That’s When Your Heartaches Begin – Elvis Presley

Introduction:

“Dirty, Dirty Feeling” is a song by Elvis Presley, originally recorded in 1958 but released two years later on November 10, 1960, as part of his album Elvis Is Back!. This album marked Presley’s return to the music scene after his two-year stint in the U.S. Army, which had kept him away from recording new music. Upon his return, Elvis Is Back! was a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his versatility across multiple music genres, including rock and roll, blues, and pop.

“Dirty, Dirty Feeling” fits into the rock and roll genre with elements of rhythm and blues. Clocking in at just under two minutes, the song is characterized by its brisk tempo, sharp guitar riffs, and Presley’s signature vocal delivery, blending a gritty, rebellious attitude with a polished musicality. Its lyrics revolve around romantic frustration, a theme that aligns with much of Presley’s work during the 1950s and early 1960s. Though not as well-known as some of his major hits, such as “Hound Dog” or “Jailhouse Rock,” “Dirty, Dirty Feeling” holds its own as a high-energy track that encapsulates the raw rock-and-roll spirit of the era.

The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, a famed songwriting duo who contributed to several of Elvis’s hits, including “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Their collaboration with Presley resulted in some of the most iconic music of the 1950s and early 1960s, and “Dirty, Dirty Feeling” carries their trademark blend of clever lyricism and catchy melodies.

While the song did not receive significant attention as a standalone single, it became part of the broader success of Elvis Is Back!, an album that peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and cemented Presley’s comeback. The album’s critical and commercial success demonstrated that Presley’s appeal had endured despite his time away from the industry, and “Dirty, Dirty Feeling” contributed to the overall eclectic and vibrant atmosphere of the record.

Video:

Lyrics:

“That’s When Your Heartaches Begin”

If you find your sweetheart
In the arms of a friend
That’s when your heartaches begin
When dreams of a lifetime
Must come to an end
That’s when your heartaches begin

Love is a thing
You never can share
When you bring a friend
Into your love affair
That’s the end of your sweetheart
That’s the end of your friend
That’s when your heartaches begin

If you find your sweetheart
In the arms of your best friend
Brother, that’s, that’s when your heartaches begin
And you know, when all of your dreams
When all of your dreams of a lifetime, must all come to an end
Well, that’s, that’s when your heartaches begin

You see love is a thing that
That you never can share
And when you bring a friend
When you bring a friend into your love affair
That’s the end of your sweetheart
That’s the end of your friend
That’s the when your heartaches begin