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.
One Night
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is what I'm now praying for
The things that we two could plan
Would make my dreams come true
Just call my name
And I'll be right by your side
I want your sweet helping hand
My loves too strong to hide
I ain't never did no wrong
Now I know that life without you
Has been too lonely too long
One night with you
Is what I'm now praying for
The things that we two could plan
Would make my dreams come true
Always lived, very quiet life
I ain't never did no wrong
Now I know that life without you
Has been too lonely too long
One night with you
Is what I'm now praying for
Of things that we two could plan
Would make my dreams come true
The song "One Night" by Elvis Presley is a yearning love song from the perspective of an individual who desires one night with a specific romantic partner. The singer expresses the wishful thinking that one night with their crush would fulfill all of their wildest dreams. The lyrics suggest that the two haven't had a previous romantic relationship, as the singer discusses leading a "very quiet life" without doing any wrong to their love interest. Furthermore, the lyrics emphasize the singer's passion and desire for their crush, as they describe their love as "too strong to hide." The singer's hope is that by simply calling their name, their love interest would reciprocate the passion.
On a deeper level, the song can be interpreted as an expression of loneliness and longing. The singer's plea for one night suggests that they have been alone for too long without companionship, and their desire to be with the object of their affection is heightened as a result. The song is a poignant reminder that love and connection are essential aspects of the human experience, and the absence of these things can leave one feeling phlegmatic and unfulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
One night with you
The singer is asking for a one-time romantic encounter with the person addressed in the song
Is what I'm now praying for
The singer deeply desires this one night and considers it a religious or spiritual need
The things that we two could plan
The singer imagines all the possibilities of what they could do together on this night and how it could fulfill their deepest desires
Would make my dreams come true
The singer believes that this night would be the key to achieving everything they've ever wanted in their life
Just call my name
The singer is eager and available for this encounter and wants to be summoned by the other person
And I'll be right by your side
The singer is committed to being physically present with the other person and ready to share this experience
I want your sweet helping hand
The singer desires the physical and emotional support of the other person during this encounter
My love's too strong to hide
The singer has strong romantic feelings for the other person that they cannot conceal or ignore
Always lived, very quiet life
The singer has led a reserved and private existence before this moment
I ain't never did no wrong
The singer claims to have never committed any truly negative actions in their life
Now I know that life without you
The singer has come to understand that their life has been incomplete and unsatisfying without the other person
Has been too lonely too long
The singer has endured a prolonged period of loneliness and dissatisfaction with their life
Of things that we two could plan
The singer is once again emphasizing their excitement about the potential opportunities and experiences that this one night might bring
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Actual Music, S.L.
Written by: Anita Steiman, Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicky0016dd
LOVE this song!
He sang it with such passion and emotion! BEAUTIFUL!!
The King!!!!!
@verahoward2341
One of my favorite Elvis songs. "One night" I don't think there's a song he ever sang that I didn't like. I believe he was sincere in all he did. God puts certain people here for a certain reason. And I believe God had a purpose these special people are far and few between. We were truly blessed with his presence.
@suziwil5019
I'll never get tired of Elvis!
@NosSon-gb4cv
Even I don't forget my king.. I'm Starman
@miguelcc2000
there is so much soul and emotion in the raspiness of The voice. I can't help but feel what he's feeling. Absolutely beautiful.
@michaelcraig9449
He could sing real smooth or real heavy, he had tons of range and variety. Even without his great stage presence, he was a great singer, just the singing part.
@faithbudnerelad1089
Staggeringly
@loganslater7584
It's been 40 Years since his passing. His music is as fresh as it was all those years ago. RIP Elvis Presley 1935-1977.
@jessicacaudill1073
R.I.P. Elvis Presley
@arielle7934
king with KING