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.
We Call On Him
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We call on Him to light our darkest day
Why must it be that only when we're lonely
And hopes are dim, we call on Him
Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way
To count our blessings and thank Him while we may
We ask of Him a reason to go on
When our cup of joy becomes a cup of sorrow
Filled to the brim, we call on Him
Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way
To count our blessings and thank Him while we may
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "We Call On Him" are a commentary on human nature and our dependence on religion or spirituality in times of hardship or loneliness. The song starts with the lines "We call on Him whenever storm clouds gather, We call on Him to light our darkest day". The singer acknowledges that people tend to turn to a higher power when things start going wrong in their lives. They call out to God to provide them with strength and hope in difficult times.
The chorus of the song questions this behavior, asking why we only call on God when we are lonely, hopeless, or lost. The lines "Why must it be that only when we're lonely, And hopes are dim, we call on Him" suggest that we should be more active in our spiritual lives, not only in times of need but also in times of plenty. We should count our blessings and be grateful to God for all the good things in our lives.
The second verse of the song drives this message home, saying "Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way, To count our blessings and thank Him while we may". The singer is urging listeners to appreciate what they have and to turn to God out of gratitude rather than desperation. The remainder of the song reinforces this message, highlighting that we should ask God for a reason to keep going before we hit rock bottom.
Overall, "We Call On Him" suggests that our relationship with God or spirituality should be an active and ongoing aspect of our lives, rather than something we only turn to in times of difficulty. We should seek gratitude and hope in our daily lives, and not wait until we hit rock bottom to ask for help.
Line by Line Meaning
We call on Him whenever storm clouds gather
We ask for His help whenever we encounter problems or challenges in our lives.
We call on Him to light our darkest day
We seek His guidance and comfort when we face difficult and trying times in our lives.
Why must it be that only when we're lonely
Why do we only remember God when we feel alone or neglected in life?
And hopes are dim, we call on Him
We seek His aid when our hopes for a better future appear bleak and uncertain.
Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way
Why don't we seek His support and guidance before we get lost or go astray in life?
To count our blessings and thank Him while we may
We should recognize and appreciate the good things in our lives and express our gratitude to Him while we still can.
We call on Him when no one else will answer
We turn to Him for help and advice when there is no one else we can rely on or trust.
We ask of Him a reason to go on
We seek His guidance and encouragement to find the motivation and strength to continue our journey in life.
When our cup of joy becomes a cup of sorrow
When the happiness and satisfaction we once had in our lives turns into sadness, grief, or disappointment, we seek His comfort and solace.
Filled to the brim, we call on Him
When our problems or challenges become too much for us to handle, we ask for His help and support.
Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way
Why don't we seek His aid and assistance before we find ourselves lost or confused in life?
To count our blessings and thank Him while we may
We should be thankful for the good things in our lives and recognize His presence and influence in our lives while we still can.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ben Weisman, Fred Karger, Sid Wayne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carrol Roberts
Have not heard this song before. Without saying, Elvis has made another wonderful song.
Vincent Defeo
A lot of us Elvis fans probably never would've started listening to gospel if not foe elvis,he was the first superstar to introduce gospel songs to most fans,especially at his concerts A lot of artists would be scared to try something different. But Elvis believed in it,and wanted to show the world he truly loved Christ,do you realize what guts that took,it started in 1966 when he recorded "the how great thou art"albumi,so once the fans started listening to Elvis gospel music ,they could have found christ starting to enter into their lives thats why i said Elvis was heaven sent ✌
Caroline Ballard
A star 🌟 in this world that had faith. Impossible to find anymore in the “stars” of today. Please pray for stars who aren’t afraid to show God in their music! 🇺🇸
Arnold Ronning
Justin Bieber is a believer. No kidding. And think of Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton. All these musical artists have recorded Gospel songs.
But yes, what a blessing Elvis was to the world.
gary johnson
Thank you
두둥개
I agree. Amen!
Linda Collins
This song is so true. No matter what Elvis did he never lost faith and he ALWAYS sung Gospel music. Love this song. I listen to his gospel music almost every night.Heard it the first time after someone I love had an a bad accidentally and we know they are alive by the Grace of God.
Cocoa Femme
7/23/20: I call on God Almighty to relieve my mother's suffering and also to strengthen my faith in knowing that His Will Be Done....Amen!! 8/5/20: Her healing came in the form of eternal sleep. Rest In Power, Mommy 🙏🏿🙏🏿👭👭.
Cocoa Femme
@Mana Lisa: Thank you for your sentiment.
Bruno Klassen
Sie schläft nicht ewig!!🙏🙏