Riding The Rainbow – Elvis Presley

Introduction:

“Riding the Rainbow” is a song recorded by Elvis Presley for the soundtrack of the 1962 film Kid Galahad. The track, written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, showcases the style of early 1960s Elvis soundtracks that blended pop with upbeat rockabilly elements. Weisman, one of the most prolific songwriters for Presley, contributed significantly to his movie songs, having written over fifty tracks for the artist.

Kid Galahad was a musical drama film directed by Phil Karlson, where Presley portrayed Walter Gulick, a small-town mechanic who becomes a successful boxer. The film was part of a series of light-hearted musical movies that Elvis starred in during the 1960s, cementing his “clean-cut” image and appeal to a broad audience. As a key part of the film’s musical narrative, “Riding the Rainbow” exemplified the optimistic tone of Elvis’ movies during this era.

The soundtrack for Kid Galahad was recorded in October 1961 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. The session was noted for its efficient recording process and included a series of tracks meant to capture Elvis’ vocal versatility. “Riding the Rainbow” was released on the soundtrack EP on October 9, 1962, alongside five other songs from the film. The EP itself reached number 30 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, illustrating the continuing popularity of Presley’s music during this period.

“Riding the Rainbow” reflects the typical early ’60s Elvis Presley movie formula, merging catchy melodies with light, feel-good themes. Although the song did not gain the same lasting fame as some of his other film tracks, it remains an essential part of the Kid Galahad soundtrack, exemplifying the era’s combination of music and cinema in Elvis’ career.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Riding The Rainbow”