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.
For the Good Times
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said they're movin' to L.A.
There's not a soul I know around
Everybody's leavin' town
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Found the sunshine lead the rain
They said this town will waste your time
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
You know my heart keeps tellin' me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
Play around you'll lose your wife
Play too long you'll lose your life
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
In Elvis Presley's song "For The Good Times," the singer is lamenting the fact that everyone he knows is leaving town, presumably for Los Angeles. The singer is alone and feels as though his own life is going nowhere, but he is aware that some people will succeed (win) and others will not (lose). The song's chorus focuses on "Good Time Charlie," a character who seems to have lost his way due to his love of pleasure and fun. The singer warns that if one plays around too much, they will lose everything that is important to them, just as Good Time Charlie has lost his way.
The song speaks to a common human experience of feeling left behind and alone while others seem to be living their lives to the fullest. The lyrics suggest that it's easy to become distracted by the pursuit of pleasure and that we should be careful not to lose sight of what matters most in life. The phrase "some gotta win, some gotta lose" is particularly poignant, as it acknowledges that not everyone will achieve their dreams and that life is not always fair.
Overall, "For The Good Times" is a powerful and emotionally resonant song that encapsulates the struggles and challenges of everyday life. It's a timeless classic that continues to speak to audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's gone away
Everyone has left and gone away
Said they're movin' to L.A.
They said they were moving to Los Angeles
There's not a soul I know around
There is no one around that I know
Everybody's leavin' town
Everyone is leaving this town
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Some left by train, some left by plane
Found the sunshine lead the rain
They found better opportunities elsewhere
They said this town will waste your time
They said this town is not worth your time
I guess they're right, it's wasting mine
I guess they are right, it's also wasting my time
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Some people will succeed, some people will fail
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
You know my heart keeps tellin' me
My heart keeps reminding me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
You are not young anymore at thirty-three
Play around you'll lose your wife
If you fool around, you'll lose your wife
Play too long you'll lose your life
If you play for too long, you'll lose your life
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Some people will succeed, some people will fail
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, who used to have a good time, is now feeling depressed
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Danny O'Keefe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Яна Василевская
Элвис это лучшее что случилось с миром музыки во все времена ❤
Carol Cole
No matter what song he sings ,he makes it his own.
Nicholas Wright
Hello Carol
Tempey Cooper
Elvis's voice was a gift from God!! <3
FancyTruth
Too bad he sold his soul to satan for fame. JESUS IS KING AND LORD OF LORDS.
Dixie Burden
Elvis had such incredible talent. His music brings back memories of the best times in my life... he left us way too soon, still...and brings tears to my eyes. I am so thankful he was in my life for the good times...so handsome, too...I love watching him on stage as he was even now, and I am 76! No one compared to Elvis...then and now!!! He will be Forever in my heart...
Nicholas Wright
Hello Dixie
Dainty Girl
I love the voice, i love the melody, this is my best version of elvis love it😘
Sheila North
What a gorgeous man, and voice he just melts my heart when he sings. will love him forever. 💜
Ray Cooke
Grew up listening to the King. First record I ever bought was Heartbreak Hotel in 1958. I remember playing it over and over when I got it home until my mother threatened to smash it!!! Give anything to bring those years back now I’m heading for 80!!!