Introduction:
“We Can Make the Morning” is a song written by American songwriter Jay Ramsey and recorded by Elvis Presley on May 20, 1971, at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. The track was released as a single on January 4, 1972, with “Until It’s Time for You to Go” as the A-side. Subsequently, it was included in Elvis’s sixteenth studio album, “Elvis Now,” which was released on February 20, 1972.
The recording session featured a lineup of accomplished musicians: James Burton and Chip Young on guitar, Norbert Putnam on bass, Jerry Carrigan and Kenneth Buttrey on drums, David Briggs on piano, Glen Spreen on organ, and Charlie McCoy contributing organ, harmonica, and percussion. Background vocals were provided by Millie Kirkham, Temple Riser, Ginger Holladay, and The Imperials.
Musically, “We Can Make the Morning” is a pop ballad that showcases Elvis’s emotive vocal delivery. The song’s arrangement builds in intensity, complementing its hopeful lyrics about overcoming adversity and looking forward to a brighter future.
Upon its release, the single achieved notable success. Listed as a double A-side with “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” it peaked at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Easy Listening chart in March 1972. In the United Kingdom, the single reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1972. The album “Elvis Now” itself reached number 43 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 27, 1992.
“We Can Make the Morning” stands as a testament to Elvis Presley’s versatility as an artist, blending elements of pop and gospel to create a powerful and uplifting track. Its inclusion in “Elvis Now” highlights the eclectic nature of the album, which spans various genres and showcases the breadth of Elvis’s musical influences during this period of his career.