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.
Return To Sender -
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave a letter to the postman, he put it his sack
Bright in early next morning, he brought my letter back
She wrote upon it
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
We had a quarrel, a lover's spat
I write I'm sorry but my letter keeps coming back
So then I dropped it in the mailbox and sent it special D
Bright in early next morning it came right back to me
She wrote upon it
Return to sender, address unknown
No such person, no such zone
This time I'm gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day then I'll understand
The writing on it
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
Return to sender, return to sender
Return to sender, return to sender
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "Return to Sender" tells the story of a man who is trying to contact his lover who has moved or changed her address. The verse "I gave a letter to the postman, he put it his sack, bright in early next morning, he brought my letter back" implies that the man is still clinging on to the hope that his lover is still at the address he knows, but despite his efforts, the letter keeps getting returned to him. This is reinforced in the chorus with the phrase "Return to sender, address unknown, no such number, no such zone" showing the frustration and desperation of the man as he tries and fails to connect with his lost love.
However, the man is not deterred by these setbacks as he tries different methods of sending the letter, including sending it special delivery. The line "I write I'm sorry but my letter keeps coming back" shows that the man is willing to apologize for whatever mistake he might have made in their relationship, but his efforts have not been successful. Lastly, the verse "This time I'm gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand, and if it comes back the very next day then I'll understand" highlights the fact that the man is not giving up on trying to find his lover but is being more proactive in his approach.
Overall, "Return to Sender" is a sorrowful story of lost love and nostalgia, with Elvis Presley's soulful voice adding to the poignant mood of the song. The lyrics are a testament to the powerful emotions that can come with a difficult breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Return to sender, return to sender
The singer is repeatedly stating the act of returning a letter to the sender
I gave a letter to the postman, he put it his sack
The singer gave a letter to the postman for delivery
Bright in early next morning, he brought my letter back
The letter was returned to the sender the very next day
She wrote upon it Return to sender, address unknown No such number, no such zone
The receiver of the letter sent it back stating that the address was unknown and there was no such number or zone
We had a quarrel, a lover's spat
I write I'm sorry but my letter keeps coming back
The sender and receiver had a quarrel and despite the sender trying to apologize through letters, they keep getting returned
So then I dropped it in the mailbox and sent it special D
Bright in early next morning it came right back to me
The sender dropped the letter in a special mailbox, but it still got returned the next day
This time I'm gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day then I'll understand
The sender will personally deliver the letter to the receiver and see if it gets returned again
The writing on it Return to sender, address unknown No such person, no such zone
The letter was returned to the sender again with the same issues stated as before
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: OTIS BLACKWELL, WINFIELD SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edgartenorio253
Return to sender
Return to sender
I gave a letter to the postman
He put it his sack
Bright and early next morning
He brought my letter back
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
We had a quarrel, a lover's spat
I write I'm sorry but my letter keeps coming back
So then I dropped it in the mailbox
And sent it special D
Bright and early next morning it came right back to me
Return to sender, address unknown
No such person, no such zone
This time I'm gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day then I'll understand
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
@cinziabyworth8291
Anyone still listening to this song in 2024?? ❤
@Tobias_Kr-M
😊
@superstarfanatic2024
Me
@joshmellon7269
Yes, because it's a amazing song!!!!
@gregt2022
Just popped into my head- had to hear it. When music was heartfelt.
@Cryasor16
Yo y siempre ❤
@snowbeast63
My aunt passed away last week from a silent battle with cancer. She was the biggest Elvis fan I ever knew. I think this song was her favorite.
@Sara-mx3bt
Hugs💜
@lynnhavens5073
May your aunt rest in peace and I hope Elvis sings to everyday in heaven
@user-rc7ly2fr4y
❤