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.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't need soft words to say
I'll miss you and I can stay a while
You'll see it in my eyes and when I smile
If I get home before midnight
While you're still sleeping tight
I'll take you in my arms and there you'll stay
Writing letters everyday
Never really seem to say
The way I feel deep in this heart of mine
Though I'm half a world away
If we're patient and we pray
Know I'll get my chance with you this time
If I get home on Christmas day
I won't need soft words to say
I'll miss you and I will stay a while
You'll see it in my eyes and when I smile
If I get home before midnight
And you're still sleeping tight
I'll take you in my arms and there you'll stay
If I get home on Christmas day
Ahh, ah-ah, ohh, oh-oh
I'll take you in my arms and there you'll stay
If I get home on Christmas day
The lines in the first stanza of Elvis's song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" express the singer's joy and excitement about the arrival of the Christmas season. The sound of the bells ringing in the distance signifies that joyous time of year. The lyrics also suggest that the bells remind people that it’s time for everyone to celebrate and spread cheer. In the second part of the first stanza, Elvis hears a choir singing and the sound fills his heart with happiness and peace. It suggests the role of music in making people happy and in bringing them close together.
In the second stanza, Elvis talks about the kind of joy that is associated with children. When a child tells Santa what they want, the smile it brings to their face cannot be compared to anything else. The singer then wonders why this feeling can't go on endlessly and why every day cannot be like Christmas, as it is such a wonderful period of joy and love. This last bit of the song suggests that Christmas is not just about receiving presents. It’s about shared experiences, memories, and imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the bells
I am able to hear the Christmas bells chiming in the distance
Saying Christmas is near
These bells are an indication that Christmas is approaching soon
They ring out to tell the world
The bells ring loudly to announce the holiday season to everyone around
That this is the season of cheer
The purpose of the bells' ringing is to signify the joyful and festive nature of this time of year
I hear a choir
I hear a singing group of people harmonizing together in song
Singing sweetly somewhere
The choir's performance is beautiful and pleasing to my ears, but I am unsure of where they are located
And a glow fills my heart
The music the choir is singing fills me with warmth and happiness
I'm at peace with the world
Listening to the choir's music helps to calm and relax me, and I feel more content with everything around me
As the sound of their singing fills the air
Their sweet voices are surrounding me and I feel immersed in their performance
Oh, why can't every day be like Christmas
I wish that every day could be filled with the same joy and excitement that Christmas brings to people
Why can't that feeling go on endlessly
It is disappointing that this feeling of happiness and holiday spirit cannot last forever
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
If every day was filled with the same happiness, joy, and holiday spirit as Christmas, it would be amazing
What a wonderful world this would be
The world would be a much happier and positive place if every day was like Christmas
I hear a child
I can hear the voice of a young person
Telling Santa what to bring
The child is making a request to Santa about what gift they would like to receive for Christmas
And a smile upon his tiny face
The child has a small but happy expression on their face as they make their request
Is worth more to me than anything
Seeing the joy and wonder on a child's face is priceless and very valuable to me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tony Macaulay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josipjoeybosnjak
Ed, thank you for everything you have done. I really appreciate you greatly and your awesome channel.
Have a Blessed & Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Stay warm out there my friend
☺️🎊👏🏻👍🏻🎄🥂⚡️⚡️🙏🙏🙌
@eleanorhoneywill6527
Merry Christmas Ed and Family. Stay safe! 🎼🎶🎵🕺🏻😃👍❤️
@ElvisPresley674
Ed, hope you have an amazing Christmas and Christmas Eve with your family enjoy the time with them and the excitement on their face when they open their presents take care
@craigd1310
Great list! The Sun records are a nice final touch and I dig the Chicken o' the Sea promo. I've got an ELVIS list and half of it is on display behind you - scarf, cardboard stand-up, "Gospel" Elvis figure, King's Court poster to name a few. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! Thanks for the video!
@Stevejoe121
Hi Ed I love your 12 days of Christmas wish list. Thanks for your YouTube videos over the last year. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas to you and your family from Scotland 😊
@grantbaensch9726
Some great items there Ed and hopefully one day you get some. I don’t think there was ever a 70’s masters LP box so one you can cross off!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and look forward to more videos!!
@Kymoon99
Absolutely 💯 Ed, Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎅🎄💙❤️🥶❄️
@ericzeidman
Merry Christmas Ed to you and all your family, may you continue to enjoy with them for many years to come.
@paulshilton3520
Have a great Christmas and New year Ed,all the very best from Brisbane. Thankyou for all the great content this past year 👍👍⚡⚡⚡
@nickmele9968
Buying Elvis Never stops. There is always something even if it’s an upgrade