Introduction:
“Welcome to My World” is a song famously performed by Elvis Presley, though it was originally written by Ray Winkler and John Hathcock in 1961. Elvis Presley recorded his version on March 18, 1973, and it became one of his signature ballads that displayed his affinity for country and gospel music, as well as his ability to interpret a wide range of material. The song was released as part of his album “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite”, which was a live recording of Presley’s legendary concert broadcast on January 14, 1973. This concert made history as the first live concert by a solo artist to be broadcast globally via satellite.
“Welcome to My World” fits firmly within the country-pop genre, with its smooth, crooning melody and gentle arrangement, highlighting Presley’s vocal control and emotional delivery. Although Elvis was known for rock and roll, his later years saw him gravitate more toward slower, more soulful pieces like this, drawing on his influences from gospel, country, and traditional pop music.
The “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite” album, which includes “Welcome to My World,” achieved notable success, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 and becoming a worldwide hit. The concert itself was viewed by an estimated 1 to 1.5 billion people across over 40 countries, a groundbreaking achievement in entertainment history. Though “Welcome to My World” was not released as a single, it became a fan favorite, especially in Presley’s later live performances where he often included it in his setlists.
The song’s lyrical content invites the listener into a world of peace and contentment, themes that resonated with Elvis’s fans, particularly during the final years of his career when his music often reflected a more introspective and reflective tone. While Elvis didn’t originally write the song, his rendition solidified its place in his iconic repertoire.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Welcome To My World”
Welcome to my world,
Won’t you come on in
Miracles, I guess
Still happen now and then
Step into my heart
Leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world
Built with you in mindKnock and the door shall be open
Seek and you will find
Ask and you’ll be given
The key to this heart of mineI’ll be waiting there
With my arms unfurled
Waiting just for you
Welcome to my world
Welcome to my world