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.

Inherit The Wind
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby don't fall in love with me
I'll only bring you grief
Baby, don't set your heart on me
I'll only have to leave

'Cause the north wind flows through my veins
Like my dad there's a dream in my brain
In the morning I'll have to leave again

That's how it is when you inherit the wind
Inherit the wind

Daddy, he was a traveling man
I hardly knew his face
Momma, she cried for him at night
He never stayed in one place

'Cause the north wind flows through my veins
Like my dad there's a dream in my brain
In the morning I'll have to leave again
That's how it is when you inherit the wind
Inherit the wind

Oh I can't give you the love you need
I just won't be here that long
But if you still want me here tonight
I'll love you till the break of dawn

'Cause the north wind flows through my veins
Like my dad there's a dream in my brain
In the morning I'll have to leave again
That's how it is when you inherit the wind

Inherit the wind
Inherit the wind, inherit the wind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "Inherit the Wind" describe the internal conflicts and struggles of a traveling man who cannot stay in one place for long. He warns his lover not to fall in love with him, as he knows he will only bring her sadness and grief when he inevitably has to leave again. He explains that he inherited this wanderlust from his father and that this desire to keep moving is ingrained deeply within him.

The central metaphor of the song is the wind, which represents the uncontrollable desire to roam and the impermanence of relationships. The phrase "inherit the wind" comes from the Bible and refers to the futility of fighting against the unchangeable forces of life. The singer feels trapped by this force and resigned to his fate, unable to offer his loved one the stability and commitment she desires.

Despite the sadness and melancholy of the song, there is a sense of acceptance and understanding throughout the lyrics. The singer recognizes that his nomadic lifestyle is not sustainable for a long-term relationship and is upfront with his lover about his limitations. Nonetheless, his passion and desire for connection are still alive, and he is willing to love her until dawn if that is what she wants.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby don't fall in love with me
Don't get too attached to me

I'll only bring you grief
I'll only hurt you

Baby, don't set your heart on me
Don't fall in love with me

I'll only have to leave
I'll have to go away

Cause the north wind flows through my veins
I have wanderlust in my blood

Like my dad there's a dream in my brain
I inherited my father's desire to travel

In the morning I'll have to leave again
I must continue my journey

That's how it is when you inherit the wind
That's what it's like when you inherit the desire to wander

Daddy, he was a traveling man
My father was always on the move

I hardly knew his face
I didn't get to spend much time with him

Momma, she cried for him at night
My mother missed him terribly