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.

Tennessee Waltz
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was dancin' with my darlin'
To the tennessee waltz
When an old friend
I happened to see

I introduced him to my darlin'
And while they were dancin'
My friend stole

My sweetheart from me

I remember the night
Of the tennesse waltz
Now I know just
How much I have lost

Yes, I lost my little darlin'

The night they were playin'
The beautiful tennesse waltz.

Overall Meaning

The song "Tennessee Waltz" by Elvis Presley tells the sad story of losing a lover during a dance. The singer was dancing with his lover to the Tennessee waltz when he saw an old friend and introduced him to his lover. While they were dancing together, the friend stole the singer's lover, leaving him heartbroken.

The lyrics capture the feeling of betrayal and heartbreak that comes from losing someone you love. The singer remembers that fateful night and realizes how much he has lost. The mention of the Tennessee waltz adds to the melancholy tone of the song, as it is often associated with romantic dancing and happy memories.

The song is a classic example of a love lost and is relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak. The use of the dance as a metaphor for the singer's relationship is powerful, as it conveys the fleeting nature of love and how easily it can slip away.

Line by Line Meaning

I was dancin' with my darlin' to the tennessee waltz
I was enjoying a pleasant dance with my loved one to the tune of the Tennessee Waltz.

When an old friend I happened to see
As luck would have it, I saw an acquaintance from long ago.

I introduced him to my darlin' and while they were dancin'
I made my friend known to my sweetheart and they commenced to dance together.

My friend stole my sweetheart from me
To my dismay, my friend took advantage of the situation and won the affections of my sweetheart, leaving me alone.

I remember the night of the tennessee waltz
I can clearly recall that fateful evening when the Tennessee Waltz was being played.

Now I know just how much I have lost
After reflecting on recent events, I've come to realize the great loss I have suffered.

Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playin' the beautiful tennessee waltz.
In the end, I was left without my beloved when they danced to the charming melody of the Tennessee Waltz.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Redd Stewart, Pee Wee King

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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