I Want You, I Need You, I Love You – Elvis Presley

Introduction:

“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” is one of Elvis Presley’s iconic tracks, released in 1956 as a follow-up to his breakthrough hit “Heartbreak Hotel.” Written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff, the song marked Presley’s continued success during the early phase of his career, reaching No. 1 on the country charts and No. 3 on the pop charts in the U.S. Its tender, emotional lyrics, delivered with Elvis’s signature voice, helped cement his image as both a heartthrob and a versatile performer.

The recording session for the song took place under challenging circumstances. In April 1956, Presley flew to Nashville for a last-minute recording session, but technical difficulties during the flight led to a stressful arrival. This tension, combined with Presley’s exhaustion from extensive touring, impacted the session, resulting in only this one song being completed. Despite the difficulties, the track turned out to be a commercial success.

Released as a single by RCA Victor, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” was quickly embraced by fans and critics alike, securing Presley’s status as a rising star in American music. The song also contributed to the development of his signature ballad style, blending elements of country and pop with rock ‘n’ roll influences. Its success played a crucial role in establishing his dominance on the charts during the mid-1950s.

Video:

Lyrics:

“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You”

[Ira Kosloff, Maurice Mysels]

Hold me close, hold me tight
Make me thrill with delight
Let me know where I stand from the start
I want you, I need you, I love you
With all my heart

Ev’ry time that you’re near
All my cares disappear
Darling, you’re all that I’m living for
I want you, I need you, I love you
More and more

I thought I could live without romance
Until you came to me
But now I know that
I will go on loving you eternally

Won’t you please be my own?
Never leave me alone
‘Cause I die ev’ry time we’re apart
I want you, I need you, I love you
With all my heart

Well, I thought I could live without romance
Until you came to me
But now I know that
I will go on loving you eternally

Won’t you please be my own?
Never leave me alone
‘Cause I die ev’ry time we’re apart
I want you, I need you, I love you
With all my heart