Legendary and eternally alive, like Grandpa Lenin, the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis Presley made his debut as a film actor in the film Love Me Tender, which was released in 1956.
Let’s not talk about the artistic value of this western. Suffice it to say that IMDb readers gave it less than a six out of ten. We are more interested in the song of the same name written especially for the film.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Love Me Tender
The music for Love Me Tender was taken from the sentimental ballad Aura Lee composed by George Poulton and William Fosdick back in 1861. The most famous version of it is performed by Francis Farmer and a male choir in the 1936 film Come and Get It.
Ken Darby adapted the melody and almost completely wrote the text, although his wife Vera Matson and Presley are officially the authors of Love Me Tender. When asked why he credited his wife as co-writer, Ken replied, “Because she didn’t write it either,” a clear hint at the extent of Elvis’ involvement in the song’s creation.
Release and achievements
Presley sang Love Me Tender for the first time on September 9, 1956 on The Ed Sullivan Show and audiences instantly fell in love with her. The very next day, RCA Records received over a million pre-orders. 20th Century Fox responded to the track’s popularity by changing the film’s title from the original The Reno Brothers to Love Me Tender.
Already in early November of the same year, Love Me Tender rose to first place on the Billboard chart and stayed on it for five weeks. It is included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Interesting Facts
- Love Me Tender is the first hit in the history of music to go gold even before the single went on sale.
- Presley has another adaptation of the Aura Lee ballad. This is a short song by Violet (Flower of NYU) released after his death.
Elvis Presley Love Me Tender Lyrics
Love me tender
Love me sweet
Never let me go
You have made my life complete,
And I love you so
Love me tender
Love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darlin’ I love you
And I always will
Love me tender
Love me long
Take me to your heart
For it’s there that I belong,
And we’ll never part
Love me tender
love me dear,
tell me you are mine
I’ll be yours through all the years,
Till the end of time
When at last my dreams come true
Darling this I know
Happiness will follow you
Everywhere you go
Elvis Presley Lyrics Love Me Tender
Love me Tender,
love me tenderly
Never let Me Go
Thanks to you my life is perfect
And I love you so
Love me Tender,
love me for real
All my dreams have come true
Cause darling I love you
And I will always love
Love me Tender,
love me long
Let me into your heart
Because that’s where I belong
And we’ll never be apart
Love me Tender,
Love me willingly
Tell me that you are mine
I will always be yours
Until the end of time
When at last my dreams came true
Darling I know
Happiness will always be with you
Wherever you are
