About The Song

Love Me Tender, a song that evokes memories as warm and familiar as sunshine on a summer day. Sung by the one and only Elvis Presley, this ballad isn’t just a love song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a tune that transports you back to a simpler time, a time of bobby socks and poodle skirts, jukeboxes blasting in diners, and the electrifying emergence of a new sound and a new icon: Elvis.

Released in 1956, Love Me Tender wasn’t originally intended for Elvis. It was written for a film of the same name, a Civil War drama starring Elvis in his acting debut. However, the song’s gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics resonated so deeply with audiences that it quickly overshadowed the film itself, becoming a runaway hit and solidifying Elvis’s position as a musical phenomenon.

The song’s charm lies in its simplicity. The lyrics, with their repeated refrain of “Love me tender, love me true,” are a straightforward declaration of love, devoid of complex metaphors or flowery language. Yet, it’s precisely this directness that makes the song so powerful. It speaks to a universal longing for connection, for devotion, for the unwavering commitment of another soul.

Elvis’s velvety baritone voice infuses the song with an undeniable intimacy. He caresses each word, conveying a tenderness that transcends the innocence of the lyrics. There’s a vulnerability in his voice, a yearning that resonates with anyone who has ever loved and been loved.

Love Me Tender wasn’t without its controversies. The song’s title, originally “Love Me,” was deemed too suggestive by some radio stations, prompting the addition of the word “Tender” to appease censors. Yet, even with this alteration, the song’s impact remained undeniable. It topped the charts for weeks, selling over a million copies within its first month of release.

But Love Me Tender is more than just a chart-topping hit; it’s a cultural touchstone. It’s a song that evokes a sense of nostalgia, a reminder of a time when life seemed simpler, music was bolder, and an electrifying young singer named Elvis took the world by storm. It’s a song that reminds us of the enduring power of love, sung in a voice that continues to resonate with generations of listeners.

Video

Lyric

“Love Me Tender”
(from “Elvis (NBC TV Special)” soundtrack)