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.
Doin' the Best I Can
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave my love
Oh ho, my darling
I am true
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
So hard to please
Oh ho, my darling
What more can I do
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
You know I was the kind who'd run
Any time you'd call
I guess I was the only one
Who didn't mind at all
I'll be a dreamer
I'll be a fool
Oh ho, my darling
My whole life through
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
You know I was the kind who'd run
Any time you'd call
I guess I was the only one
Who didn't mind at all
I'll be a dreamer
I'll be a fool
Oh ho, my darling
My whole life through
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
But it's not good enough for you
The lyrics to Elvis Presley's song Doin' The Best I Can express the feelings of a lover who has given their all, but it still falls short. The singer has given their heart and their love and is doing the best they can, but their efforts are not enough for the person they love. They have tried so hard to please, but they feel like they can never measure up to their lover's expectations.
The lyrics also show how the singer is willing to sacrifice their own happiness and identity for the person they love. They are willing to be a dreamer and a fool, dedicating their whole life to the person they love, even if it means giving up their own desires and goals.
Overall, the lyrics portray the pain and frustration of trying to make a relationship work when one person's efforts are not enough for the other.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave my heart
I put my heart into loving you
I gave my love
I gave you all the love that I had to give
Oh ho, my darling
My dear, my love
I am true
I am faithful and sincere
Doin' the best
I am trying my hardest
The best I can
I am doing all that I can
But it's not good enough for you
But my efforts are not satisfying you
I tried so hard
I put in a lot of effort
So hard to please
I found it difficult to make you happy
What more can I do
I don't know how else to satisfy you
You know I was the kind who'd run
You know I would always be there for you
Any time you'd call
Whenever you needed me, I was there
I guess I was the only one
I think I was the only one who was always available for you
Who didn't mind at all
I didn't mind dropping everything to be with you
I'll be a dreamer
I will always have dreams and aspirations
I'll be a fool
I will do things that others may consider foolish
My whole life through
For the duration of my life
But it's not good enough for you
But my efforts are not pleasing you
Lyrics © Raleigh Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOC POMUS, MORT SHUMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
I gave my heart
I gave my love
Oh ho, my darling
I am true
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
I tried so hard
So hard to please
Oh ho, my darling
What more can I do
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you
[2x:]
You know I was the kind who'd run
Any time you'd call
I guess I was the only one
Who didn't mind at all
I'll be a dreamer
I'll be a fool
Oh ho, my darling
My whole life through
Doin' the best
The best I can
But it's not good enough for you [3x]
Carol Philp
His voice was unbelievable he was the complete package
Wildlife - 🐘🦁
Yes, even in an army uniform and with short hair, no sideburns, he is still so handsome and charming! Wonderful man sent to earth as a gift. And not too mention that voice! 🤗🥇
dbiggie112
What a tremendous voice. One of a kind really and can never be matched. All of America lost something beautiful when he passed. RIP Elvis
Joe Giardina
Agree outstanding 🇺🇸and he was a patriotic man 💪
Nigel Dyson
All of the World.
Kit Kat
Yes - and all of the world!
Yooklin
EP's voice is matchless, incomparable! Truly the best among the best. Timeless.
Tromboner C
One of Elvis' underrated songs. Beautiful, with a more involved chord structure than most of his songs. Makes for great harmony... A real winner.
Liz Music soothes the soul.
This man was sooooooo beautiful. Gosh if you don't feel him in your heart when he sings, you have issues.
lucia weber
@Nur iza gone but never forgotten