Elvis Presley – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – 1974

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The iconic song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” was originally penned in 1964 by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. The initial recording was done by The Righteous Brothers and released as a single in the same year. Their rendition quickly skyrocketed to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Righteous Brothers’ version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” is widely regarded as the quintessential expression of Spector’s renowned “Wall of Sound” production style, characterized by its dramatic string arrangement and emotive vocals courtesy of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.

Merely a year later in 1965, Elvis Presley decided to cover the song for his album “Harum Scarum.” While it didn’t achieve the same commercial success as The Righteous Brothers’ original, Elvis’ interpretation of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” is still considered one of his standout recordings from the 1960s. His soulful yet restrained vocal performance lent the song a different emotional tone compared to the original. Furthermore, the instrumentation underwent alterations, with Elvis’ version adopting a more minimalist arrangement highlighted by piano and backing vocals from The Jordanaires. This streamlined production allowed Elvis’s voice to shine without competing with lavish instrumentation.

At the time of Elvis’s recording, he was still at the peak of his career, having previously released chart-topping soundtrack albums like “G.I. Blues” and “Blue Hawaii” in 1960 and 1961 respectively. His fame and success continued into the mid-60s with films such as “Harum Scarum” and “Frankie and Johnny,” as well as chart-topping singles like “Crying in the Chapel.” Consequently, his cover of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” benefitted from his immense star power and performed well in terms of sales, even if it didn’t match The Righteous Brothers’ commercial success.

Elvis’ rendition of the song also marked a significant shift in his artistic output during the 1960s. His films and soundtracks from the late ’50s to early ’60s predominantly featured upbeat, lighthearted songs as their focal points. However, beginning in 1964, Elvis started gravitating toward recording more serious, adult contemporary ballads like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” This signaled his aspiration to be taken more seriously as an artist and expand beyond his initial image as an early rock and roll/pop sensation.

While it may not possess the same definitive status as The Righteous Brothers’ original rendition, Elvis Presley’s version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” remains a significant release. His somber, heartfelt interpretation of the lyrics encapsulated his evolution toward more mature musical directions in the mid-1960s. The recording captured Elvis at the peak of his vocal and artistic prowess, before the decline of his career later in the decade. For both Elvis aficionados and fans of the song itself, his rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” is a must-listen.

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Here are the lyrics of the song: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”