Introduction:
Elvis Presley recorded his rendition of “Green, Green Grass of Home” in 1975 during a session for his Today album at RCA Studio C in Hollywood. Originally written by Curly Putman in 1964, the song gained popularity when Tom Jones released it as a hit single in 1966. It became widely recognized as a country and pop classic, capturing a nostalgic and poignant theme of returning home. In the song, the narrator imagines a bittersweet reunion with family and friends in his hometown, only to awaken to the harsh reality of being in prison, which adds a haunting twist to the lyrics.
Elvis’s interpretation of “Green, Green Grass of Home” brought a unique blend of his emotive vocal style to the track, emphasizing the song’s themes of longing and reflection. This recording took place during a period of personal and professional challenges for Elvis, which may have lent his version of the song an added depth. The Today album, where the song appears, is often regarded as one of his later works that maintains the essence of his earlier expressive performances.
Though not as commercially dominant as Jones’s version, Elvis’s take on “Green, Green Grass of Home” is appreciated by fans for its heartfelt delivery. It remains a testament to his ability to convey deep emotion and connect with timeless themes of home and nostalgia through his music. The song endures as a powerful reminder of Elvis’s versatility and interpretive skill, even in the final years of his recording career.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Green, Green Grass Of Home”
As I step down from the train,
And there to meet me is my mama and papa
Down the road I look and there runs Mary
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of homeYes, they’ll all be there to meet me,
All creatures smiling sweetly
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home
The old house is still standing,
Though the paint is cracked and dry
And there’s an old oak tree that I used to play on
Down the lane I’ll walk with my sweet Mary
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home
Then I awake and look around me
Cold gray walls surround me
And I realize that I was only dreamin’
There’s a guard and there’s a sad old padre
Arm and arm we’ll walk at daybreak
Again I’ll touch the green, green grass of home
Yes, they’ll all be there to meet me
In the shadow of that old oak tree
As they lay me beneath the green, green grass of home