Introduction:
“Love Letters” was first recorded by Elvis Presley in 1966 during a pivotal period in his career. The song, originally composed by Victor Young and Edward Heyman in 1945, had previously gained popularity in 1962 through an R&B rendition by Ketty Lester. Elvis’s recording came amid a return to studio work in Nashville with producer Felton Jarvis, following a two-year break from non-soundtrack music. His heartfelt, restrained delivery, coupled with Floyd Cramer’s delicate piano arrangement, allowed Elvis to bring an intimate touch to this classic, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and resonating with fans in the UK.
In 1970, Elvis revisited “Love Letters” and recorded a second version that would appear on his 1971 album Love Letters from Elvis. This rendition, produced with a more soulful and emotive vocal quality, reflected the deeper timbre that characterized his voice in the 1970s. While this version added orchestral strings to intensify the atmosphere, fans often debate which recording is superior, with some favoring the soft purity of the original and others appreciating the mature, soulful depth of the 1970 take.
Both versions highlight distinct phases in Elvis’s artistic evolution, with the 1966 version showcasing his comeback energy and the 1970 recording reflecting a more seasoned, introspective style. Elvis’s decision to record “Love Letters” twice in such close succession is unique in his discography, underscoring the song’s personal resonance and his continued creative exploration during that era.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Love Letters”
Love letters straight from your heart
Keep us so near while apart
I’m not alone in the night
When I can have all the love you writeI memorize ev’ry line
I kiss the name that you sign
And darlin, then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart