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.
Who Am I?
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came to dwell among the lowly such as i
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On mount calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question
Who am i?
Who am I that the king would bleed and die for?
The answer I may never know
Why he ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross he'd go
For who am i?
When I'm reminded of his words
I'll leave you never
If you'll be true I'll give to you life forever
Oh I wonder what I could have done
To deserve god's only son
To fight my battles until they're won
For who am i?
Who am I that the king would bleed and die for
Who am I that he would pray not my will, thine lord
The answer I may never know
Why he ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross he'd go
For who am i?
That to an old rugged cross he'd go, for who am i?
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "Who Am I" explores themes of self-worth, salvation, and God's unconditional love. The opening lines of the song are a reflection on how Jesus left his heavenly glory to live among the lowly and suffer for humanity's sins. This sacrifice prompts the singer to ask themselves: Who am I that this king would give up everything for me? The chorus repeats this question, emphasizing the singer's sense of awe and wonder at such love and grace.
The second verse brings up the idea of eternal life, with the singer referencing Jesus' promise not to leave them. The verse is tinged with the singer's sense of unworthiness, wondering what they could have possibly done to deserve such a gift. The chorus repeats, with the singer admitting they may never understand why they were loved so much that Jesus would die on the cross for them.
Overall, "Who Am I" is a powerful expression of the Christian faith's central themes of love and redemption, and Elvis Presley's soulful delivery of the lyrics adds to the emotional weight of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think of how he came so far from glory
As I reflect on how Jesus left his divine glory to live among us lowly humans
Came to dwell among the lowly such as i
He chose to live among people like me, who are considered unimportant in this world
To suffer shame and such disgrace
Jesus willingly endured humiliation and dishonor
On mount calvary take my place
He took my place on the cross of Calvary and died for my sins
Then I ask myself this question
As a result, I question my own worthiness and purpose
Who am i?
Who am I to deserve such love and sacrifice?
Who am I that the king would bleed and die for?
Why would the King of Kings choose to suffer and die for someone like me?
Who am I that he would pray not my will, thine lord?
Why would Jesus pray for God's will instead of his own, for someone like me?
The answer I may never know
I may never fully understand or comprehend God's love and sacrifice for me
Why he ever loved me so
I question why God could ever love someone like me so deeply
That to an old rugged cross he'd go
It's amazing to think that Jesus would choose to die such a painful death for me
For who am i?
It's a humbling and overwhelming thought to consider who I am in the eyes of God and how much he loves me
Lyrics ยฉ IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: RUSTY GOODMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colinhankinson5471
Oh people giving this thumbs down. Get a grip you sad sacks its a great song, sung by the greatest singer you'll ever hear!
@beckymcgehee9687
Jesus died for all of us. Please let him in your life and heart.
@ottiemulberry3281
I could listen to all of the gospel songs, sung by Elvis. What a magical voice! No one had a voice like him. He was so blessed. I just listened to this song, Who am I the feeling he puts into it, I can feel in my heart. I saw him in concert! And so sad drugs took over his life. My children, son and daughter are the dearest ones to me and then my family! Next to them I have closeness to vis that I don't feel with any other human going! I hope no one thinks that is crazy. It's his face as he sings,and his voice. But I love the Lord God first before anything. He is King!
@HobyAndriamoria
really a good question; Who am I Lord?? Thank you Jesus.
@russslagle3405
Elvis sung many many great songs,but his hymns were on another level,nobody sings gospel songs like him.his voice touches the soul.
@gingerbaker757
Well Said ๐ฏ AMEN ๐ฏ
@liamodriscoll3739
SOMEONE CALLED ELVIS KING ONE DAY ELVIS ANSWERED I AM NOT A KING I AM AN ENTERTAINER THERE IS ONLY ONE REAL KING OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST HERE ELVIS SINGS A BEAUTIFUL FANTASTIC RENDITION OF A BEAUTIFUL SONG OF PRAISE AND THANKS TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AMEN ๐โค
@edwinstrickland3920
We all should ask ourselves this Question! Thank You Jesus
@jamiemcmurtrey3154
His gospel music ๐ถ were the only ones he received a Grammy. You can tell itโs from his very heart โฅ๏ธ ๐๐๐ป๐
@shirleyaloysius4829
Praise to my Lord Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we are nothing.