Introduction:
“I Don’t Want To” by Elvis Presley is a playful yet emotionally conflicted song that appears on the soundtrack of the 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls! The song was written by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre, typical contributors to Presley’s movie soundtracks during the 1960s. It fits within a familiar formula of lighthearted songs that accompanied his romantic-comedy films of that era.
Recorded during the same sessions as many other tracks for Girls! Girls! Girls!, likely between March and April of 1962, the song captures the tension between freedom and love. In “I Don’t Want To,” Elvis sings about a man who enjoys his carefree, independent life but finds himself irresistibly drawn to a woman, despite his efforts to resist falling in love. This conflict between his desire for independence and the pull of romance is reflected in the lyrics, creating a charming paradox. While the melody is upbeat and catchy, the emotional turmoil within the lyrics adds depth to the seemingly light song.
Though it wasn’t a major hit compared to some of Presley’s other work, “I Don’t Want To” remains a favorite for fans of his soundtrack music. It showcases Elvis’s ability to deliver both romantic and rebellious themes simultaneously, a quality that resonated with his audience during his movie career.
Video:
Lyrics:
“I Don’t Want To”
(from “Girls! Girls! Girls!” soundtrack)I don’t want to, I don’t want to
I don’t want to let you know how much I want you
Don’t come near me, I don’t trust you
I don’t trust the way you thrill me when I touch youI was happy free and easy, I could go around
And do the things that please me
I don’t want to get tied down with a girl like you
I don’t want to … love you, but I doI was happy free and easy, I could go around
And do the things that please me
I don’t want to get tied down with a girl like you
I don’t want to … love you, but I do
I don’t want to love you, but I do