Elvis Presley – I Got Lucky (1971)

Alright, folks, gather ’round and let’s take a trip back to 1971, a time when the King, Elvis Presley, was still reignin’ supreme. Now, by this point in his career, Elvis wasn’t the pelvis-thrusting heartthrob of the 50s anymore. He’d matured into a seasoned performer, his voice a rich baritone honed by years on the road. But don’t get me wrong, there was still that undeniable charisma, that spark that could light up a stadium.

This brings us to “I Got Lucky”, a track released in 1971 on the compilation album of the same name. This wasn’t a brand new studio recording, mind you. “I Got Lucky” was actually a collection of leftover tracks from Elvis’s movie soundtracks, songs that hadn’t quite made the cut for the original releases. But that doesn’t diminish their quality one bit. RCA Camden, the budget label that put out “I Got Lucky”, knew they had a goldmine on their hands. Elvis’s name alone was enough to sell records, but these weren’t just throwaway tunes. They showcased the versatility of the man, his ability to deliver a heartfelt ballad one moment and then turn around and belt out a rockin’ good time the next.

“1962 film Kid Galahad”

And that’s exactly what “I Got Lucky” is: a good time. It falls squarely in the country-gospel genre, a sound Elvis always excelled at. The backing band, likely The Jordanaires, lays down a steady groove, a bed of warm acoustic guitars and a gentle drumbeat. But it’s Elvis’s voice that truly takes center stage. He leans into the lyrics with a sincerity that’s impossible to ignore. There’s a touch of swagger, sure, but mostly it’s pure joy, a man singin’ about findin’ love and countin’ his blessings.

“I Got Lucky” might not have been a chart-topper, but it became a fan favorite – a hidden gem for those who dug a little deeper into the Elvis Presley catalog. It’s a testament to his enduring legacy, a reminder that even the outtakes, the B-sides, could be pure gold when it came to The King. So, put on your blue suede shoes, crank up the volume, and let “I Got Lucky” transport you back to a simpler time, a time when Elvis Presley ruled the airwaves and his voice could make you believe anything was possible.