Introduction:
“How Can You Lose What You Never Had” is a track recorded by Elvis Presley on February 21, 1967, during sessions at RCA Studio B in Nashville. It was released later that year as part of the Clambake movie soundtrack album. Though not included in the film itself, the song stood out as one of the better tracks from the album, which featured music for the 1967 film Clambake, a light-hearted musical comedy.
Written by Ben Weisman and Sid Wayne, two prolific songwriters who contributed to many of Presley’s films, the song has a bluesy feel with a blend of pop and country influences. Elvis’s vocal performance, though described by some listeners as tired or uninspired, still resonates with the song’s melancholy theme of self-reflection on love and loss. The lyrics explore the emotional paradox of grieving over something—or someone—that was never truly yours to begin with.
Musically, the track featured contributions from top Nashville session musicians, including Charlie McCoy on harmonica and guitar, Bob Moore on bass, and Floyd Cramer on piano, adding to the song’s laid-back, soulful tone. Though Clambake as an album received mixed reviews, “How Can You Lose What You Never Had” is frequently noted as one of its stronger songs.
Video:
Lyrics:
“How Can You Lose What You Never Had?”
(from “Clambake” soundtrack)How can you lose what you never had
I tell myself when I’m feeling sadYou don’t have the right to cry
You believed your own lie
It’s your fault because
You thought that she was yours
Think it over once, think it over twice
I wish I could take my own advice
I know I should be glad, why does it hurt so bad
How can you lose what you never hadYou don’t have the right to cry
You believed your own lie
It’s your fault because
You thought that she was yours
Think it over once, think it over twice
I wish I could take my own advice
I know I should be glad, why does it hurt so bad
How can you lose what you never had
How can you lose what you never had