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 Touched Me
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Need the Lord of gift and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
For He touched me, He touched me
(He touched me) and what wonderful joy that floods my soul (and what a wonderful joy)
Something happened and now I know
Oh since I met this blessed Savior
And since he cleaned and me me whole
Oh I never cease, never cease to prise Him
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh what a joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
In Elvis Presley's song He Touched Me, the lyrics paint a picture of a person who is struggling with a heavy burden and in need of salvation. They are shackled by guilt and shame and feel lost without a way out. But then, the hand of Jesus reaches out and touches them. The mere touch of his hand brings about a sense of joy and relief that pulsates through their entire being. They no longer feel weighed down by their past faults and shortcomings, for they have been made whole once again thanks to the touch of Jesus.
The song celebrates the transformative experience of finding redemption through faith. Elvis' soulful voice underscores the depth of emotion that this experience elicits. The use of repetition in the lyrics, particularly in the chorus, is quite effective in conveying the wonder and joy that the singer feels after being touched by Jesus. The lyrics serve as a poignant reminder that we are all capable of being redeemed, forgiven, and made whole through faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Shackled by a heavy burden
Weighted down by the heaviness of my troubles and sins
Need the Lord of gift and shame
Seeking the grace of God to forgive me for my mistakes and wrongdoings
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
Experiencing a divine intervention where Jesus reached out and comforted me
And now I am no longer the same
Transformed by the power of the Lord's touch and no longer burdened by my past
For He touched me, He touched me
Expressing gratitude for the Lord's touch that changed everything
(He touched me) and what wonderful joy that floods my soul (and what a wonderful joy)
Feeling overwhelmed with joy at the realization of being touched by the Savior
Something happened and now I know
Having a strong conviction and newfound faith after experiencing the Lord's touch
He touched me and made me whole
Being made complete and healed by the powerful touch of Jesus Christ
Oh since I met this blessed Savior
Celebrating the life-changing encounter with Jesus who has blessed and saved me
And since he cleaned and me me whole
Experiencing the cleansing power of God's grace that made me whole again
Oh I never cease, never cease to prise Him
Never stopping from praising and glorifying the Lord for His wonderful works
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Proclaiming and rejoicing the Lord's touch and saving grace for all of eternity
Oh He touched me, oh He touched me
Continuing to feel the overwhelming joy and gratitude for the Lord's touch
And oh what a joy that floods my soul
Experiencing a flood of joy that emanates from the depths of the soul
Something happened and now I know
Having a profound and undeniable understanding that something wonderful happened due to the Lord's touch
He touched me and made me whole
Being made complete and healed by the powerful touch of Jesus Christ
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: William J. Gaither
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanb7043
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole
Since I've met this blessed Savior
Since He's cleansed and made me whole
Oh, I will never cease to praise Him (to praise Him)
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
@josiasoliveira4593
Ô Elvis cantando Gospel é fora de série
É o único é o inimitável
Elvis cantando é vendo o céu aberto
Não desfazemos dos demais cantores gospel
Mas o Elvis é o maior cantor gospel do mundo ll
Ele foi escolhido por Deus dentro do ventre de sua senhora mãe
Deixou-nos um grande legado
Pena que passou pouco tempo nesta terra
Que o nosso Deus o Deus de Israel
O tenha nos seus braços llllll
@rcl168
Oh I soooooo agree// I am a 72 year old Christian who has been transported to the throne room of God listening to his prayerful spirit & faith filled gospel praise and worship singing.
Also
Listening now to his many powerful songs and voice that I missed out on when younger have totally overwhelmed me // his bouce from the 70’s especially just pierces my soul and spirit.
Here we are 47 years later and his voice faith and music is mesmerising all ages still // what a treasury and a legacy
He was human like we all are/: if you are a Christian Jesus does for us all not because we are perfect but for us to recognise that we need Him to live with Him in eternity.
I know Elvis will be with the God he lived and adored daily in God terms using that incredible voice worshiping. How many people he has touched since he passed is phenomenal // I thank God for him every day.
@bonnieskinner9181
O, this heavenly voice, what a joy when he lifts it up to the Lord.
@LT1HILLINGHOE
Jesus Christ has touched me many times. In times of despair and suffering He is right there with me. My Savior, my Father and my friend. Glory be to His name.
@josiascorreade
I hope Jesus will touch in the Good Times as well
@LT1HILLINGHOE
@@josiascorreade Seek Him out and He will give you His answer.
@vickismeby5703
I am sitting with my dear mother, who was 16 when Elvis came on the scene. We are listening to all of his greatest hymns.
What a gift!
Thank you, Elvis, for your healing presence. ❤
@2236tommo
I'm not religious whatsoever but when Elvis does religious songs, you can't help but to be inspired and lifted!
@codenomesailorv
This song really touched my heart. All glory to our Lord Jesus, and bless Elvis' voice.
@diogolima7367
Amen🙏🏼
@moacirschneider5096
you are a blessed person for love this song this singer best version and Lord Jesus
@juanb7043
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole
Since I've met this blessed Savior
Since He's cleansed and made me whole
Oh, I will never cease to praise Him (to praise Him)
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole