Elvis Presley – King Of The Whole Wide World (HD)

Introduction:

King of the Whole Wide World, a 1962 rock and roll ballad, holds a special place in the vast collection of songs recorded by the iconic Elvis Presley. While not achieving the chart-topping success of some of his other hits, the song’s enduring charm and Presley’s heartfelt performance have secured its place as a fan favorite.

Composed by songwriting team Bob Roberts and Ruth Batchelor, “King of the Whole Wide World” was featured in the 1962 film Kid Galahad, Presley’s twentieth movie. Unlike many of Presley’s film appearances where a song would be specifically written for the film, “King of the Whole Wide World” did not share the same title as the movie. The song played over the opening credits, setting the tone for the story to come. The film itself was a boxing drama where Presley played a young man seeking to follow in the footsteps of a legendary boxer.

The recording of “King of the Whole Wide World” took place on October 27, 1962, at Radio Recorders’ Studio B in Hollywood. Interestingly, it took Presley a significant amount of time to perfect the song. While 31 takes were attempted the day before, the final master recording was chosen from take number 4 on the 27th. The song was then further polished with orchestral overdubs at Allied Artists’ sound stage.

Although “King of the Whole Wide World” only reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, it is believed that its chart performance may have been affected by the release timing. According to Elvis Presley’s official website, another of Presley’s songs, “She’s Not You,” was just entering the Top 100 at the same time, potentially dividing attention.

Despite not being a chartbuster, “King of the Whole Wide World” has resonated with fans over the years. The song’s lyrics explore themes of wealth, contentment, and the power of self-expression. The message centers on the idea that true happiness doesn’t come from material possessions but from the ability to find joy and fulfillment in life’s simple pleasures. This relatable concept, coupled with Presley’s sincere vocals, have made “King of the Whole Wide World” a favorite for fans across generations. The song continues to be enjoyed for its emotional delivery and its place within the larger story of Presley’s musical career.

Video:

Lyrics:

“King Of The Whole Wide World”

A poor man wants the oyster
A rich man wants the pearl
But the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
Come on let’s sing, sing brother sing
‘Cos the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
The rich man wants the princess
The poor man just wants a girl
But the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
Come on let’s sing, sing brother sing
‘Cos the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
A poor man wants to be a rich man
A rich man wants to be a king
But the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
Come on let’s sing, sing brother sing
‘Cos the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
Come on let’s sing, sing brother sing
‘Cos the man who can sing when he hasn’t got a thing
He’s the king of the whole wide world
Of the whole wide world
Of the whole wide world