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.
Men With Broken Hearts
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With shoulders stooped and heads bowed down and eyes that stare in defeat
For souls that live within the past where sorrow plays all her parts
Where a living death is all that′s left for men with broken hearts
You have no right to be the judge to criticize and condemn
Just think but for grace of God it would be you instead of him
One careless step a thoughtless deed and then the mystery starts
And to those who weep death comes cheap these men with broken hearts
For it's written that the greatest men never get too big to cry
Some lose faith in love and life when sorrow shoots her darts
And with hope all gone they walk alone these men with broken hearts
You've never walked in that man′s shoes or seen things through his eyes
Or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies
Some were paupers some were kings and some were masters of the arts
But in their shame they′re all the same these men with broken hearts
Life sometimes can be so cruel that a heart will pray for death
God why must these living dead know pain with every breath
So help your brother along the road no matter where you start
For the God that made you made them too these men with broken hearts(These men with broken hearts)
Elvis Presley's Men With Broken Hearts is a melancholic song that is about suffering and empathy towards those who have experienced grief and loss. The song paints a vivid picture of the difficulties faced by those who have experienced broken hearts. The singer in the song acknowledges that there are many like him on life's busy streets, with bowed heads and eyes filled with defeat. The chorus reminds listeners that we should not judge these men for their sorrow but instead offer empathy and kindness.
The song reminds us of the fragility of life and how easily someone's fortune can flip. The opening lines remind us that it could be anyone who ends up with a broken heart. The song also provides a message of hope by highlighting the significance of empathy and helping our brothers and sisters along the road, "For the God that made you made them too, these men with broken hearts." The song encourages us to be generous, humble, patient, and kind to those who have gone through life's trials and tribulations.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll meet many just like me upon life's busy street
There are countless individuals who are defeated and hopeless, wandering around on the busy streets of life just like me.
With shoulders stooped and heads bowed down and eyes that stare in defeat
These people are dejected and crestfallen. They carry the weight of their problems on their stooping shoulders, staring blankly with hopeless eyes.
For souls that live within the past where sorrow plays all her parts
These individuals are stuck in their past, where they are constantly reminded of their sorrowful and tragic events.
Where a living death is all that's left for men with broken hearts
These people feel as though they are already dead, and their current existence is an extension of their misery and pain.
You have no right to be the judge to criticize and condemn
It is not fair to judge or berate these individuals for their circumstances.
Just think but for grace of God it would be you instead of him
One should empathize with them and be grateful for their blessings, and realize that they could have been in the same situation if not for luck or divine intervention.
One careless step a thoughtless deed and then the mystery starts
Sometimes, a small mistake or reckless behavior can trigger a chain of tragic and unpredictable events in one's life.
And to those who weep death comes cheap these men with broken hearts
When life becomes unbearable and they cry out for death, it seems like a better fate than their current living hell.
Oh so humble you should be if they come passing by
If one encounters someone who is in such a pitiable state, one should be kind and compassionate towards them.
For it's written that the greatest men never get too big to cry
Even the mightiest of individuals feel and express emotions like sadness and grief.
Some lose faith in love and life when sorrow shoots her darts
Tragedies can cause people to completely lose their faith in love and life, leaving them directionless and hopeless.
And with hope all gone they walk alone these men with broken hearts
These individuals have given up hope and walk through life in solitude, feeling like they are completely alone in their pain.
You've never walked in that man's shoes or seen things through his eyes
One should not judge or presume to understand what someone else is going through, as you have never experienced their circumstances.
Or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies
It is one of the most painful experiences to feel helpless while watching your own heart deteriorate and perish.
Some were paupers some were kings and some were masters of the arts
These men could be from any walk of life, regardless of their financial status or achievements.
But in their shame they're all the same these men with broken hearts
Despite their differences, they are all the same when they experience the all-encompassing shame and despair of a broken heart.
Life sometimes can be so cruel that a heart will pray for death
Life's hardships can be so unrelenting and excruciating that death becomes a better alternative for some individuals.
God why must these living dead know pain with every breath
It feels unjust that these people, who are still alive, are forced to endure agony with every single breath they take.
So help your brother along the road no matter where you start
It is important to help and support your fellow human beings, no matter where you are in life.
For the God that made you made them too these men with broken hearts
We are all created by the same divine force and share the same human experience, including the intense pain of a shattered heart.
Writer(s): Hank Williams, Sr.
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MsMoodyBlue
Oh,I love this so much thanks for posting!
qlenda
Excellent song & video! ☆☆☆☆☆
jonsha07
Great song with a very DEEP meaning!!! Forever Elvis!!! <3
shirley bird
those who say bad things about elvis should have walked a mile in his shoes. then they know.
Nellywoman197602
That actually goes for talking bad about anybody too!
elvis1943
The poem at the start of the song, " Men With broken hearts." was great, . The Pictures and Elvis just wonderful as always. Thanks for sharing it. If any one is interested, I found the song These men with broken harts. Hank Willums sings it. Its a sad song but very good. Thanks anain for sharing this great video.
Tim Denman
elvis1943 it is from Luke the drifter. Hank's alter ego. One of the many great songs he wrote
Dyessick
loved him and his music
Jeremy shawn Foster
Just love it
kathy parkinson
What a beautiful man, oh yeah, great song too Roseanne, as usual. Kathy xx