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
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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
(She wrote upon it)
Return to sender
Address unknown
No such number
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
Ah, return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
The lyrics to the song "Return to Sender" by Elvis Presley depict the frustration and confusion of the singer as his letters to his lover keep getting returned to him. The first verse describes how he gives a letter to the postman, which is returned the next day with "Return to sender, address unknown, no such number, no such zone" written on it. The second verse reveals that the reason for the return is a quarrel with his lover, and he is trying to apologize through letters. However, the letters keep getting returned, and he tries to send it through a special delivery, but it comes back to him again.
The frustration of the singer is evident as he decides to deliver the letter himself in the third verse. He hopes that the letter will reach his lover this time and that she will understand his apology. However, the final verse remains unresolved as the letter's fate is unknown, and the singer repeats the "Return to sender" chorus.
The song's lyrics convey the helplessness and desperation of the singer in his efforts to make amends with his lover. It also reflects the importance of communication in relationships and how misunderstandings and arguments can lead to misinterpretations of emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Return to sender
The letter that was sent needs to be returned to the sender
Return to sender
The letter that was sent needs to be returned to the sender
I gave a letter to the postman
I handed a letter to the mail carrier
He put it his sack
He placed it among the other letters and packages he was carrying
Bright and early next morning
The very next morning, as soon as the mail service resumed
He brought my letter back
He returned my letter to me
(She wrote upon it)
The woman who received the letter wrote on it
Return to sender
The letter needs to be sent back to the original sender
Address unknown
The destination address is not known
No such number
The street or house number does not exist
No such zone
The area or district is not known
We had a quarrel
We had an argument or disagreement
A lover's spat
An argument between romantic partners
I write I'm sorry, but my letter keeps coming back
I tried to apologize, but my letter was repeatedly returned to me
So then I dropped it in the mailbox
I put the letter in the mailbox
And sent it special D
I marked it for special delivery
Bright and early next morning
The very next morning, as soon as the mail service resumed
It came right back to me
The letter was returned to me once again
(She wrote upon it)
The woman who received the letter wrote on it
This time I'm gonna take it myself
Next time, I will hand-deliver the letter
And put it right in her hand
I will give the letter directly to her
And if it comes back the very next day then I'll understand
If the letter is returned to me the next day, then I will know that she does not want to read it
(The writing on it)
The text written on the letter
Return to sender
The letter needs to be sent back to the original sender
Address unknown
The destination address is not known
No such number
The street or house number does not exist
No such zone
The area or district is not known
Ah, return to sender
Oh, send the letter back to me
Return to sender
The letter needs to be sent back to the original sender
Return to sender
The letter needs to be sent back to the original sender
Return to sender
The letter needs to be sent back to the original sender
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edgar Tenorio
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
Kim Anderson
I can't believe it's going to be 40 years this August since Elvis passed away. Man, the time goes fast! This was ALWAYS one of my favorites because the tune is so catchy.
Jacob Keeney
42 years this year. he died at age 42 too.. such a shame
Woffenhorst
@Jacob Keeney Sounds to me like he found the answer to the ultimate question and had his life completed.
Gocatgo
43 years now!
Matthew Krenzler
Almost 44 now.
Evelyn Blaser
Me too.
Artsygirlyii
Elvis has helped me in so many troublesome moments. This was one of my favorites from his playlists. My mom used to play him singing and dancing on a stage when I was a baby and I stopped crying immediately and grabbed her phone. God I wish he was alive. What I wouldn’t do to meet him.
Denise White
Me to I would have loved to see him in concert.
tobenna ekwueme
I had to re-read your post multiple times.
I finally realized it was possible to type this, and have been a baby and your mom had a smartphone.
That was NOT possible when I was a baby.
Man, I'm older than I realize!
Cal
Another Elvis that is a 100% perfect recording.
Just a pure pop masterpiece.