Only The Strong Survive

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MikeFromHolland
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Only The Strong Survive

Post by MikeFromHolland »

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Elvis must have been very dedicated to get this song right on February 20, 1969. It took him 29 takes to get to the final Master take. And man, was it worth his dedication:







What we hear here is that Elvis and the band very much started with the original in mind. The original by Jerry Butler that hit the charts a week after Elvis recorded it (new entry on #70), while his album "The Ice Man Cometh" with the song on it was in the charts for a couple of weeks already.

BB 1969 02 22 - Best New Record of the Week.png
Billboard-1969-03-01.jpg
Cover - Jerry Butler - The Ice Man Cometh.jpg


Only The Strong Survive is the only song on From Elvis in Memphis by African American songwriters (Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff).
(..) Butler co-wrote the song in 1968, but the original inspiration was from when his girlfriend broke up with him in high school. He asked his mother for advice, who said: "Son, you've just started to live. There are more girls in the world, some better, some worse, some just as good, and a whole lot of lonely ones, looking for a good man like you"

The night before Butler sat down to write the song with Gamble and Huff, Gamble remembered saying to a friend on the phone, "in order to make it in this world, only the strong survive." Butler grafted in his mother's advice on to Gamble's phone conversation, while Gamble and Huff supplied their signature hooks. When Butler released the song in early 1969, it became the biggest hit of his career.






Still not completely satisfied with Elvis' 29th take of the song, Moman produced a voice repair (most probably on February 22) to the song. This - perhaps with some input from Felton Jarvis - became the final cut that was send into the world:





I love the song.



Sources
https://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/690219.html#03
https://www.youtube.com/c/elvispresley/videos
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard-Magazine.htm
https://www.bol.com/nl/p/iceman-cometh/9200000113327389/
https://www.youtube.com/c/jazzyscookie/videos
Book: From Elvis in Memphis by Eric Wolfson (2021)
Book: Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor by Jerry Butler (2000)

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DarrylMac
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by DarrylMac »

Fantastic post - thank you. The song is, to my ears, one of the very best he recorded - not just at this session, but through his whole career. His singing us superb, and the wonderful bass line driving the song along is just fabulous. Blue eyed soul for sure. Am I right in thinking Roy Hamilton was present when Elvis recorded, and was raving to someone days later about the job Elvis had done?



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r&b
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by r&b »

Why didnt Elvis continue to cover current soul and R&B songs like this similar to what he did in the 50's/early 60's? This is why I view the Memphis sessions almost like a rebirth of Elvis of the 50's in many ways. Very disappointed he discontinued to pursue that path and almost went all country in the 70's. Stand -out song for me and better than 95% of his 70's output



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drjohncarpenter
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Great song, great recording and a great post.

Elvis took on many "signature songs" in his career, "Only The Strong Survive" being one of those where he fully met the moment.

Note that the production was 100% by Chips Moman, start-to-finish.

Beyond Jerry Butler's 1969 chart-topper, I'm certain Presley well knew these Butler gems, he even recorded one of them:

1960 - "He Will Break Your Heart"
1964 - "I Stand Accused"
1964 - "Let It Be Me" (duet with Betty Everett)
1964 - "Ain't That Loving You Baby" (duet with Betty Everett, song by Jimmy Reed)




MikeFromHolland wrote:
Sat Dec 26, 2020 6:51 pm


Elvis must have been very dedicated to get this song right on February 20, 1969. It took him 29 takes to get to the final Master take. And man, was it worth his dedication:







What we hear here is that Elvis and the band very much started with the original in mind. The original by Jerry Butler that hit the charts a week after Elvis recorded it (new entry on #70), while his album "The Ice Man Cometh" with the song on it was in the charts for a couple of weeks already.


Image


Image


Image



Only The Strong Survive is the only song on From Elvis in Memphis by African American songwriters (Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff).
(..) Butler co-wrote the song in 1968, but the original inspiration was from when his girlfriend broke up with him in high school. He asked his mother for advice, who said: "Son, you've just started to live. There are more girls in the world, some better, some worse, some just as good, and a whole lot of lonely ones, looking for a good man like you"

The night before Butler sat down to write the song with Gamble and Huff, Gamble remembered saying to a friend on the phone, "in order to make it in this world, only the strong survive." Butler grafted in his mother's advice on to Gamble's phone conversation, while Gamble and Huff supplied their signature hooks. When Butler released the song in early 1969, it became the biggest hit of his career.






Still not completely satisfied with Elvis' 29th take of the song, Moman produced a voice repair (most probably on February 22) to the song. This - perhaps with some input from Felton Jarvis - became the final cut that was send into the world:





I love the song.



Sources
https://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/690219.html#03
https://www.youtube.com/c/elvispresley/videos
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard-Magazine.htm
https://www.bol.com/nl/p/iceman-cometh/9200000113327389/
https://www.youtube.com/c/jazzyscookie/videos
Book: From Elvis in Memphis by Eric Wolfson (2021)
Book: Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor by Jerry Butler (2000)



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sweetangeline
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by sweetangeline »

drjohncarpenter wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:37 am
Note that the production was 100% by Chips Moman, start-to-finish.
absolutely great song...not to get off topic but I always wondered of all the tracks recorded which ones were all Chips Moman as you say from start-to-finish?...and also did Chips have a say in what was picked for inclusion in FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS??...maybe there is an existing topic that answers this, thanks



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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by LSP-4445 »

Great song&performance by Elvis.
Would be great if Sony released a complete American studio sessions box as most of the takes of this song
still gather dust in the vault.But at least we have many takes that is available on bootleg only,including complete take(s).
And in good sound quality.



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MikeFromHolland
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by MikeFromHolland »

r&b wrote:
Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:56 pm
Why didnt Elvis continue to cover current soul and R&B songs like this similar to what he did in the 50's/early 60's? This is why I view the Memphis sessions almost like a rebirth of Elvis of the 50's in many ways. Very disappointed he discontinued to pursue that path and almost went all country in the 70's. Stand -out song for me and better than 95% of his 70's output
Be content. Your 1000th+ complaint has achieved almost just as much likes as my researched opening post has.

Now we know what this board appreciates most: complaining.

.


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r&b
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by r&b »

MikeFromHolland wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:16 pm
r&b wrote:
Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:56 pm
Why didnt Elvis continue to cover current soul and R&B songs like this similar to what he did in the 50's/early 60's? This is why I view the Memphis sessions almost like a rebirth of Elvis of the 50's in many ways. Very disappointed he discontinued to pursue that path and almost went all country in the 70's. Stand -out song for me and better than 95% of his 70's output
Be content. Your 1000th+ complaint has achieved almost just as much likes as my researched opening post has.

Now we know what this board appreciates most: complaining.

.
Its called discussion. You posted, I responded my thoughts. Sorry I intruded (but some people agree with me)




egilj
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Re: Only The Strong Survive

Post by egilj »

r&b wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 5:40 pm
MikeFromHolland wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:16 pm
r&b wrote:
Sat Dec 26, 2020 9:56 pm
Why didnt Elvis continue to cover current soul and R&B songs like this similar to what he did in the 50's/early 60's? This is why I view the Memphis sessions almost like a rebirth of Elvis of the 50's in many ways. Very disappointed he discontinued to pursue that path and almost went all country in the 70's. Stand -out song for me and better than 95% of his 70's output
Be content. Your 1000th+ complaint has achieved almost just as much likes as my researched opening post has.

Now we know what this board appreciates most: complaining.

.
Its called discussion. You posted, I responded my thoughts. Sorry I intruded (but some people agree with me)
Sure, but it's like moaning the whole Christmas Day about how dreadful your life is for the rest of the year.