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.
I Really Don't Want To Know
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hated to let you go
How many, oh how many, I wonder
But I really don't want, I don't want to know
Oh how many lips have kissed you
And set, set your soul aglow, yes they did
How many, oh how many, I wonder, yes I do
So always make, make me wonder
And always make, make me guess
And even, you know even if I ask you
Oh darling oh don't you, don't confess
Just let it, let it remain your secret
Oh for darling, darling I love you so
No wonder, yeah no wonder, I wonder
Mmm, cause I really don't want, I don't want to know
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song 'I Really Don't Want To Know' are a contemplative expression of the emotions of a man who cannot bear to conceive of the romantic encounters his lover may have had in his absence. The lyrics wonder aloud about the number of people who have held and kissed her, and how deeply they may have affected her. There is an underlying sense of jealousy and insecurity behind the metaphorical references to the past lovers. The repetition of the phrase "I don't want to know" emphasizes the singer's reluctance to face the truth, as he fears that the reality may be too much for him to handle.
It is a poignant reflection on the nature of trust and vulnerability in relationships. The lyrics showcase the internal struggle of a man who is afraid to confront the possibility of his lover being with other men. Rather than risk losing her, he would rather remain in blissful ignorance. The line "Just let it remain your secret" demonstrates his ultimate desire to preserve the purity of his love, regardless of her past.
Overall, the lyrics of 'I Really Don't Want To Know' convey a sense of melancholy and uncertainty that is highlighted by Elvis' soulful voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh how many arms have held you
I wonder how many people have held you close before me
And hated to let you go
And how many of them may have felt the same pain I feel now about losing you
How many, oh how many, I wonder
I keep asking myself the same question over and over
But I really don't want, I don't want to know
But deep inside, I fear the answer, and I'd rather keep wondering than confront the truth
Oh how many lips have kissed you
I wonder how many people have shared a deep connection with you
And set, set your soul aglow, yes they did
And how many of them have made you feel alive and cherished
How many, oh how many, I wonder, yes I do
I keep wondering about your past, even though it hurts me
But I really don't want to know
Because knowing the answer could break my heart and shatter my illusion
So always make, make me wonder
Therefore, I hope you'll always keep me guessing about your secrets and your past
And always make, make me guess
So that I can keep longing for you and hoping for the best
And even, you know even if I ask you
And even if I dare to ask you about your past
Oh darling oh don't you, don't confess
Please spare me the truth, and don't reveal what I'm not ready to face
Just let it, let it remain your secret
Let the past be the past, and keep it buried in the depths of your memory
Oh for darling, darling I love you so
Because even though I'm afraid of the truth, I love you with all my heart
No wonder, yeah no wonder, I wonder
That's why I keep wondering about your past, even though it makes me suffer
Mmm, cause I really don't want, I don't want to know
Because knowing the truth could destroy our love, and I'm not ready to face that reality
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWARD BARNES, DON ROBERTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
Oh how many arms have held you
And hated to let you go
How many, oh how many, I wonder
But I really don't want, I don't wanna know
Oh how many lips have kissed you
And set, set your soul aglow, yes they did
How many, oh how many, I wonder, yes I do
But I really don't want to know
So always make, make me wonder
And always make, make me guess
And even, you know even if I ask you
Oh darling oh don't you, don't confess
Just let it, let it remain your secret
Oh for darling, darling I love you so
No wonder, yeah no wonder, I wonder
Mmm, 'cause I really don't want, I don't wanna know
james LeCroy
I do Elvis gigs from time to time and most people love Elvis , but occasionally I will get nasty comments from people that hate Elvis . It just amazes me how anyone can hate Elvis. You truly have to be one miserable person to hate Elvis or hate anyone for that matter.
Anne Maddox
@ James lee i agree 100 million percent ,How can anyone hate Elvis ,He was such a beautiful generous man., that i will love
til.the day i die and even afterwards please stay safe fellow
ELVIS FAN AND SUPPORTER
Rebecca Robbins
We were blessed when the Lord gave us Elvis. 😊😉. A gift like this doesn't come along often. And for us I don't think there will ever be another one like him. Sleep well dear Elvis and thank you for all the joy you brought into this sad world.We are far better for having known you.
Evap
There won’t be another one like him. True
But there will be another one better than him
Jeffie Jones
Rebecca Robbins Elvis Presley awesome
Jeffie Jones
Rebecca Robbins awesome
Josephine Lehman
Elvis's voice was so passionate. He can make tears comes to your eyes. Song with so much feeling. You can get way down in his soul.
Rosita Wonggianto
Agree...his special voice so velvet can tranfer us to another sweet world
盧s
一'
back2reality
no one can match his voice, what vocals just beyond amazing