Introduction:
“Pieces of My Life” is a poignant ballad penned by songwriter Troy Seals. The song was initially recorded by country artist Charlie Rich, featuring on his 1974 album “The Silver Fox.” The following year, Elvis Presley chose to cover the track for his album “Today,” bringing his unique interpretation to the heartfelt lyrics.
Presley’s recording session for “Pieces of My Life” took place on March 12, 1975, at RCA’s Studio C in Hollywood. The session featured a lineup of talented musicians, including James Burton, John Wilkinson, and Charlie Hodge on guitar; Duke Bardwell on bass; Ronnie Tutt on drums; Glen D. Hardin and Tony Brown on piano; and David Briggs and Greg Gordon on clavinet. Subsequent overdubs enriched the track with contributions from Johnny Christopher and Chip Young on guitar, Norbert Putnam and Mike Leech on bass, Richard F. Morris on percussion, Charles L. Rose on saxophone, Harvey L. Thompson on trombone, Harrison Calloway on trumpet, Ronald Eades on baritone saxophone, and The Holladays providing additional vocals.
An interesting anecdote from the recording session involves Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, who visited the studio and caused a disruption. According to reports, Wilson played some of his band’s recent recordings for Presley, seeking his opinion. After listening to a few tracks, Presley reportedly responded, “Nah,” before leaving, seemingly unaware that the visitor was Brian Wilson. The encounter took a bizarre turn when Wilson attempted to karate chop Presley.
“Pieces of My Life” was released as a single on September 20, 1975, with “Bringing It Back” as the B-side. At that time, RCA Victor had no new material from Presley and opted to release these tracks from the “Today” album. The strategy was noted by the public, who had already purchased the album, resulting in modest chart performance. “Pieces of My Life” reached number 33 on the Billboard Country chart, while “Bringing It Back” peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s reflective lyrics and Presley’s emotive delivery resonated with listeners, offering a glimpse into the more introspective side of the artist. While not one of his most commercially successful singles, “Pieces of My Life” remains a notable entry in Presley’s discography, exemplifying his ability to convey deep emotion through song.