You'll Be Gone
First recording and first release by Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires (March 1962 / February 9, 1965)
- Written by
- Charlie Hodge, Elvis Presley, Red West
- Language
- English
- ISWC
-
T-911.386.569-3 BMI, ISWC, JASRAC
- Comments
-
"The story behind "You'll Be Gone" was Elvis recorded "It's Now Or Never" and he wanted to take another old standard that was a great song and change the lyrics, which they got away with on "It's Now Or Never" ("O Sole Mio"). He said 'I like the song "Begin the Beguine". I like the melody but I'd like to put new lyrics on it.' So I sat down and wrote new lyrics for it. Then when it came time to record it, Cole Porter said, 'Hell no!' (laughs) He said 'What are you talking about? You want to change the lyrics to my song?'
So I changed the melody. The song only had two chords, C and F. Charlie Hodge is the one that recommened that I do it with two chords and give it a kind of beat. I gave him credit as a third writer on the song just for that. Elvis is credited on the song; it was just more his suggestion to do it. Elvis never really tried to write songs. He just didn't have the patience."
(Red West in Ken Sharp's "Writing for The King", 2006) - Licensing
- Request a synchronization license