You'll Be Gone
Encyclopedia
You'll Be Gone is a song co-written by Elvis Presley
and published by Elvis Presley Music and released in 1965 as a single and on the Girl Happy
soundtrack album. The song was recorded in 1962 and is significant because it was co-written by Elvis Presley, with his bodyguard Red West
and assistant Charlie Hodge
.
The other song that Elvis Presley composed was That's Someone You Never Forget
in 1961 with Red West, which was on the Pot Luck
LP released in 1962.
The song was recorded on Sunday, March 18, 1962 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.
's 1935 classic song "Begin the Beguine
", from the musical Jubilee: "Elvis recorded 'It's Now Or Never' and he wanted to take another old standard that was a great song and change the lyrics. ... He said 'I like the song "Begin the Beguine". I like the melody but I'd like to put new lyrics on it.'" When Cole Porter denied permission to alter the lyrics, Elvis, West, and Charlie Hodge worked on creating new lyrics and new music for a song that would be entitled "You'll Be Gone". The song was replete with Latin rhythms and classical guitar passages. The beguine had been a dance popular in Martinique and Guadeloupe in the 1930s.
In the liner notes to Elvis by the Presleys (2005), Ernst Jorgensen explained how the song "You'll be Gone" (1962) came to be written: "A song that Elvis wrote with Red West and Charlie Hodge. Their initial idea was to re-do 'Begin the Beguine' with new lyrics, but Cole Porter didn't grant them permission. So the guys decided, 'Let's just change the chords around a bit and create a new song'."
Elvis's future wife Priscilla Presley remembered it differently on the CD Elvis by the Presleys (2005). In the liner notes, she noted: "The reason we've included it is because it's the last time Elvis ever wrote a song." She recalled that Elvis proudly played her the song with his new lyrics, with assistance in modifying it for the two-chord melody from Red West. Priscilla did not mention the melody, but it is hard to understand the concept of giving someone "the idea" for a melody, but not the melody itself, especially a simple two-chord melody. She did not like the genre, though, and told Elvis: "I like your rock 'n' roll songs better." This, she recalled, was a big mistake, as Elvis got very angry and had what she described as a "tantrum". The liner notes relate that Elvis was so upset that he never took as active a role in song-writing after this, although his "ad-lib" additions are well-known. West's claims are self-serving: He decided to claim all credit for the song after the deaths of the other two credited writers.
Priscilla Presley's account is more credible. She remembered a rather unpleasant scene with her notably sensitive fiancé. Her account jibes well with Elvis Presley's character. Moreover, Red West's inattention to other collaborators is described by another writer in the same book.
West's veracity has come into question in the past, notably in the mistranscribed taped phone call with Elvis Presley in 1976, which has since been heard by third parties, and printed in Elvis: Word for Word (Harmony, 1999) by Jerry Osborne. West's transcription in his book is, at times, very different from the actual call as verified in this book. Priscilla's own recollections have been generally well-corroborated. Before Hodge succumbed to cancer, West had never made this claim, which is why writers such as Peter Guralnick have reported that Elvis Presley wrote a substantial portion of the lyrics. In fact, Guralnick found the song's theme "murky", though some may disagree. There are sources at the time Guralnick did his research who told him and others that Elvis Presley wrote a substantial part of the lyrics to this song long before West decided to claim it all, including Hodge's melody, or "idea for a melody." West has been criticized for writing a book that reflects a view that history is merely the property of those lucky enough to outlive others.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and published by Elvis Presley Music and released in 1965 as a single and on the Girl Happy
Girl Happy (album)
Girl Happy is the twenty-second album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 3338, in March 1965 - the March 1 date is disputed. Recording sessions took place at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California, on June 10, 11, 12, and vocal overdubs by Presley on June...
soundtrack album. The song was recorded in 1962 and is significant because it was co-written by Elvis Presley, with his bodyguard Red West
Red West
Red West is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter.West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S...
and assistant Charlie Hodge
Charlie Hodge (guitarist)
Charles Franklin Hodge , better known as Charlie Hodge, was an American singer, vocal coach and musician who was a confidant and associate of Elvis Presley.- Early music career :...
.
The other song that Elvis Presley composed was That's Someone You Never Forget
That's Someone You Never Forget
"That's Someone You Never Forget" is a song co-written by Elvis Presley in 1961 and published by Elvis Presley Music, which appeared as the closing track on his 1962 album, Pot Luck. It was written by Elvis Presley with his bodyguard Red West and based upon an idea and title by Presley himself...
in 1961 with Red West, which was on the Pot Luck
Pot Luck (album)
Pot Luck with Elvis is the fifteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2523, in June 1962. Recording sessions took place on March 22, 1961, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and on June 25 and October 15, 1961, and March 18 and March 19, 1962, at RCA Studio B...
LP released in 1962.
The song was recorded on Sunday, March 18, 1962 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.
Chart History
"You'll Be Gone" was released as an RCA Victor 45 picture sleeve single in 1965 as the B side with "Do the Clam", as RCA Victor 47-8500. "You'll Be Gone" charted at no.121 on Billboard. "Do the Clam" reached no.21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and remained on the chart for 8 weeks. In Canada, "You'll Be Gone" reached no. 35 on the singles chart.Composition History
Red West recounted that "You'll Be Gone" was written after a suggestion or idea made by Elvis to write new lyrics for Cole PorterCole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
's 1935 classic song "Begin the Beguine
Begin the Beguine
"Begin the Beguine" is a song written by Cole Porter . Porter composed the song at the piano in the bar of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. In October 1935, it was introduced by June Knight in the Broadway musical Jubilee produced at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.-Music:The beguine music and dance...
", from the musical Jubilee: "Elvis recorded 'It's Now Or Never' and he wanted to take another old standard that was a great song and change the lyrics. ... He said 'I like the song "Begin the Beguine". I like the melody but I'd like to put new lyrics on it.'" When Cole Porter denied permission to alter the lyrics, Elvis, West, and Charlie Hodge worked on creating new lyrics and new music for a song that would be entitled "You'll Be Gone". The song was replete with Latin rhythms and classical guitar passages. The beguine had been a dance popular in Martinique and Guadeloupe in the 1930s.
In the liner notes to Elvis by the Presleys (2005), Ernst Jorgensen explained how the song "You'll be Gone" (1962) came to be written: "A song that Elvis wrote with Red West and Charlie Hodge. Their initial idea was to re-do 'Begin the Beguine' with new lyrics, but Cole Porter didn't grant them permission. So the guys decided, 'Let's just change the chords around a bit and create a new song'."
Appearances on Albums
The song appeared on:- the 1965 Girl HappyGirl HappyGirl Happy is a 1965 American musical romantic comedy in the beach party film and spring break style, starring Elvis Presley.This was the last mega-successful Elvis Presley film at the box office, finishing at #25 on the Variety year-end top-grossing films of 1965 chart and making $3 million,...
soundtrack album - the RCA 1999 CD reissue of the 1962 Pot Luck album as a bonus track
- the 1992 From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential 60s Masters album
- the 2007 Pot Luck with Elvis, 2 CD FTD Special Edition collection
- the 2010 FTD/BMG Nashville Outtakes: 1961-1964 collection, Take 1
- and on the 2005 Elvis by the Presleys soundtrack album as alternate take 2.
Personnel
- Elvis Presley - vocals, guitar
- Scotty MooreScotty MooreWinfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III is an American guitarist. He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career, between 1954 and the beginning of Elvis' Hollywood years...
- guitar - Harold BradleyHarold BradleyHarold Bradley is a pop guitarist and an American country guitarist.Harold played banjo as a child but switched to guitar on the advice of his elder brother, Owen Bradley. Owen arranged for Harold to tour with Ernest Tubb while Harold was still in high school. After graduation, Harold joined the...
- guitar - Grady Martin - guitar, vibes
- Bob Moore - bass
- D.J. Fontana - drums
- Buddy Harman - drums
- Floyd CramerFloyd CramerFloyd Cramer was an American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the "Nashville sound." He popularized the "slip note" piano style where an out-of-tune note slides effortlessly into the correct note...
- piano - Boots RandolphBoots RandolphHomer Louis "Boots" Randolph III was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit, "Yakety Sax"...
- saxophone, vibes - Millie Kirkham - vocals
- The JordanairesThe JordanairesThe Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
- vocals
Authorship controversy
In the book Writing for the King (FTD, 2006), written after the death of Charlie Hodge in 2006 of cancer, Red West claimed full credit for everything in the song, including all lyrics and melody, but said he generously allowed them some credit for their "ideas". He claimed Presley only gave him the "idea" or "suggestion". West claimed that Hodge also only gave him the "idea" for a two-chord melody, but that Hodge did not actually write the melody. West claimed that he did that also, but in an act of apparent generosity, West said "I give him credit, just for that."Elvis's future wife Priscilla Presley remembered it differently on the CD Elvis by the Presleys (2005). In the liner notes, she noted: "The reason we've included it is because it's the last time Elvis ever wrote a song." She recalled that Elvis proudly played her the song with his new lyrics, with assistance in modifying it for the two-chord melody from Red West. Priscilla did not mention the melody, but it is hard to understand the concept of giving someone "the idea" for a melody, but not the melody itself, especially a simple two-chord melody. She did not like the genre, though, and told Elvis: "I like your rock 'n' roll songs better." This, she recalled, was a big mistake, as Elvis got very angry and had what she described as a "tantrum". The liner notes relate that Elvis was so upset that he never took as active a role in song-writing after this, although his "ad-lib" additions are well-known. West's claims are self-serving: He decided to claim all credit for the song after the deaths of the other two credited writers.
Priscilla Presley's account is more credible. She remembered a rather unpleasant scene with her notably sensitive fiancé. Her account jibes well with Elvis Presley's character. Moreover, Red West's inattention to other collaborators is described by another writer in the same book.
West's veracity has come into question in the past, notably in the mistranscribed taped phone call with Elvis Presley in 1976, which has since been heard by third parties, and printed in Elvis: Word for Word (Harmony, 1999) by Jerry Osborne. West's transcription in his book is, at times, very different from the actual call as verified in this book. Priscilla's own recollections have been generally well-corroborated. Before Hodge succumbed to cancer, West had never made this claim, which is why writers such as Peter Guralnick have reported that Elvis Presley wrote a substantial portion of the lyrics. In fact, Guralnick found the song's theme "murky", though some may disagree. There are sources at the time Guralnick did his research who told him and others that Elvis Presley wrote a substantial part of the lyrics to this song long before West decided to claim it all, including Hodge's melody, or "idea for a melody." West has been criticized for writing a book that reflects a view that history is merely the property of those lucky enough to outlive others.
Sources
- Jorgensen, Ernst. Elvis Presley, A Life In Music. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998; ISBN 0-312-18572-3
- Jorgensen, Ernst. Elvis by the Presleys. Liner Notes. BMG Heritage, 2005. Online link: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aIrq2zIsEWYJ:shop.elvis.com.au/prod1256.htm+you'll+be+gone+elvis+by+the+presleys&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
- Presley, Priscilla. Elvis by the Presleys. Liner Notes. BMG Heritage, 2005.
- Hopkins, Jerry. Elvis: A Biography. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1971.
- Victor, Adam. The Elvis Encyclopedia. Overlook Hardcover, 2008.