with “Milkcow Blues Boogie.” The song became a breakout hit, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard Top 100 chart and achieving No. 1 on the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart. This dual-chart success helped solidify Presley’s appeal across genres and audiences.

The song’s impact went beyond the charts. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is considered a landmark recording in the development of rock and roll. It showcased Presley’s unique blend of country music influences and rock and roll energy, a sound that would lay the foundation for the genre’s explosion in the late 1950s. The song’s influence can be heard in the work of countless rock and roll artists who followed Presley.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” remains a beloved classic. It has been covered by numerous artists throughout the years, a testament to the song’s enduring popularity and Presley’s lasting influence. The song continues to be recognized as a vital part of rock and roll history, and a powerful illustration of Presley’s unmatched talent.

Video:

https://youtu.be/itdSGRnjdFI?si=yTJmTJsmGswQDs8n

Lyrics:

I’d like to sing a song, that’s probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard, well, I guess
Hear that lonesome winter birdHe sounds too blue to flyThe midnight train is whining lowI’m so lonesome, I could cry
Did you ever see a robin weepWhen leaves began to die? (Oh, oh, oh)That means he’s lost the will to liveI’m so lonesome, I could cry
The silence of a falling starLights up a purple sky (oh, oh, oh)And as I wonder where you areI’m so lonesome, I could cryI’m so lonesome, I could cry
Okay, well, fantastic then, thank you

 

 

Related Post

Mortician Explains Elvis Presley’s Embalming, Funeral & Burial

What Happened To Bob Joyce At 74? Try Not To Gasp When You See It

“He Never Truly Got Over Losing Maurice.” Robin Gibb’s Final Words About His Brother Will Break Your Heart.

You Missed

Oldies Music

“AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES IN MUSIC, CLIFF RICHARD WAS NO LONGER THE TEENAGE IDOL BRITAIN ONCE KNEW — THEN A SONG CALLED ‘DEVIL WOMAN’ GAVE HIM SOMETHING HE HAD NEVER TRULY ACHIEVED BEFORE…” By 1976, Cliff Richard had already experienced a lifetime of fame. He had been Britain’s answer to Elvis Presley, starred in successful films, and recorded songs that defined an entire generation. But the music world had changed. The Beatles had transformed British pop, new artists were dominating the charts, and the young rock-and-roll rebel of 1958 was now a 35-year-old performer searching for his place in a different musical era. Then came “Devil Woman.” Written by Terry Britten and Christine Holmes, the mysterious, guitar-driven song sounded unlike many of Cliff’s earlier hits. It became one of the defining recordings of his career. In Britain, it reached No. 9. But the real surprise came across the Atlantic. “Devil Woman” climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cliff his first major breakthrough in the American pop market. After nearly twenty years of success at home, he was finally reaching a new generation of listeners in the United States. It was more than another hit record. It proved that a singer who had emerged in the 1950s could still sound fresh in the 1970s. Cliff Richard hadn’t simply survived changing musical fashions. With “Devil Woman,” he reminded the world that his story was far from over.

Oldies Music

“Shadow Dancing” Put Andy Gibb’s Name on the Record—and All Four Brothers Behind the Song. In 1978, “Shadow Dancing” reached number one in America under Andy Gibb’s name. Its songwriting credit told a wider family story: Andy, Barry, Robin, and Maurice had written it together. The collaboration took shape in Los Angeles while the older brothers were working on the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film. Andy was building a solo career, and this record gave that career another defining success. Barry also shared production duties with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson, connecting Andy’s recording to the studio team behind the Bee Gees’ recent hits. Yet Andy remained the featured singer, carrying the song in his own voice. “Shadow Dancing” became his third consecutive American number one and Billboard’s leading single of 1978. Behind that individual achievement sits a rare, concrete document of all four Gibb brothers working on the same composition.

Oldies Music

Weeks After “Massachusetts” Reached Number One, Robin Gibb Survived the Hither Green Train Disaster. On November 5, 1967, Robin Gibb and Molly Hullis were aboard a train that derailed near Hither Green in southeast London. Forty-nine people died. Robin was seventeen, and the Bee Gees had recently reached number one in Britain with “Massachusetts,” a record carried by his unmistakable lead vocal. Within weeks, the young singer had experienced international recognition and a disaster in which fame offered no protection. Robin and Molly survived; they married the following year. The chronology gives this episode its force without requiring invented thoughts or dramatic embellishment. His public story was accelerating through records, television appearances, and growing attention, while his private life had encountered sudden catastrophe. Keeping those histories together reveals the vulnerability behind the photographs: a teenager whose voice was becoming familiar to millions had just survived a journey that killed dozens of fellow passengers.

Oldies Music

“IN 1968, CLIFF RICHARD WALKED ONTO THE EUROVISION STAGE WITH A SONG BRITAIN BELIEVED COULD WIN — BUT WHEN THE FINAL VOTES WERE COUNTED, JUST ONE POINT STOOD BETWEEN HIM AND VICTORY…” On April 6, 1968, Cliff Richard stepped onto the Eurovision stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall. He was already one of Britain’s biggest stars, and expectations were enormous. His song was called “Congratulations.” Bright, cheerful, and instantly memorable, it seemed perfectly suited to a contest watched by millions across Europe. But as the voting unfolded, the competition became painfully close. Britain and Spain were fighting for the top position. When the final scores were announced, Spain’s Massiel had won with 29 points. Cliff Richard finished second with 28. Just one point. For a singer accustomed to topping the British charts, it was a disappointing result on one of Europe’s biggest stages. Yet the story didn’t end with the scoreboard. “Congratulations” went on to reach No. 1 in the United Kingdom and became one of Cliff’s most recognizable recordings. Decades later, its melody remains associated with birthdays, anniversaries, and countless celebrations. There is something wonderfully ironic about that Eurovision night. The song called “Congratulations” didn’t win the contest. But it earned a place in popular culture that outlasted the disappointment of finishing second. Cliff Richard lost Eurovision by one point — yet more than half a century later, millions still remember the song.