LOVE ME TENDER
MOVIE:
Love Me Tender (1956) is Elvis' first film, a Western situated just after the Civil War.
Elvis playing Clint Reno gets married to his brother's girl thinking his brother died in the war,
but after the supposedly dead brother shows up on the scene, troubles follow with a tragic ending.
The film has four songs, including the wonderful love ballad "Love Me Tender", which of course also gives the movie its name.
With the doubtful guidance of 'Colonel' Tom Parker, a Dutch immigrant made an honorary colonel,
in 1956 Elvis was contracted into his first role, in a movie to be called Love Me Tender.
And it was decided that in it he would sing his first-ever non-rock ballad. (Sic)
So a song was needed. The music director on the movie was Ken Darby,
who found the 95-year-old melody Aura Lee. The simple tune needed no restructuring, but new words were called for.
It is believed that Darby himself was responsible for the revised lyrics, but he gave
the credits to his wife Vera Matson - and Presley. So was born the song Love Me Tender.
Elvis recorded it in August 1956 on a large sound stage without his usual band and backing singers.
The second take was declared satisfactory and Love Me Tender was unleashed on a Presley-enthusiastic world.
It topped the Billboard chart, remaining number one for five weeks.
MODERN GRAPHICS:
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