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 popularโand 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.
Poor Boy
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One thing's sure, boy, if you're stayin' home
You got no chance for another chick
Make tonight's dance that'll turn the trick
Rock-in', roll-in' you'll forget her, boy
Put your soul in someone better, boy
Have a big ball, get it off your chest
Maybe this all happened for the best
Could be, Poor Boy, as you flip 'n' whirl
You'll find pure joy with another girl
When your old flame comes a runnin' back
Just say "shame, shame" and begin to quack
Ha, ha, ha, ha,
Are you kidding me?
Ha, ha, ha, ha,
I could never be like I once was
I'm no fool now, I'm too cool now
I am free just say "Hi" to her, and good bye to her
Stroll away and let her be
Hey there, poor boy, watcha mopin' for
That's the cure boy, you've been hopin' for
Good advice now, you're not takin' it
Won't try nohow even fakin' it
Love can stall you like a little toy
So I call you poor boy
Elvis Presley's "Poor Boy" is a song about a lost love and the heartache that comes with it. The lyrics describe the struggles of a man who has lost his "honeycomb" and is left feeling alone and without hope. The singer advises him to forget about his old love and move on by dancing and finding someone new. The chorus encourages the poor boy to have fun and let loose, because perhaps his old love leaving was for the best and he can now find "pure joy with another girl."
The song's lyrics are an optimistic message about moving on from heartbreak and finding new love. The advice given to the poor boy is to let go of his old love and instead focus on finding a new partner. The lyrics are punctuated with a catchy rock-and-roll beat, adding to the message of finding joy in dancing and letting loose. Elvis Presley's expressive and emotional voice also adds depth to the lyrics, emphasizing the pain and hopelessness of a lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there, poor boy, lost your honeycomb
Hello sad young man, have you lost your love?
One thing's sure, boy, if you're stayin' home
If you stay at home you'll never meet another girl
You got no chance for another chick
You won't meet another girl if you stay at home
Make tonight's dance that'll turn the trick
Go to the dance tonight and find someone new
Rock-in', roll-in' you'll forget her, boy
Dancing and having fun will help you forget about your lost love
Put your soul in someone better, boy
Find someone new to put your heart into
Have a big ball, get it off your chest
Have a great time dancing and let your emotions out
Maybe this all happened for the best
Perhaps breaking up was for the best
Could be, Poor Boy, as you flip 'n' whirl
You might find happiness as you dance and have fun
You'll find pure joy with another girl
You can find happiness with a new girlfriend
When your old flame comes a runnin' back
If your former love comes back to you
Just say "shame, shame" and begin to quack
You can laugh at their attempts to come back to you
Ha, ha, ha, ha,
Laugh and be happy
Are you kidding me?
Am I joking?
I could never be like I once was
I can never go back to the way things were
I'm no fool now, I'm too cool now
I'm not naive anymore, I'm stronger now
I am free just say "Hi" to her, and good bye to her
I am free to say hello and goodbye to my old love
Stroll away and let her be
Walk away and leave her alone
Hey there, poor boy, watcha mopin' for
Hey sad young man, why are you so sad?
That's the cure boy, you've been hopin' for
Going out and having fun is the solution you've been seeking
Good advice now, you're not takin' it
I'm giving you good advice but you're not following it
Won't try nohow even fakin' it
You won't even try to pretend to be happy
Love can stall you like a little toy
Love can hold you back and make you feel powerless
So I call you poor boy
That's why I call you a sad young man
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELVIS PRESLEY, VERA MATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewmiller4885
Yep the real Elvis , before all the insanity that became his lifestyle and led to his ultimate and untimely death . An industry that required guidance and personal discipline if you are to survive it . Rest in peace beautiful man , beautiful soul . What a talent he was , the best . He really was a ..........Prince from another Planet
@emilymichalski9195
That's because " Col. Tom Parker" murdered Elvis
@nimelizcofelizagravante2028
I was touch by this song of Elvis Presley...he really admitted that he was a poor boy!!! Oh' boy ELVIS PRESLEY was very genuine guy.
@db90990
Elvis was poor the first 20 years of his life (1935 to 1955)
@taylortimeless
Had this song on repeat all day
@Pentagonshark666
A great performance by king himself.
@KhiKhiDeDoesItAll
Love this lovely song
@desti4410
this song is so nostalgic
@michellestory1686
Making them swoon ๐๐๐๐๐คฉ๐
@Mygreenscapular
my poor soul... nice