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.
Fame and Fortune
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How empty they can be
But when I hold you in my arms
That's heaven to me
Who cares for fame and fortune?
They're only passing things
But the touch of your lips on mine
Your kind of love
Is a treasure I hold
It's so much greater
Than silver or gold
I know that I have nothing
If you should go away
But to know that you love me
Brings fame and fortune my way
But to know that you love me
Brings fame and fortune my way
The song Fame and Fortune by Elvis Presley is a heartfelt tribute to the true value of love over material possessions. In the opening lines, Elvis reflects on the transient nature of fame and fortune, and how empty they can truly be. He emphasizes that holding his love in his arms is the true measure of happiness and contentment, the real heaven he searches for.
The chorus of the song is an ode to his beloved, expressing that it is the touch of her lips on his that makes him feel like a king, a feeling that is far more valuable and lasting than social status or money. Elvis recognizes that his love's affection is a treasure that he holds, one that is worth more than silver or gold. He fully admits that without her, he has nothing, but with her love, he feels he has all the fame and fortune he could ever need.
Overall, the song Fame and Fortune is a touching tribute to the value of love, which stands the test of time and endures through all kinds of worldly trials and tribulations.
Line by Line Meaning
Fame and fortune
The idea of being famous and wealthy.
How empty they can be
These things lack substance and meaning.
But when I hold you in my arms
The sensation of your physical embrace is the most valuable thing to me.
That's heaven to me
It brings me unparalleled joy and pleasure.
Who cares for fame and fortune?
What is the point of valuing society's perceptions when they are transitory?
They're only passing things
These concepts are finite and fleeting.
But the touch of your lips on mine
Physical intimacy with you is the most significant thing to me.
Makes me feel like a king
It fills me with confidence and self-importance.
Your kind of love
The affection you display towards me.
Is a treasure I hold
It holds immeasurable value to me.
It's so much greater
It surpasses in significance.
Than silver or gold
Precious metals cannot compare to the worth of your love.
I know that I have nothing
If you were gone, all of my possessions would be of little importance.
If you should go away
If you were to leave me.
But to know that you love me
To be certain of your affection towards me.
Brings fame and fortune my way
This fills me with pride and contentment more than any material possession ever can.
But to know that you love me
To be certain of your affection towards me.
Brings fame and fortune my way
This fills me with pride and contentment more than any material possession ever can.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FRED WISE, BENJAMIN WEISMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fely Daguio
He is one of a kind!!! None compares!!! He is the best!!! No one sings like Elvis!!!
Greg Boardman Band
No one but Elvis
Sheila North
Awesome gorgeous ELVIS his voice is just wonderful. Strong and emotional he will live in my heart forever. I am 79 and will love him till the end of time.X💖
Marcos Bryant
What do you admire most about Elvis
Glenn Piticco
I hear ya…I share your passion!!!
Greg Boardman Band
Elvis did it. I have my own Fame and Fortune song. Not as good as his.
Elsa Lopez
I love this song!!! But most of all I love Elvis Presley!!! He was and will always be" The Best"!!! ❤️🎶❤️
Tony's Lawn Care ® (TLC)
E = EXTRAORDINARY
L = LEGEND
V = VOCALLY PERFECT
I = ICON
S = SUPERSTAR 👑
Dale Morris
Well said!
Glenn Piticco
That’s brilliant…couldn’t have said that better myself!!