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.
Drums of the Islands
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're with me no matter where I roam
If ever I wander if ever we're apart
I know that you will lead me home
If I should journey across the deep blue sea
I'll never forget these coral shores
Drums of the islands I hear you calling me
And I'll return forever yours
The flowers the music of the isles
These are the things I love and always will
Though I may roam ten thousand miles
The song "Drums of the Islands" by Elvis Presley is a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to the beauty and allure of the South Pacific islands. Through passionate lyrics and a catchy melody, Presley captures the essence of the islands and the way that they can capture one's heart and soul. The core of the song is the idea that the "drums of the islands" are beating within his heart, no matter where he goes or what he does. It's a powerful metaphor that speaks to the way that travel can change us and imprint us with the beauty of the world around us.
This theme is woven throughout the song, with Presley musing on how he'll never forget the coral shores, the valleys and hills, the music and flowers of the South Pacific. He is a wanderer, traveling across the deep blue sea, but he's aware that the drums of the islands are always with him, calling him back home. It's a romantic and poetic tribute to the transformative power of travel, and the way that it can connect us to a world that's full of wonder and beauty.
Overall, "Drums of the Islands" is a lush and romantic ballad that showcases Presley's talent for crafting emotionally resonant songs with incredible depth and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Drums of the islands you're beating in my heart
The music and rhythm of the islands have touched me deeply and become an integral part of who I am.
You're with me no matter where I roam
Even when I am far away from the islands, their spirit and culture are always with me.
If ever I wander if ever we're apart
If I ever lose my way, or if I am separated from the islands, I know that their influence will guide me back.
I know that you will lead me home
The islands are my true home, and I feel a deep connection to them that cannot be broken.
If I should journey across the deep blue sea
Even if I travel far away from the islands, I will always remember and cherish them.
I'll never forget these coral shores
The natural beauty of the islands, including their coral reefs, is something that is forever etched in my mind and heart.
Drums of the islands I hear you calling me
The music of the islands is like a siren's call, drawing me back to their shores and their way of life.
And I'll return forever yours
No matter where I go, or what I do, the islands will always have a special place in my heart and I will remain loyal to them.
I love each valley each grain of sand each hill
Every aspect of the islands, from the mountains to the beaches, is something that I treasure and hold dear to my heart.
The flowers the music of the isles
The islands are not just a physical place, but also a cultural and artistic hub, with music and natural beauty that are unmatched.
These are the things I love and always will
The love that I have for the islands is eternal and unwavering, and will stay with me no matter where life takes me.
Though I may roam ten thousand miles
Even if I travel vast distances, my heart will always be tied to the islands and their culture.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROY C. BENNETT, SID TEPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ni6cw8og2f
I have been an Elvis Fan I was 3 and half years old and I am now 71 and still am a massive fan. 😂
@barryrudge1576
This must be the most visual impacting film that Elvis ever made, the colour, scenery and extras together with the songs make this about the best film he ever made with GI blues running a close second. You look at all those beautiful young people in the film have now grown old and even those children will now be in their sixties. When you think about it this film was made over 60 yrs ago.
@shelleygeraghty6113
Blue hawaii was the best movie he made
@catdowney7422
It actually still looks like this the last time I saw The Polynesian Center. I grew up in Oahu as a child and loved visiting this with Friends and Family.
@jackylewisoconner4368
Da krieg ich Tränen in den Augen wenn ich sowas Schönes sehe und den Dreck von heute höre ! Danke lieber Elvis und danke Gott ....
@janicecanfield9211
I'm 70, have loved Elvis for what, 60 years ?
I went to Hawai'i in 1992 and could feel Elvis energy there.
@christinareynolds2368
My dad and my uncle are Elvis fans and my parents got married on Elvis birthday and now I like some of his music and movies
@marshacurtis4814
I love Elvis Presley l went to Graceland 32years ago, play his music everyday xxx
@cynthiakane9256
What A Great Presentation . * Of Hawaii , Thank You Elvis And The People Of The Hawaiian Islands . * Beautiful Tropical Paradise . * When Life Was Fun * And Exciting . * Pure And Simple . *
@TheKL105
They are all the different people and culture of the Pacific Islands .. Hawaii Fiji Samoa Rarotonga Tonga Aotearoa just to name a few but it's great to see Elvis perform and relax and enjoy himself in this movie 🌴☀️🤙