MARKS BEST MOVIE SONGS EVER (1955-99) COUNTDOWN ... NO. 22 LOVE ME TENDER–ELVIS PRESLEY (#1, 1956, Love Me Tender) The sixth of seven songs in this countdown for Elvis Presley, this was the debut movie for the future King of Rock n Roll, 1956s Love Me Tender, where he plays Clint Reno, the youngest of four Southern brothers whose lives turn upside down when the Civil War breaks out and his older brothers Vance (Richard Egan), Brett (William Campbelle) and Ray (James Drury) are sent off to fight for the Confederate Army, while Clint is left behind to tend to the family farm and to their mother (Mildred Dunnock). But word comes back that Vance, the oldest, has been killed in the line of duty and Clint, who has gotten close to Vances love, Cathy (played by Debra Paget), decides to marry her. One problem, though: Vance is NOT dead and he arrives home with his brothers after the war to the surprise that little brother married his love. Its a very sticky situation, especially when the brothers raid a Union train the day after the war ends and steal $12,000 from it and things get very contentious. The title song, which spent five weeks at No. 1 in November and December 1956 (and replaced Presleys double-sided Dont Be Cruel/Hound Dog at the top after an 11-week run), was co-written by Presley and a guy named Ken Darby, who wrote the song under his wifes name, Vera Matson, and made himself anonymous. The song is adapted off the 1861 tune Aura Lea, a Civil War-time standard, written by George R. Poulton. Interestingly, though, the producers of the movie and soundtrack wouldnt allow Presley to record with his own backup band of Bill Black, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana and had him record the song with Darbys backing group. It still worked out very well. It was Presleys fourth No. 1 hit of 1956, his debut year. Theres one more Presley song in this countdown to go. Thoughts, memories? Enjoy!
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 02:20:47 +0000
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