Introduction:
“Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” is a song recorded by Elvis Presley on August 8, 1960, at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood, California. The track was composed by Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, and Jack Lloyd and was initially meant for the soundtrack of Presley’s film Flaming Star but did not appear in the final cut of the movie. Despite this, it was later included on the Elvis For Everyone compilation album, which was released in 1965.
The film Flaming Star, directed by Don Siegel, features Elvis in a rare dramatic role, playing a character of mixed heritage in the American West, caught between two cultural identities. This movie had limited musical content compared to other Elvis films, which reflected a shift in his career at that time. The song “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” represents a melancholic theme, contrasting warm memories of love with the cold realization of loss and the passage of time. It features Elvis’s signature vocal style, backed by musicians such as Howard Roberts on guitar and The Jordanaires providing vocal harmonies.
Despite being omitted from the Flaming Star soundtrack, “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” has endured as a memorable piece in Elvis’s catalog, showcasing his versatility as a performer beyond his well-known rock and roll hits. The haunting quality of the song remains a favorite among fans, illustrating the emotional depth Elvis could bring to ballads alongside his charismatic stage presence.