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.
Riding the Rainbow
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hitting the highway to happiness
Oh yes, I'm looking to find someone
Whose meant to be mine
I'm living to love and loving to live
I've got a heart, I'm longing to give
I'm riding the rainbow
I'm riding the rainbow
Heading for heaven and happiness
I guess somebody somewhere
Someday will teach me to care
But being alone
Don't bother me
I'm free to have fun
It's fun to be free
I'm riding the rainbow
I'll follow that star
I'm riding the rainbow
To where you are
The lyrics to Elvis Presley’s song Riding the Rainbow refer to a quest for love and happiness. The singer is on a journey to find love with someone who is meant to be theirs. The lyrics show that the singer has a desire to love and be loved, with a longing to give love. The rainbow is a symbol of hope, and the singer expresses excitement about the adventure that lays ahead in the quest to find love. The lyrics “I'm living to love and loving to live” emphasize that the singer is looking for someone to share life's experiences with.
The singer is aware that finding love requires effort, as expressed by the phrase “I'll follow that star to where you are.” The phrase “Heading for heaven and happiness” shows the depth of the singer's feelings as he seeks a profound connection that brings happiness to his life. Although the singer has not found love yet, he is not bothered by being alone, as the lyrics say, “being alone don't bother me. I'm free to have fun. It's fun to be free.” In essence, the singer is stating that they are content by the mere fact that they are free to seek love and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm riding the rainbow
I'm embarking on a journey of discovery and adventure
Hitting the highway to happiness
I'm on the road to finding joy in life
Oh yes, I'm looking to find someone
I desire companionship and love
Whose meant to be mine
I'm searching for someone who fits perfectly into my life
I'm living to love and loving to live
My purpose in life is to give and receive love
I've got a heart, I'm longing to give
I have a deep desire to share my love with someone special
I'll follow that star to where you are
I am determined to find my soulmate, no matter where they may be
Heading for heaven and happiness
I'm on the path towards eternal contentment
I guess somebody somewhere
I have faith that there is someone out there for me
Someday will teach me to care
I have room in my heart to learn how to love and care for someone deeply
But being alone
I don't mind being by myself
Don't bother me
It doesn't affect me negatively
I'm free to have fun
I'm at liberty to enjoy myself
It's fun to be free
I am finding pleasure in being independent and autonomous
To where you are
Wherever you are, I will do what it takes to reach you
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: BEN WEISMAN, FRED WISE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
María José Rodas
ELVIS PRESLEY EL MEJOR CANTANTE DEL MUNDO UNICO GENIAL GRANDE FACINANTE CARISMATICO SOBERBIO INSUPERABLE ADORABLE VOZ DIVINA CARA DE ANGEL .❤️💋🙌
George Vreeland Hill
The greatest voice in history.
Charles Francis
A simple song sung so sweetly. Only Elvis can sing in such a way.
janiehallls
So gorgeous. For those who think Gig Young looks bored, he's supposed to look bored, annoyed even: it's his role in the film. Check out "Kid Galahand", it's a great film. Elvis delivers some good acting in it and Charles Bronson as always is fantastic.
Greg Amerson
Agree with all but Bronson, he was a world class asshole
Tom Rucco
Yes this is true I agree with your comment
Charles Francis
What a handsome guy with such a modern looks, God gifted.
Patricia Slocum
I love his smooth, sultry tones. That's what I miss the most, and that gorgeous, playful smile.
Linda Miller
I have always loved the movie and the songs from this movie. Some of my favorites!
IcanFartLOUD
This song is such an explosive yet tame arrangement. They should loop the last minute to make longer