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.
Love Me Love The Life I Lead
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But what I am, the way the good Lord made me
Though I need you more than you may ever understand
I can't wear a face that will betray me
Oh, if you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
'cause the life I lead is the life I lead
Money in my pocket never seems to last too long
I've gambled on the way and drowned my sorrows
Though God knows, I can't pretend it's better on my own
I can't promise you a new tomorrow
Oh, if you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'cause the life I lead is the life I lead
Oh, if you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'cause the life I lead is the life I lead
If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'cause the life I
lead is the life I lead
Elvis' song "Love Me Love The Life I Lead" reflects on the powerful message of acceptance and love. Elvis sings that he cannot change who he is, that he cannot be anybody else, but himself. He is accepting himself for who he is, and he needs his partner to do the same. He understands that he may have limited resources financially, that he may not be making great decisions, but he cannot change his fundamental nature. He urges his partner to love the life he leads, with all of its highs and lows, and not to try and mould him into something he is not.
The opening line of the song sets the tone for the rest of it. The lyrics, "I am not a wise man neither am I a fool; But what I am, the way the good Lord made me" echoes the sentiment of being comfortable with oneself. The song goes on to describe the struggles the singer goes through, but throughout it all, he is still proud of who he is. He is urging his partner to do the same.
The chorus is, perhaps, the most memorable part of the song. Elvis' plea that his partner should "Love Me Love The Life I Lead" rings true for so many people. In love, we all seek someone who will appreciate the life we have built for ourselves, someone who will understand our passions, our highs, and lows, and love us anyway. Elvis' ability to convey that message so beautifully in his song is why it continues to resonate with so many people today.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not a wise man neither am I a fool
I am who I am, neither better nor worse than others
But what I am, the way the good Lord made me
I was created by a higher power, naturally and uniquely
Though I need you more than you may ever understand
I have a deep need for love and connection that may not be fully grasped by others
I can't wear a face that will betray me
I cannot pretend to be someone I am not, or go against my true self
Money in my pocket never seems to last too long
I struggle financially, often spending more than I have
I've gambled on the way and drowned my sorrows
I have made risky choices and turned to vices to cope with my problems
Though God knows, I can't pretend it's better on my own
Even though I try to handle things by myself, I know deep down that it's not ideal
I can't promise you a new tomorrow
I cannot guarantee a better future, as it is beyond my control
Oh, if you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
If you choose to love me, you must also accept my lifestyle and choices
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
I require certain things in my life and cannot be forced to alter them
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
If you decide to be with me, accept me for who I am as a person
I can't be another man, I can't be free
I cannot change who I am, as it would mean losing my sense of self and freedom
'cause the life I lead is the life I lead
The way I live my life is unique to me and cannot be altered to please others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY, TONY MACAULAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LIYANMUSIC
better than Our Modern Pop songs
@derekkearns4202
Brilliant song kinda biographical for Elvis , sung with such conviction and really tests the power in his gifted voice, sadly one of many great songs you don't hear on the radio !!
@pacsun-guitar
He's the singer who sings in the coolest way!
@risacalcagno6072
La sua voce scavalchera anche questo millennio .
@LIYANMUSIC
Missed you elvis...this song is beautiful as F............
Love you so much
@josephinesaggio818
I am mercerized with this song!❤😢
@odonnchada9994
Class. 🎵🎶🎼☘️🇮🇪
@lauramuttoni130
Extraordinaria voz! El más bello y mejor cantante del mundo.
Sus canciones llenas de sentimientos. Lo amo por siempre
@AndreaSanchez-kh2sr
Hermosa canción. Pero triste es lo que sentía Elvis. Love forever
@nailamakki3706
Agreat song for awonderful man. Elvis Presley agreat artist all of the times. 😘🙏🎙👑🎶👑🎶👑🎶🎶🎵👑🎙👑🙏😘💋💋💋💋💋💋💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖