Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

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.

He's Only a Prayer Away
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I thank the Lord for everything
When things are going my way
He said to me, 'I will comfort thee'
'And drive your cares away'
He promised me, 'I will walk with thee'
'And drive your cares away'

I did not ask for riches

He gave me wealth untold
The moon, the stars, the sun, the sky
Are there for you to behold

I thank the Lord for everything
And I count my blessings each day
He came to me when I needed Him
I only have to pray

And He'll come to you - if you ask Him to
He's only a prayer away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "I Asked the Lord" are a grateful expression of the singer's belief in God's presence and protection. The song starts with Elvis thanking God for everything in his life, especially when things are going well. He then references God's promise to comfort and walk with him, assuring him that his worries will be taken care of.

Elvis goes on to express his contentment with the blessings that God has bestowed upon him, even though he did not specifically ask for riches. He acknowledges the beauty of the natural world around him, emphasizing how those gifts from God are available for all to appreciate.

At the end of the song, Elvis reminds his listeners that God is accessible to them as well. He states that if they pray, God will come to them because He is "only a prayer away."

Overall, the song conveys a sense of humility and gratitude that many people can relate to, regardless of their religious beliefs. Elvis's performance adds a layer of emotional intensity that makes the lyrics even more powerful.

He's Only a Prayer AwayElvis Presley Lyrics

Josué Lopes

Элиза Михайлова

Edileusa Menezes

Max Sunman

patricia krawczyk

invinoveritas

1straycat99

Fernando Yela

grazietta carcetta

Zee Dot

Charles Measels

Moussa Alioua

David Juan Lozano

ana trica

Mona Gaw

Gerald Lewis

Gerald Lewis

Cheryl Spencer

anna maria facchiano

Kay Gibbons

He's Only a Prayer Away
Elvis Presley Lyrics