About the song
Elvis Presley… a name that resonates deeply within the hearts of those of us who’ve witnessed the evolution of popular music. And the song, “And I Love You So”, well, it’s a testament to the King’s enduring ability to touch our souls with a simple yet profound expression of love. This isn’t just another ballad; it’s a carefully crafted piece that showcases a different facet of Elvis, one that goes beyond the iconic hip swivels and rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
Released in 1973 on the album Elvis, this song, penned by the talented Don McLean, found a comfortable and perhaps even definitive home in Elvis’s repertoire. While McLean’s original version holds its own charm, Elvis imbued it with a certain gravitas, a seasoned understanding of the emotions conveyed within the lyrics. His rendition feels less like a youthful declaration and more like a heartfelt confession from a man who has known love in its various forms and depths.
The beauty of “And I Love You So” lies in its understated elegance. There are no soaring vocal acrobatics or dramatic instrumental flourishes. Instead, we are presented with a sincere and direct delivery, allowing the purity of the sentiment to take center stage. Elvis’s voice, by this point in his career, had taken on a richer, more mature timbre, lending a layer of vulnerability and authenticity to the words. You can almost hear the years of experience, the triumphs and the heartaches, woven into each phrase.
The arrangement is equally significant in contributing to the song’s timeless appeal. The gentle piano melody, often accompanied by subtle acoustic guitar and perhaps a touch of strings, creates an intimate and almost contemplative atmosphere. It’s the kind of melody that settles comfortably in your memory, a soothing balm for the complexities of life. This simplicity allows the listener to truly focus on the lyrical narrative, a straightforward yet deeply moving articulation of unwavering affection.
“And I Love You So” isn’t a song that shouts its emotions; rather, it whispers them with a quiet intensity. It speaks to the enduring power of love, the kind that persists through the ups and downs, the kind that becomes an intrinsic part of one’s being. When Elvis sings, “And I love you so, the people ask me how, how I’ve lived till now,” you feel the weight of that devotion, the sense that this love has been a guiding force, a constant in a changing world.
For those of us who have lived a bit, who have experienced the nuances of relationships and the profound impact of genuine connection, “And I Love You So” resonates on a particularly deep level. It reminds us of the simple truths that often get lost in the noise of everyday life – the unwavering comfort of knowing you are deeply loved and cherished. Elvis’s interpretation of this song serves as a poignant reminder of the universality of this feeling, a sentiment that transcends generations and musical trends. It’s a classic, not just because of who sang it, but because of the enduring message it so beautifully conveys.
Video
Lyrics
And I love you so
People ask me how
How I’ve lived ’til now
I tell them I don’t know
I guess they understand
How lonely life has been
But life began again
The day you took my hand
And yes, I know how lonely life can be
When Shadows follow me and the night won’t set me free
But I don’t let the evening get me down
Now that you’re around me
And you love me too
Your thoughts are just for me
You set my spirit free
I’m happy that you do
The book of life is brief
And once the page is read
All but love is dead
This is my belief
Oh, and yes, I know how lonely life can be
When shadows follow me and the night won’t set me free
But I don’t let the evening get me down
Now that you’re around me, now you know
Thank you
Thank you very much
