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 popularโand 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.
Trying To Get To You
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even through the valleys, too
I've been traveling night and day
I've been running all the way
Baby, trying to get to you
Ever since I read your letter
Where you said you loved me true
I've been traveling night and day
I've been running all the way
baby, trying to get to you
When I read your loving letter
Then my heart began to sing
There were many miles between us
But they didn't mean a thing
I just had to reach you, baby
In spite of all that I've been through
I kept traveling night and day
I kept running all the way
Baby, trying to get to you
Well if I had to do it over
that's exactly what Id do
I would travel night and day
And Id still run all the way
Baby, trying to get to you
Well, there's nothing that could hold me
Or that could keep me away from you
When your loving letter told me
That you really loved me true
Lord above me knows I love you
It was He who brought me through
When my way was darkest night
He would shine His brightest light
When I was trying to get to you
Elvis Presley's song Trying to Get to You is a love ballad about a man who has been traveling over long distances and through different terrains, running and making his way through the hardest of times just to get to the person he loves. The singer has received a letter from his love, where she declares her true love for him. After reading the letter, he feels overjoyed and starts his journey, which has been arduous but worth it. He is determined to reach his sweetheart's arms, no matter what obstacles lie ahead.
The lyrics are filled with emotion and passion, which are the hallmarks of Presley's music. The singer's voice reaches deep into the listener's heart, bringing to life the feelings of longing and devotion that the lyrics convey. The song is about love, but it also touches on the themes of distance, perseverance, and hope. The singer's determination to reach his love, no matter what, is an inspiring message that resonates with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been traveling over miles
I have been covering great distances on my journey.
Even through the valleys, too
I've traveled through difficult and low moments during my journey.
I've been traveling night and day
I haven't stopped for rest and have been traveling constantly, whether it's day or night.
I've been running all the way
I have been making an extensive effort, willing to do anything to reach my goal.
Baby, trying to get to you
I'm putting in all this effort specifically to reach you, my beloved.
Ever since I read your letter
My journey began after reading a special, loving letter from you.
Where you said you loved me true
In your letter, you expressed your true love for me.
When I read your loving letter
After reading your affectionate letter, I felt great emotion inside.
Then my heart began to sing
My heart felt overjoyed and filled with love.
There were many miles between us
We were separated by a great distance.
But they didn't mean a thing
The distance was irrelevant because of the depth of our love for each other.
I just had to reach you, baby
I felt an urgent need to be together with you, my dear.
In spite of all that I've been through
Despite all the challenges and hardships I've faced in my journey.
Well if I had to do it over
If I had to go through this journey again,
that's exactly what ID do
I would choose to go through it again with no hesitation.
Well, there's nothing that could hold me
There is absolutely nothing that could stop me.
Or that could keep me away from you
No obstacle could prevent me from reaching you.
Lord above me knows I love you
God knows how deeply I love you.
It was He who brought me through
God helped me to overcome all the difficulties that I faced.
When my way was darkest night
During the toughest moments of my journey.
He would shine His brightest light
God would give me hope and show me the way forward.
When I was trying to get to you
When my goal was to finally reach you.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, O/B/O CAPASSO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES SINGLETON, ROSE MARIE MCCOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Obbard
Terrific - you can really hear the piano in this mix! I'm still just floored by the results you can get with old mono recordings - great work.
Emmanuel Santana
@Tiger Rogers it is fantastic thanks you very much best regards from france
Tiger Rogers
Thanks Phil !! Cheers Tiger.
danny gerard
perfect clean mix!..love it!!!
Tiger Rogers
Thanks again Danny!! Cheers Tiger.
Nipstersongs1
The King! Amazing mix. Sounds great, Tiger. The roots of rock and roll. Best regards :))
Jim
Tiger Rogers
Thanks Jim!! Cheers Tiger.
Patti4727
Sounds great. One of my favorites
Tiger Rogers
Thanks Patti !! Cheers Tiger.
BeatlesโคGirl
Whoa Tiger this sounds amazing - a real oldie but goodie!