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Introduction:

“(That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me” is a song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1973, originally written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. The song was first popularized by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1965 and has since been covered by various artists across genres, including Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.

Elvis’s version captures the essence of the song’s themes of emotional detachment and the consequences of unreciprocated love. The lyrics depict a narrator who coldly warns their lover about the heartbreak they will face for loving someone who cannot commit. This bittersweet tone fits well with Presley’s later work, which often explored more mature and somber themes of love and loss compared to his earlier rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Released on his Elvis (Fool) album in July 1973, Presley’s rendition of the song stands out as a country-folk ballad that differs from his mainstream rock and pop hits. The song’s melancholic tone and simple, poignant message are reflective of Lightfoot’s original style, which Presley successfully adapts into his own vocal delivery.

While Elvis’s version may not have been as commercially successful as some of his other tracks, it showcases his versatility as a performer capable of interpreting songs from different genres. The song is a reminder of his continued evolution as an artist during the 1970s.

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Lyrics:

“(That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me”

That’s what you get for loving me
That’s what you get for loving me
Everything we had is gone, you can see
That’s what you get for loving meNow don’t you shed a tear for me
I ain’t the love you thought I’d be
I’ve had a hundred just like you
But don’t be blue I’ll have a thousand before I’m through

That’s what you get for loving me
That’s what you get for loving me
Everything we had is gone, you can see
That’s what you get for loving me

Now there you go, you’re cryin’ again
You should have known how things would end

But then some day when your poor heart is on the mend
I just might pass this way again

That’s what you get for loving me
That’s what you get for loving me
Everything we had is gone, you can see
That’s what you get for loving me

That’s what you get for loving me
That’s what you get for loving me
Everything we had is gone, you can see
That’s what you get for loving me