Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

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.

Show Me Thy Ways O Lord
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Help me love when I'm hated
Spread joy unabated
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Jesus was more than just a man from Galilee
Christ the son of God, he died for you and me
They scorched him and walked him upon in delight (?)

Still Jesus loved them, forgave and he cried
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Help me love when I'm hated
Spread joy unabated
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Help me love when I'm hated

Spread joy unabated
Show me Thy ways, O Lord

Overall Meaning

The song "Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord" by Elvis Presley is a prayer of guidance and grace. The lyrics implore God to show us the right path to follow, especially when we are faced with negativity and hatred from others. The song emphasizes the transformative power of love and joy, and how we can spread it even in difficult times.

The first two lines of the song, "Show me Thy ways, O Lord, Help me love when I'm hated" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer acknowledges that God's ways are the only way to follow, and ask for help to love those who hate him or her. This shows that the singer is not asking for an easy journey, but rather for strength and guidance to endure life's challenges.

The second verse references the story of Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be the son of God. The lyrics describe how Jesus was tortured and crucified by his own people, yet he still forgave them and loved them. This shows the singer's desire to follow Jesus' example of forgiveness and unconditional love.

Overall, "Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord" encourages us to have faith in God's guidance and to follow his path of love and joy, even in the face of hatred and negativity.

Line by Line Meaning

Show me Thy ways, O Lord
Elvis is asking God to guide him and show him the right path.

Help me love when I'm hated
Elvis is seeking God's help to love and forgive those who hate him or treat him poorly.

Spread joy unabated
Elvis wishes to bring happiness and positivity to the world without any hindrance or obstacles.

Jesus was more than just a man from Galilee
Elvis is acknowledging that Jesus was not just an ordinary man from Galilee, but the son of God with a divine purpose.

Christ the son of God, he died for you and me
Elvis believes that Jesus sacrificed himself for the sake of humankind's salvation and redemption.

They scorched him and walked him upon in delight (?)
Elvis may be referring to the torture and humiliation Jesus faced during his crucifixion, which was met with cruel enjoyment by his executioners.

Still Jesus loved them, forgave and he cried
Despite the cruelty shown to him, Jesus remained compassionate and forgiving towards those who harmed him, ultimately shedding tears for their redemption.

Lyrics © ACORN PUBLISHING
Written by: HAZEL SHADE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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