Introduction:
“Let Yourself Go” by Elvis Presley is a vibrant, blues-rock track originally written by Joy Byers and recorded by Elvis in 1968. This song was featured in his 1968 film Speedway, where Elvis performed it in a lively, high-energy scene. Musically, the track showcases a rock-driven rhythm complemented by the powerful brass section and backup vocals typical of Presley’s style during this period. Notably, the recording included prominent musicians of the era, such as renowned drummer Hal Blaine and bassist Larry Knechtel, both of whom contributed to the track’s distinctive, energetic sound.
“Let Yourself Go” gained renewed popularity when it became part of Presley’s iconic “’68 Comeback Special.” This televised performance marked Elvis’s powerful return to live music and reestablished him as a significant force in the rock and roll genre. The track captures the spirit of his revitalized style, leaning into a more intense, blues-influenced sound that deviated from the lighter, pop-oriented music he had been known for earlier in his career.
The song also highlights a shift in Presley’s artistic direction, aligning him closer with the rock and blues styles that defined his early work and reignited his career. “Let Yourself Go” serves as a testament to Elvis’s versatility and enduring appeal, bridging his film roles with his resurgence as a live performer, especially during the late 1960s. Today, it remains a memorable piece of his extensive catalog, celebrated for its raw energy and association with one of the most pivotal moments in his career.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Let Yourself Go”
(from “Speedway” soundtrack)
Don’t you get a bubble?
As you listen to them play
Don’t you get a glow?If you step out on the floor
You’ll forget your trouble
If you go into your dance
You’ll forget your woe, soCome, get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go
Come, hit the timber
Loosen up and start to limber
Can’t you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go
Let yourself go, relax
And let yourself go, relax
You got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the music’s hot, so
Come, cuddle closer
Don’t you dare to answer “No, sir”
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Come, get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go
Come, hit the timber
Loosen up and start to limber
Can’t you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go
Let yourself go, relax
And let yourself go, relax
You’ve got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the music’s hot, so
Come, cuddle closer
Don’t you dare to answer “No, sir”
Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go
Let yourself go