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.
Oh Happy Day
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day
He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
The song "Oh Happy Day" by Elvis Presley is a gospel classic that speaks to the joy and happiness that believers experience when they come to faith in Christ. The song begins by repeating the phrase "Oh happy day" as a way of expressing the ecstatic feeling that comes with being forgiven of one's sins. This happiness is attributed to Jesus, who is said to have washed away the singer's sins.
The second stanza goes on to describe the transformative power of this experience. The singer says that Jesus taught them how to "watch, fight, and pray" and to live each day with joy and rejoicing. This is the kind of life that true believers experience, a life in which they are given the strength and guidance they need to overcome the challenges of the world and to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Overall, "Oh Happy Day" is a song of gratitude and joy that celebrates the transformative power of faith in Christ. It speaks to the hope and happiness that comes from being forgiven and living a life of purpose and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
Oh happy day
This day is so joyful that it has to be repeated.
When Jesus washed
When Jesus cleansed.
When Jesus washed
When Jesus cleansed.
When Jesus washed
When Jesus cleansed.
He washed my sins away
He removed my wrongdoings.
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
He instructed me on how to be vigilant, resilient, and communicate with God, repeatedly.
And live rejoicing every, everyday
And live happily each and every day.
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
He taught me how
He educated me.
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
Oh happy day
This is a joyful day.
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Judy Lear
Some of the best songs that Elvis sang was gospel. He sang with such emotion. He was definitely "High on Jesus" when he sang gospel...I cry sometimes when I listen to his gospel songs. I bought my first gospel album (His Hand In Mine) in 1965 when I was 14 and I have been hooked on his gospel ever since...
Conzo
Such a shame Elvis didn't properly record this. It's great to see this, however. Thank you!
Shirley Roemer
NOBODY DOES THIS LIKE ELVIS...UNBELIEVABLE!!
m brights
Elvis is the only one who tried to make gospel COOL….and he definitely succeeded!!!
STUDIO BENCIVENGA Marcus Bencivenga
Gospel is never cool it is deep !
el V
Oh lord mercy 😲😯😮
René Ögård
m brights Elvis got the only Grammy award from gospel
Elvis Presley Girl
Elvis had soul in him, is what it is. He had rhythm and soul.
CashPresley32
Johnny Cash did too.
edz0403
Never again will we see such a talent! Simply the best..