About the song
“There Goes My Everything.” For those of us who came of age with Elvis as a cultural touchstone, his career trajectory was a marvel to behold. From the raw, untamed energy of his early Sun Records recordings to the Hollywood years and ultimately, his Las Vegas residencies, he was a force of nature, constantly evolving, yet always undeniably Elvis.
“There Goes My Everything,” released in 1970 on the album Elvis Country (I’m an Old Cowhand), finds Presley in what many consider his prime as a mature vocalist. By this point, he had long shed the youthful exuberance of his rock and roll beginnings, embracing a deeper, more nuanced approach to his craft. This period saw him delving into country, gospel, and soulful ballads, proving his incredible versatility and his ability to inhabit a song with a profound sense of emotional resonance. The song itself, originally a country hit for Jack Greene in 1966, was a perfect fit for Elvis’s evolving sound, allowing him to demonstrate his considerable vocal prowess without relying on the theatrics that sometimes characterized his live performances.
What truly makes Elvis Presley’s rendition of “There Goes My Everything” so compelling is the sheer conviction in his voice. This wasn’t just a cover; it was a reinterpretation. He imbues the lyrics with a gravitas that speaks of personal experience and heartache, even if the emotions were merely channeled for the performance. The song’s themes of loss, regret, and the sudden unraveling of one’s world are universal, and Elvis, with his rich baritone and impeccable phrasing, makes them palpably real. The production, typical of his late 60s/early 70s output, is lush yet tasteful, with the backing vocals and instrumentation providing a sympathetic framework that never overshadows his commanding vocal presence. It’s a masterclass in how a powerful voice can convey vulnerability.
For many seasoned listeners, this era of Elvis Presley’s career, exemplified by songs like “There Goes My Everything,” represents him at his most musically sophisticated. It’s a period where the legend transcended his iconic image to become simply a magnificent vocalist, capable of delivering poignant, heartfelt performances that continue to move audiences to this day. It serves as a powerful reminder that beyond the hips and the showmanship, there was a truly extraordinary voice, capable of exploring the depths of human emotion with unparalleled artistry.
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Lyrics
One, two, three
There goes my only possession
Oh, there goes my everything
I hear footsteps slowly walking
As they gently walk across the lonely floor
And a voice is softly saying
Darling, this will be goodbye for evermore
There goes my reason for living
Oh, there goes the one of my dreams
There goes my only possession
Oh, there goes my everything
As my memory turns back the pages
I can see the happy years we’ve had before
Now the love that kept this old heart beating
Has been shattered by the closing of the door
Well, there goes my reason for living
Oh, there goes the one of my dreams
Well, there goes my only possession
Oh, there goes my everything
There goes my only possession
Oh, there goes my everything
