That’s All Right – Elvis Presley (’68 Comeback Special)

Introduction:

Elvis Presley’s performance of “That’s All Right” during the 1968 NBC special, commonly known as the ’68 Comeback Special, marked a pivotal moment in his career. By 1968, Elvis had been out of the live performance spotlight for nearly a decade, his career weighed down by years of formulaic movies and declining relevance amidst the rise of rock’s new generation. The ’68 Comeback Special was designed to reintroduce Elvis to audiences and revive his status as a rock ‘n’ roll icon.

“That’s All Right” was one of the key songs in the special’s “sit-down” segment, where Elvis performed informally with his original bandmates, guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana. The song, originally recorded in 1954 at Sun Studios, was Elvis’ first single and played a crucial role in launching his career. In this performance, Elvis recaptured the energy and spirit of his early rockabilly days, sitting on stage in his iconic black leather outfit, surrounded by a small audience. The rawness and spontaneity of the moment stood in stark contrast to his heavily scripted movie appearances of the previous years.

This performance symbolized Elvis’ return to his roots, as he effortlessly blended humor, charisma, and musicianship. The audience responded enthusiastically, and the performance helped cement the special’s success, reminding the world why Elvis was the “King of Rock and Roll.” The ’68 Comeback Special revitalized his career, leading to a new phase of recording and live performances​.

Video:

Lyrics:

“That’s All Right, Mama”