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.
Gospel Medley
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation so
Now wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from gods own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
Where could I go but to the lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
Up above my head there is music in the air
Up above my head there is music in the air
Up above my head there is music in the air, oh yeah!
And I really do believe, I really do believe
I really do believe there's a heaven somewhere
There's a heaven somewhere
I wanna soothe my my heart, I wanna ease my mind
I wanna move my shoes and see what I can find
I wanna stand up tall and open up my eyes
I wanna reach out my hand until I touch the skies
I was a poor lost lamb in a deep dark hole
But now I've found that light I'm gonna save my soul
I used to drink, I used to smoke
I used to smoke, drink and dance the hoochy-coo
I used to smoke and drink, smoke and drink and dance
The hoochy-coo
Oh yeh! and now I'm standing on thius corner praying for
Me and you
I-i-i that's why I'm saved I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
You know I'm saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
I used to cuss, I used to fuss
I used to fuss, cuss, worry all night long
I used to cuss and fuss, cuss and fuss,
Cuss and fuss and worry all night long
Well now I'm standing on this corner, I know right from
Wrong
I-i-i that's why I'm saved I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
You know I'm saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
I used to lie, I used to cheat
I used to lie, cheat, steal from peoples feet
I used to lie and cheat, lie and cheat and steal from
Peoples feet
Well now I'm steppin on to glory salvation in my beat
Because I'm saved, I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
I am saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
Oh yeh! because I'm saved, I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
You know I'm saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
I'm saved, I'm saved I'm saved
Elvis Presley's Gospel Medley is a powerful testament to his faith and his belief that only the Lord can offer true refuge for the soul. The song reflects upon the struggles of living in a "sinful world" filled with temptation and the need for guidance and salvation. The lyrics highlight the importance of having a friend, in this case, Jesus Christ, to ultimately save us from the trials and tribulations of life.
The song opens with Elvis singing about the difficulties of living in a world filled with sin and temptation, a world where comfort is hard to come by. He then questions where else he can turn but to the Lord, seeking refuge for his soul. The second verse speaks about the comfort that can be found in God's Word and the inevitability of death, which leads to another plea for salvation from the Lord. The song's chorus repeats the question of where we can turn but to the Lord for comfort and salvation.
The final verse expresses Elvis's belief in the existence of heaven and his desire to find it. The song ends with a powerful refrain that affirms Elvis's commitment to his faith, stating that he is part of the "soul-saving army" and that he is "saved."
In summary, Elvis Presley's Gospel Medley is a moving tribute to the singer's faith, highlighting his belief in the need for guidance and salvation from a higher power. The lyrics emphasize the struggles of living in a world filled with sin and the importance of seeking refuge in the Lord. Ultimately, the song is a testament to Elvis's deep belief in the idea that the only way to find peace and comfort in life is through faith and spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
Living below in this old sinful world
Living in this sin-filled world, struggling to find comfort amidst temptation.
Hardly a comfort can afford
Finding it difficult to enjoy comfort in this world, given its sinful nature.
Striving alone to face temptation so
Endeavoring to resist temptation single-handedly.
Now wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
Asking for advice on where else to turn except to the Lord when faced with temptation.
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Searching for a place of spiritual protection, and wanting a savior at the end of life.
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from gods own word
Enjoying life with close friends, and finding solace and consolation in God's teachings.
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Wont you tell me
Where could I go but to the lord
When confronted with death, asking again where else to find refuge except in the Lord.
Up above my head there is music in the air
And I really do believe, I really do believe
I really do believe there's a heaven somewhere
There's a heaven somewhere
Finding comfort in the idea of heaven, and truly believing it exists.
I wanna soothe my my heart, I wanna ease my mind
I wanna move my shoes and see what I can find
I wanna stand up tall and open up my eyes
I wanna reach out my hand until I touch the skies
Wanting to find peace of mind and explore what life has to offer, and striving to reach for the stars.
I was a poor lost lamb in a deep dark hole
But now I've found that light I'm gonna save my soul
Once feeling lost and hopeless, but now discovering a glimmer of hope that will save their soul.
I used to drink, I used to smoke
I used to smoke, drink and dance the hoochy-coo
I used to smoke and drink, smoke and drink and dance
The hoochy-coo
Oh yeh! and now I'm standing on thius corner praying for
Me and you
Admitting to past behaviors involving drinking, smoking, and dancing, but now standing on a corner and praying for themselves and others.
I-i-i that's why I'm saved I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
You know I'm saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
Expressing assurance in their salvation and wanting to preach about the Kingdom of God to others.
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
I used to cuss, I used to fuss
I used to fuss, cuss, worry all night long
I used to cuss and fuss, cuss and fuss,
Cuss and fuss and worry all night long
Well now I'm standing on this corner, I know right
From
Wrong
I-i-i that's why I'm saved I'm saved
Belonging to the soul-saving army and playing music with passion. Admitting to being prone to worrying and fussing, but now feeling righteous and assured in their faith.
I used to lie, I used to cheat
I used to lie, cheat, steal from peoples feet
I used to lie and cheat, lie and cheat and steal from
Peoples feet
Well now I'm steppin on to glory salvation in my beat
Confessing to previous dishonest actions and thievery, but now moving forward proudly and confidently towards salvation.
I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass
Drum
Oh yeh! because I'm saved, I'm saved
People let me tell you bout kingdom come
You know I'm saved I'm saved
Well I can preach until you're deaf and dumb
I'm saved, I'm saved I'm saved
Continuing to play music with passion, and expressing gratitude for their salvation. Wanting to tell others about the Kingdom of God and preach indefinitely. Proudly proclaiming their newfound faith.
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Melvis170 W
@Mrs. Muir - the Grammy’s were too partisan in the sense that had Elvis actually gone to the Grammy’s it would of been HUGE for them, HOWEVER, Col Parker said if his boy goes to the show, Elvis should get paid since his mere presence would give them a huge promotional boost! Elvis most likely would of received more actual Grammy’s but his manager wanted him to get paid to attend the Grammy’s!
So, much of Elvis’ music was shunned/over-looked/disregarded.
Although his Gospel just couldn’t be ignored - Elvis was most definitely blessed by God to sing and sing he did!!
Also, RIAA didn’t recognize all of Elvis’ early recordings which would of given Elvis even more credits for his music. He has huge amount however his early recordings were number 1 for months, one after another, which he did get gold, silver & platinum records for but weren’t counted by the RIAA.
The RIAA sales certifications are not automatic. The artist’s record company must pay a fee and request an audit from the RIAA in order to certify sales. During Elvis’ lifetime, RCA Victor submitted few. They simply awarded their own ‘gold record’ based on their own internal sales figures. As a consequence, some of Elvis’ early sales information has been lost.
RCA has researched its archives and old files in an effort to reconstruct Elvis’ sales figures.
This has led to Elvis receiving numerous RIAA certifications posthumously.
Too bad they didn’t do that from the git-go during Elvis’ lifetime!
Goes to show all the greedy people who used Elvis!
TCB⚡️TLC⚡️
Darwin
Elvis has been gone for over 40 years.
I still remember that afternoon when I came home from school and saw the news of his death on tv.
40 plus years and still million of people visit his grave site every year.
More people visit Elvis' grave than all the Hollywood celebrities, famous people and politicians put together.
Singers like Micheal Jackson (not the knock MJ) and the rest of them had nothing on Elvis.
There are at least 100,000 dollars in flowers left at Elvis' grave site every year.
Over 600,000 fans visit his grave each year.
They sell tickets to the grave site at $12 each in the early 2000.
Now it's $47 per admission.
I guess if you spend thousands on plane tickets, hotels, food etc another $47 dollars is not an issue. No fan is going to object to that.
They probably can increase that admission fee much more without complaints. (not that I want to see)
Most of the other celebrity grave sites have free admission.
Still very few people visit them.
Elvis' resting site is the most ever visited by fans.
The admission brings in well over $20 million per year.
Add that to all his paraphernalias and music rights, collectables etc.
His daughter never have to work for the rest of her life.
Elvis generates a lot more money 44 years after he died then most artists alive today.
Elvis was genuine and real. He never forgot where he came from. He didn't let fame and fortune go to his head (like most celebrities)
A down to earth man that the ordinary person can relate to.
He treated people the way he would want to be treated.
That's why he is so loved by so many.
The reason almost no Singers today record his songs is because they can't do it better than Elvis.
When you record someone else's song, you will inevitably be compared to the original.
That's when you know how good he was.
Listen to some of his songs like (can't help falling in love) that song was done by many artists including Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli is considered one of the best artist today.
Go look it up on youtube and listen for yourself.
There is no comparison.
American idol has been on for well over a decade, they still don't have a contestants that comes even close to Elvis.
Imagine if you had someone with his looks, singing talent, and oozes charisma?
That's what an idol is about.
Elvis is the original and the biggest "IDOL" of all time.
That's not just someone who has been an Elvis fan since the age of 10.
He is simply the best.
That's why people always go back to his music.
Elvis was a true talent, not like so many that calls themselves singers today.
I remember hearing Mariah Carey beating Elvis for the most records ever sold.
REALLY? WHAT'S HER LEGACY?
How many people will remember to attend her grave site years after her death.
Most famous people and celebrities are forgotten (but for a mention in history) a few years after their passing.
ELVIS is the only one that lives on for decades after his death.
Let's be honest, the music he was provided with in some of those movies were less than desirable material. Certainly not the kind of rock and roll that made him in the early years.
But he did the best he could with them. Absolutely no one else other than Elvis could have pulled it off and done them as well as he did.
He could sing anything. That was Elvis.
They say (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). Elvis has been and will always will be the most ever imitated in this world.
There are professional Elvis impersonators, commonly known as Elvis tribute artists (ETAs) from literally every country on this planet.
There has never be that phenomenon ever.
It's only happened once, and it will probably never happen again.
If you go to some 3rd world country where the locals don't even speak English (as I have), the people there probably never heard of famous politicians or celebrities but as soon as you say one name "Elvis" they know who you are talking about. To be known worldwide by your first name along is really saying something. He will live on through his timeless music long after the rest of us are gone.
I'm not a religious person but the one person I would like to meet in heaven (if there is one) would be Elvis.
I would like to shake his hand, tell him how much he has affected me and been a part of my life.
I'd never imagined I would say that about someone I've never even once meet before.
Elvis' music and legacy will always be loved in the hearts of people around the world.
Even though some of these people speaks no English.
That is totally AMAZING, unheard of.
He will always be the one and only.
There will never be another Elvis.
T M
The 68 Special was so far ahead of it's time it's ridiculous. The first MTV Unplugged. First long form music videos. Whatever the King did, he did it first.
Brad rawsner
@Rodriguez Thiago
It's because he had one of the worst managers in music history.
Rodriguez Thiago
Right. Several of his musical scenes in movies were also music videos. Too bad he didn't do more specials like this
Linda Mena
@Zachary M This concert stands up to any concert today. It made HISTORY,
stege99
You never see Elvis as comfortable as he is when singing gospel. It's his major love, and really shows. Elvis singing gospel is among my absolute favorites of all time.
Ivy Ferreira
You are so right. Elvis said gospel music puts his mind at ease. He always sings gospel with much respect and reverence to the Lord. ⚡🙏
Dr. Aashish Xaxa
I have a newfound special respect for Elvis because he acknowledged the Gospel, R&B and Black roots of Rock n Roll Music. What he did, everyone else followed. Salute to the King and brother.
Damienp39
Don’t understand why people still call him a racist and say he stole black culture he respected the black community and acknowledged it countless of times.
Thomas P Green
I think that he acknowledged it in some of his early interviews like the 56 Charlotte Observer interview, and the Louie Robinson interview "The truth about that Elvis Presley rumor." (Jet Magazine August 1957).
Cary Bensilhe
Correct!