Elvis Presley – Promised Land

Introduction:

In 1975, a time when disco was pulsating on the airwaves and rock music was undergoing a significant transformation, Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll, released a song that resonated with a yearning for a better future. “Promised Land”, the title track from his twenty-first studio album, captured a sentiment of searching and a desire to escape hardship.

“Promised Land” marked a return to Presley’s rock and roll roots after a period of exploring soundtrack work and balladry. Recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records in Memphis, the birthplace of soul music, the song was written by rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry. This collaboration brought together two titans of American music, fusing Presley’s undeniable charisma with Berry’s signature guitar riffs and driving rhythm. Dick Baxter and Mike Moran handled the engineering duties, ensuring the raw energy of the performance was preserved.

While “Promised Land” wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit, it received critical acclaim for its powerful sound and introspective lyrics. The song opens with a sense of dislocation, with Presley singing about being woken up “high over Albuquerque” on a “jet to the promised land.” This imagery sets the stage for a journey, both physical and metaphorical, towards a place of hope and opportunity. The lyrics, though not explicitly political, resonated with a generation grappling with social and economic challenges in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.

The song’s driving rhythm section, punctuated by Berry’s characteristic guitar work, propels the narrative forward. Presley’s vocals are a masterclass in controlled intensity. He seamlessly shifts from smooth crooning to impassioned pleas, conveying the yearning for a better life with both desperation and determination. “Promised Land” stands as a testament to Presley’s enduring ability to connect with his audience on a deeply personal level.

Despite not reaching the lofty chart positions of his earlier hits, “Promised Land” has become a fan favorite and a staple of Presley’s live performances. It continues to be celebrated for its powerful message and its place within the broader context of Presley’s musical evolution. “Promised Land” serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the hope for a brighter future can be a powerful motivator.

Video:

Lyrics:

Aw, get on it

I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia, California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound and rode him into Raleigh and on across Caroline
We had motor trouble that turned into a struggle halfway across Alabam’
Well, that ‘hound broke down and left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham

Right away, I bought me a thorough train ticket right across Mississippi clean
I was on that midnight flyer out of Birmingham, Smokin’ into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana, just help me get to Houston town
There are people there who care a little about me
And they won’t let the poor boy down, take it

Sure as you’re born, they bought me a silk suit, put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Albuquerque on a jet to the Promised Land
A-workin’ on a T-bone steak à la carte, flyin’ over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes, he would set us at the terminal gate
Swin’ low, chariot, come down easy, Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings and let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles, get me Norfolk, Virginia, Tidewater 4-1009
Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land callin’
And the poor boy is on the line

A-workin’ on a T-bone steak à la carte, flyin’ over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes, he would set us at the terminal gate
Swin’ low, chariot, come down easy, Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings and let me make it to the telephone

Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia, Tidewater 4-1009
Tell the folks back home this is the Promised Land callin’
And the poor boy is on the line