About The Song
“Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel” is an iconic rock and roll song by the legendary Elvis Presley. Released in 1956, it is often considered one of the first rock and roll hits and played a significant role in establishing Elvis as a rock and roll pioneer. Here’s an overview of key details about the song:
Title: Heartbreak Hotel
Artist: Elvis Presley
Release Date: 1956
Album: Elvis Presley (1956)
Writers: Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, and Elvis Presley
Key Themes:
- Heartbreak and Desolation: The lyrics depict the sadness and despair of someone experiencing heartbreak and seeking refuge in a “Heartbreak Hotel” where others share similar emotional pain.
- Loneliness: The song captures a sense of loneliness and emotional turmoil, portraying the universal theme of love gone wrong and the resulting feelings of isolation.
Musical Style:
- Rock and Roll: “Heartbreak Hotel” is a classic rock and roll song that features Elvis’s distinctive vocal style, a prominent walking bassline, and a bluesy guitar riff. It embodies the energetic and rebellious spirit of the emerging rock and roll genre in the 1950s.
Cultural Impact:
- Chart-Topping Success: “Heartbreak Hotel” was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Pop Charts and establishing Elvis as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
- Breakthrough Hit: The song is often considered a breakthrough hit for Elvis Presley, marking his transition from a regional sensation to a national and international star.
Legacy:
- Rock and Roll Pioneer: “Heartbreak Hotel” solidifies Elvis Presley’s status as a rock and roll pioneer, influencing the direction of popular music in the 1950s and beyond.
- Cultural Significance: The song’s impact goes beyond its commercial success; it holds cultural significance as a defining moment in the history of rock and roll and is frequently cited as one of the greatest songs in the genre.
- Cover Versions: “Heartbreak Hotel” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, showcasing its enduring appeal and influence on subsequent generations of musicians.
- Memphis Landmark: In recognition of its historical importance, the site of the real Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, has become a landmark associated with the early days of Elvis’s career and the birth of rock and roll.
Video
Lyrics
Well, since my baby left meWell, I found a new place to dwellWell, it’s down at the end of Lonely StreetAt Heartbreak HotelWhere I’ll be, I’ll be so lonely, babyWell, I’m so lonelyI’ll be so lonely, I could die
Although it’s always crowdedYou still can find some roomFor broken hearted loversTo cry there in their gloomBe so, they’ll be so lonely, babyThey get so lonelyThey’re so lonely, they could die
Now, the bellhop’s tears keep flowin’And the desk clerk’s dressed in blackWell, they’ve been so long on Lonely StreetWell, they’ll never, they’ll never look backAnd they get so, they get so lonely, babyWell, they are so lonelyThey’re so lonely, they could die
Well, now, if your baby leaves youAnd you got a tale to tellWell, just take a walk down Lonely StreetTo Heartbreak HotelWhere you will be, you will be lonely, babyWell, you will be lonelyYou’ll be so lonely, you could die
Although it’s always crowdedBut you still can find some roomFor broken hearted loversTo cry there in their gloomWhere they get so, they get so lonely, babyWell, they’re so lonelyThey’ll be so lonely, they could die