Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
His Latest Flame
Elvis Presley Lyrics
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'Cause he was telling everyone in town
Of the love that he just found
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
He talked and talked and I heard him say
That she had the longest blackest hair
The prettiest green eyes anywhere
Though I smiled the tears inside were a-burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone, but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry?
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She'd be mine eternally?
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
Though I smiled the tears inside were a-burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone, but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry?
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She'd be mine eternally?
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
Yeah, Marie's the name of his latest flame
Oh, Marie's the name of his latest flame
Oh, Marie's the name
Elvis Presley's "His Latest Flame" is a song about a man who runs into an old friend who has fallen madly in love with a woman named Marie, the friend then proceeds to share all the intricacies of this love affair to the singer. The singer is forced to confront the harsh reality that Marie, who was in his arms just the other day, is now the love of his friend's life. The verses are sung from the singer's point of view, as he struggles to keep his composure while aching from the inside at the news of his friend's latest love interest.
The song's theme is built around the personification of said latest flame, Marie, who remains at the center focus of the lyrics. The singer is broken by the news, but he tries not to show his feelings. He may be smiling, but deep down he is sorrowful. The repetition of the phrase "Marie's the name of his latest flame" serves as a reminder to him that his love interest is now someone else's latest flame. In summary, the theme of the song can be interpreted as the bitter realization of losing someone you love deeply to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
A very old friend came by today
An acquaintance I know for a long time visited me today.
'Cause he was telling everyone in town
He was spreading the news about his new love interest throughout the town.
Of the love that he just found
He shared about the new love he has found.
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
The name of his new love interest is Marie.
He talked and talked and I heard him say
He spoke continuously and I overheard him say.
That she had the longest blackest hair
He mentioned that she has long black hair.
The prettiest green eyes anywhere
He described her having the most good-looking green eyes.
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
Again, he confirmed that the woman he talked about is named Marie.
Though I smiled the tears inside were a-burning
Although I put on a brave face, I was feeling the pain of heartbreak.
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
I wished him good luck and he left after saying goodbye.
He was gone, but still his words kept returning
Although he left, his words and the memory of him talking about Marie kept repeating in my mind.
What else was there for me to do but cry?
I was left overwhelmed with emotions and could do nothing else but cry.
Would you believe that yesterday
Can you imagine that it was only yesterday?
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She was in my embrace and promised me.
She'd be mine eternally?
That she will be mine forever.
And Marie's the name of his latest flame
Once more, he mentioned that Marie is the new love interest.
Yeah, Marie's the name of his latest flame
He affirms for the last time that Marie is the person he was talking about earlier.
Oh, Marie's the name of his latest flame
He confirms it again with an expression of surprise or astonishment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SANTIAGO636
I'm a black guy from Memphis and Elvis is our Hero...He sounded like nobody...and I mean....Nobody.
@Nanasrollypolly
I respect you,I love elvis
@michaelcraig9449
He was awesome!
@neilurquhart8622
Marie was my ‘First love’ and at 80 she’s still in my thoughts. This song always takes me back to the time we were together in the 60’s…..probably my favourite Elvis song. From Cambridge UK🇬🇧
@lukeypup95productions53
Happy heavenly birthday, Elvis Presley. The undisputed King of Rock and Roll. Would've been 89 today. So, to celebrate, I'm listening to his greatest hits.
@Nanasrollypolly
Elvis would’ve been 89 this year,rock on Elvis!
@bettycunicelli8552
Elvis said his biggest fear was that he'd be forgotten. Well.....king, you were never forgotten...you just got better and better. Rest in peace you handsome talented man!!!!!
@tonyquintero2152
Some people dont like Elvis,some did not like Jesus,two great right there.
@JamesAlee-no9tq
"And Marie's the name of his Greatest Hit!"
@mariahewitt1841
2 minutes and 8 seconds of musical perfection. Elvis is immortal and his music will live forever.