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

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The iconic song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” was originally written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil in 1964. It was first recorded by The Righteous Brothers and released as a single that same year. Their version quickly became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With its dramatic string arrangement and emotional vocals by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, The Righteous Brothers’ recording of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” is considered by many to be the ultimate expression of Spector’s famous “Wall of Sound” production style.

Just one year later in 1965, Elvis Presley decided to cover the song for his album Harum Scarum. Though it failed to match the commercial success of The Righteous Brothers’ original, Elvis’ version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” is still regarded as one of his finest recordings from the 1960s. His soulful yet restrained vocal performance gave the song a different mood compared to the original. The instrumentation was also altered, with Elvis’ version featuring a more stripped-down arrangement dominated by piano and backing vocals from The Jordanaires. This simpler production allowed Elvis’ voice to take center stage rather than compete with lavish instrumentation.

By the time Elvis recorded the song, he was still at the peak of his career, having released the soundtrack albums G.I. Blues and Blue Hawaii which both hit #1 on the charts in 1960 and 1961 respectively. His fame and success continued into the mid ’60s with the films Harum Scarum and Frankie and Johnny as well as chart-topping singles like “Crying in the Chapel.” Therefore, his cover of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” benefited from his star power and sold very well despite not matching The Righteous Brothers’ version commercially.

Elvis’ recording of the song also marked an important transition in his artistic output during the 1960s. His films and soundtracks of the late ’50s and early ’60s frequently featured lighthearted, upbeat songs as their centerpieces. But starting in 1964, Elvis began to shift towards recording more serious adult contemporary ballads like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” This signaled his desire to be taken more seriously as an artist and expand beyond his initial early rock and roll / pop image.

So while it may not be as definitive as The Righteous Brothers’ original take, Elvis Presley’s rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” remains a significant release. His somber, heartfelt delivery of the lyrics encapsulated his growth into more mature musical directions in the mid 1960s. And the recording captured Elvis’ voice and artistry at a prime moment, before the decline of his career later in the decade. For both Elvis fans and fans of the song itself, his version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” is an essential listen.

Let’s enjoy the song through the video!

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