Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

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.

Bad Nauheim Medley
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Thomas P. Westendorf)

I'll take you home again Kathleen
Across the ocean wild
To where your heart has ever been
Since first you were my bonny bride
The roses all have left your cheek
I watch them fade away and die

Your voice is soft when you speak
And tears bedim your lovely eyes
Oh, I will take you home Kathleen
Across the ocean wild
And when the fields are soft and green
I will take you you home Kathleen

I Will Be True (Ivory Joe Hunter)
Somehow I feel
That someday we'll meet again
Don't ask me how
It's something I can't explain
Until the day
I give up all hope of you
Assure yourself this I'll do
I will be true

It's Been So Long Darling (Ernest Tubb)
It's been so long darling
Since I gazed into your eyes
It's been so long darling
But now I realize
'bout your love, not seeing you,
It hurts me through and through
It's been so long darling
Well, I'm coming back to you

Apron Strings (Weiss/Schroeder)
Tadadada ... ...
Tadadada
It's crazy I know
I dont wanna be tied to your Apron strings
I dont wanna be tied to your Apron strings

There's No Tomorrow (Hoffman - Corday - Carr)
There tatatatata

There's no tomorrow
When love isn't near

Overall Meaning

The Bad Nauheim Medley is a combination of five different songs recorded by Elvis Presley in Bad Nauheim, Germany in 1960. The medley consists of the following songs: "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" by Thomas P. Westendorf, "I Will Be True" by Ivory Joe Hunter, "It's Been So Long Darling" by Ernest Tubb, "Apron Strings" by Weiss/Schroeder, and "There's No Tomorrow" by Hoffman/Corday/Carr. Each song in the medley tells a different story.

"I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" is a song about taking his wife Kathleen back to her homeland. The lyrics talk about the romantic notion of going back to the place where they first fell in love. The roses fading from Kathleen's cheek and tears in her eyes suggest that time has passed and that their love is still strong.

"I Will Be True" talks about the hope of seeing someone again someday, and promising to remain true to them until that day comes. Elvis' rendition of this song adds a sense of longing and melancholy.

"It's Been So Long Darling" describes the pain of being away from someone for a long time and how it hurts deeply when their love is not seen. The lyrics indicate that the singer is returning to the person he loves, suggesting that he was away for some time.

"Apron Strings" takes a lighthearted turn, with Elvis singing about his desire to not be attached to anyone's apron strings. It's a playful and flirtatious song that contrasts with the more somber tone of the other songs in the medley.

Finally, "There's No Tomorrow" is a song about the fleeting nature of love. The lyrics suggest that when love is absent, there is no tomorrow, emphasizing how important love is in our lives.

Overall, the Bad Nauheim Medley is a diverse collection of songs that explores different facets of love and longing. The medley was recorded in 1960 during Elvis' time serving in the US Army in Germany.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Elvis Presley is telling Kathleen that he will take her home again across the ocean wild to where her heart wants to be since she was his bonny bride. Elvis Presley is observant and watches the roses fade away and die from Kathleen's cheek. Now, her voice is soft and tears bedim her lovely eyes. Elvis Presley re-assures Kathleen that he will take her home again when the fields are soft and green.

I Will Be True
Elvis Presley expresses the feeling that someday they will meet again. Even though he may not know how, he is convinced that it will happen. Elvis Presley is ready to give up anything and everything to be with his beloved. No matter what happens, he will be true to the one he loves.

It's Been So Long Darling
Elvis Presley expresses regret that it has been a long time since he last gazed into his darling's eyes. He finally realizes that their love is what he needs and he has missed out on being with his darling. He has been hurt not seeing his darling, it hurts him all over. Elvis Presley is ready to come back to his darling and make amends.

Apron Strings
Elvis Presley is unsure about being tied to his love's Apron Strings. He is not sure if he wants to be tied down and committed to her. The thought leaves Elvis Presley feeling somewhat crazy and uncertain.

There's No Tomorrow
Elvis Presley sings about how there is no tomorrow when love is not near. Love is essential to have a future and feel alive. Without love, there is no hope and tomorrow may not be guaranteed. Nothing is certain without love.

Contributed by Lucy V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS