The Heartbreak and Hope of a Journey for Love
When we talk about Elvis Presley, the first things that come to mind are often the iconic rock-and-roll anthems—”Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Don’t Be Cruel.” But tucked away in his early discography, a hidden gem often gets overlooked, a song that showcases a different side of the King, one of vulnerable, raw emotion. That song is “Trying To Get To You,” a track that appeared on his monumental debut album, Elvis Presley, released in March 1956. While not a chart-topping single on its own, it was part of an album that made history, becoming the first rock and roll album to hit number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, a feat that solidified rock music as a dominant force. The album itself, a blend of R&B, rockabilly, and gospel, was a landmark in music history, and songs like “Trying To Get To You” were a critical part of its soulful, diverse sound.
This song, originally recorded by the vocal group The Eagles in 1954, was written by the talented songwriters Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton. However, when Elvis got his hands on it, he infused it with a fervent urgency that was all his own. The story behind the song is a simple, yet profoundly moving one: a man is on a desperate, tireless journey to reunite with the one he loves. The lyrics paint a picture of relentless travel, “over mountains, even through the valleys, too,” driven by a single purpose. He’s not just walking or driving; he’s “running all the way,” a testament to the overpowering nature of his love. This isn’t just a physical journey; it’s an emotional and spiritual one, as the song’s religious undertones suggest. He finds strength in his faith, proclaiming, “Lord above me knows I love you, it was He who brought me through.” It’s a beautiful, earnest expression of devotion and the lengths one will go to for true love.
For those of us who grew up with this music, hearing “Trying To Get To You” again can be a powerful experience. It transports us back to a simpler time, when a heartfelt ballad could capture the entirety of a human emotion in just a few minutes. It’s the sound of a young man, still finding his voice, but already possessing an innate ability to connect with a universal feeling. The track’s raw, unpolished energy—recorded at the legendary Sun Studios—is what makes it so special. You can almost feel the passion and the yearning pouring from Elvis‘s voice, a voice that had yet to be tempered by the glamour of Hollywood or the spectacle of Las Vegas. It’s the sound of a genuine, pure artist, and it reminds us why Elvis Presley was, and always will be, the King.
This song holds a special place for many fans because of its frequent appearance in Elvis‘s later live shows. In a career that saw him evolve from a young rebel to a global superstar, “Trying To Get To You” remained a constant, a touchstone to his roots. He revisited it in his legendary ’68 Comeback Special and continued to perform it throughout the 1970s. These later performances often highlighted his matured vocal power, but the original Sun recording remains a masterpiece of emotional restraint and raw, unadulterated passion. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of fame and chaos, the simplest, most sincere feelings are often the most profound.
Oldies Songs