Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Introduction:

Are You Lonesome Tonight?, a poignant ballad sung by the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley, was released in 1960. This melancholic tune, imbued with the sounds of country music, stands out from Presley’s usual rock and roll stylings. The song features a lonesome narrator, yearning for connection on a quiet night, and casts a question to unseen strangers, wondering if they too share his feelings of isolation.

Are You Lonesome Tonight? was produced by the legendary Chet Atkins, who played a pivotal role in shaping the country music scene. Atkins and Presley collaborated on numerous recordings throughout Presley’s career, and Are You Lonesome Tonight? stands out as one of their most successful. The song became Presley’s eleventh chart-topping hit on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, solidifying his place as a musical powerhouse.

Are You Lonesome Tonight? transcended genres and musical boundaries. The song’s universal themes of loneliness and longing for connection resonated not only with Presley’s rock and roll fanbase but also with country music audiences. The song found a home on both pop and country music charts, a testament to its enduring appeal.

Even today, Are You Lonesome Tonight? remains one of Presley’s most recognizable songs. Its iconic melody and Presley’s signature vocals have ensured its place in music history. The song’s enduring popularity is a powerful reminder of Presley’s enduring influence and the timeless quality of a song that speaks to the human experience of loneliness and the desire for connection.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

Are you lonesome tonight
Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart?
Does your memory stray to a bright summer day
When I kissed you and called you sweetheart?Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?
Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?
Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?
Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?

I wonder if you’re lonesome tonight
You know someone said that the world’s a stage
And each of us must play a part
Fate had me playing in love with you as my sweetheart
Act one was where we met
I loved you at first glance
You read your lines so cleverly and never missed a cue
Then came act two, you seemed to change, you acted strange
And why I’ve never known
Honey, you lied when you said you loved me
And I had no cause to doubt you
But I’d rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now the stage is bare and I’m standing there
With emptiness all around
And if you won’t come back to me
Then they can bring the curtain down

Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?
Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?