The raw, authentic nerve of the SUN singles and the
first two RCA albums meets Hollywood. I’d call it a draw. The album
delivers a mix of blistering rock’n’roll, gentle ballads, show tunes and
well played cover versions. The arrangements and the way especially the
fast-paced numbers are presented in the movie downplays Elvis’
rebellious image.
Check out the YouTube-link for “Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do” where two
frightened middle-aged ladies in the audience are seduced by Elvis’
charm within a scant two frantic minutes. They look visibly relieved.
What a charming young man, he’s not a juvenile delinquent at all! He’s
not after the knickers of teenage America, he’s a paragon of virtue, a
teddy bear, a well-mannered entertainer, a defender of American
traditions and a role model for the young. That’s Hollywood for you, and
that’s what Hollywood wanted Elvis to be. But they didn’t succeed just
yet.
As a teenage movie “Loving You” is stupid in an
entertaining sort of way. But I recommend you listen to the album as
just an album. The movie might ruin it for you. There are actually songs
here that’ve got the fire in them, even if they might appear a bit
over-dressed. Check out “Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do”, “Mean Woman Blues”
and “Party”. They rock. And Elvis sings them like he means it.
There are also some ballads here that’ve got enough authentic blues in
them to win you over, even if they are sugary. Check out the title
track, “Don’t Leave Me Now” and “I Need You So”. Then there’s the pop
chestnut “Teddy Bear”, written into the film because the producer liked
it so much. Elvis’ fling with Bing Crosby does not impress, however, and
his version of Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” does not add anything to
the superior original.
The cover photo has always puzzled me. Why did they pick that shot? The
flabby and grumpy guy who eyes you with suspicion doesn’t look much like
a rock’n’roll star.
Released: July 1, 1957
Produced by: Steve Sholes
Side One
(Songs from the film “Loving You”):
1. “Mean Woman Blues” (Demetrius) 2:15
2. “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” (Mann/Lowe) 1:45
3. “Loving You” (Leiber /Stoller) 2:12
4. “Got a Lot O’ Livin’ to Do” (Schroeder/Weisman) 2:31
5. “Lonesome Cowboy” (Tepper/Bennett) 3:07
6. “Hot Dog” (Leiber/Stoller) 1:17
7. “Party” (Robinson) 1:27
Side Two:
1. “Blueberry Hill” (Rose/Lewis/Stock) 2:38
2. “True Love” (Porter) 2:07
3. “Don’t Leave Me Now” (Schroeder/Weisman) 2:00
4. “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” (Russell /Wiseman) 2:30
5. “I Need You So” (Hunter) 2:40
Personnel:
Elvis Presley – vocals, acoustic guitar (playing the back of his
guitar on “Teddy Bear” and “True Love”)
Scotty Moore – electric guitar
Tiny Timbrell – acoustic guitar
Dudley Brooks – piano
Gordon Stoker – piano
Hoyt Hawkins – piano, organ
Bill Black – double bass
D.J. Fontana – drums
The Jordanaires – backing vocals
George Fields – harmonica
Hits from the album:
“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” #1 (US), #3 (UK)
“Loving You” (B-side of the above) #20 (US), #24 (UK)
“Party” #2 (UK)
“Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do” (B-side of the above) #17 (UK)
