"Stand By Me"

[Juan Luis]

This is my top Gospel choice at the moment. It has Elvis' sublime singing reminiscent of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is A Long Time", a song he would later record in the early morning hours. Definitely my favourite of the Grammy award winning album masterpiece ... "How Great Thou Art"!

Ernst Jorgensen from "A life In Music" writes: " 'Stand By Me' was written by the legendary black Gospel composer Charles Tindley, and Elvis asked that the lights in the studio be turned down to create a more intimate feeling. Because the song was newer (there is a list of Elvis singing this in Germany page 117) to him, though, he found unable to read the lyric sheet in the dark, and started saying they ought to "do another type song." Sensing that they might miss a wonderful opportunity, though, Felton stepped in to encourage Elvis, and the singer quickly regained confidence and finished the song."

Recorded on May 26, 1966 at RCA Studio B- Nashville, Tennessee with Jim Malloy behind the console and Felton Jarvis producing. The master is take eleven (of eleven attempts).

I Hope you enjoy Elvis at his best, singing with powerful feeling and reverence, what he loved most. Gospel music!

..

[Dan_T]

Always LOVED this song, Juan. thanks for the Felton clip, very interesting !

[poormadpeter2]

The interesting thing with a song such as Stand By Me is that it's one of the gospel songs that Elvis sang which can have a meaning for the non-believer as well as the believer. A brilliant, under-stated performance too, and a song title that could just as easily have been a call to his fans at the time.

[Juan Luis]

The interesting thing with a song such as Stand By Me is that it's one of the gospel songs that Elvis sang which can have a meaning for the non-believer as well as the believer. A brilliant, under-stated performance too, and a song title that could just as easily have been a call to his fans at the time.

100% agree. Thanks.

[JimmyCool]

My favorite song from that album, along with "Run On".

[Arvis Paisley]

This is one of the most played songs on my iPod. It has such a calming effect. I love it.

[Juan Luis]

Always LOVED this song, Juan. thanks for the Felton clip, very interesting !

You're welcome!

[Juan Luis]

This is one of the most played songs on my iPod. It has such a calming effect. I love it.

This reminds me of this quote...
"A lotta times we'll go upstairs and sing until daylight - Gospel songs. We grew up with it...It more or less puts your mind at ease. It does mine."-Elvis Presley.

[Arvis Paisley]

He really was able to communicate something great through these songs. I get a lot of strength and comfort from his Gospel recordings.

[Deleted User 1099]

My favorite song from that album, along with "Run On".

I second that. Absolutely the two best songs from that album.

[Hard Rocker]

Superb track as The King began his comeback. His voice here rests between the control he had in the early 60's and the intense gravitas he was able to draw upon in '68. Hard to find fault in this great track: classic Presley from start to finish.

[Eggrert]

I confess that I appreciate and respect this song more than I actually like it (really, the same goes for the whole album, with the exceptions of So High and Run On). I prefer the smoothness of His Hand In Mine and the contemporary pop feel of He Touched Me.

[jurasic1968]

Great song. Regarding the quality of his gospel albums to me there are in order:
1. His Hand in Mine (his voice at best)
2. How Great Thou Art
3. He Touched Me (in some songs his voice it's not so good).

[drjohncarpenter]

"Stand By Me" is a beautiful and fully-committed performance from Elvis, the recording seems to have an almost ethereal quality. Like so many of the songs drawn upon for the LP sessions in 1966, he may have been deeply influenced by the RCA recording issued in 1958 by the Statesmen Quartet, released right around the time of his two-week furlough that June.

580602_RCA LPM 1605_01.jpg

580602_RCA LPM 1605_02.jpg

The Statesmen Quartet Sings With Hovie Lister (RCA Victor LPM-1605, June 2, 1958)



If Presley was demoing "Stand By Me" in April 1959 while over in Germany, this record might be a safe bet for the reason why. The liner notes are quite good. The Statesmen with Hovie Lister was perhaps his favorite quartet, so no doubt he would have enjoyed reading this summary of the current group. Here's my transcription of them:

This is the second album of songs by the sensational group of handsome young men who have achieved a place in the hearts of gospel music lovers unrivaled by any other quartet. The music of the Statesmen Quartet and Hovie Lister has been an inspiration to everyone who has attended one of their gospel sings in the many great cities they visit. If you have attended one of their programs, you have probably come face to face with these young Christians whose songs come from the heart, and you have probably been amazed at the vitality and drive which characterize their appearance. If you've never met the Statesmen, they are offering you and open invitation to come up and say "hello" the next time they come your way

Come up and shake hands with:
HOVIE LISTER, organizer of the group, pianist and master of ceremonies. Hovie has realized his earliest ambitions—to sing and preach the gospel. An ordained minister, he manages to fulfill a strenuous touring schedule and always return home for Sunday services at the Mount Zion Baptist Church near Marietta, Georgia.

DOY OTT, the Statesmen’s baritone and one of the foremost songwriters and accompanists in the world of gospel music. Doy, a native of McAlester, Oklahoma, is part Choctaw Indian.

BIG (6' 3") CHIEF WETHERINGTON, whose deep bass voice and wonderful personality attract crowds at every appearance.

JAKE HESS, whose great gospel singing is heard in most of the solo parts. Only his love for inspirational music has kept Jake from becoming one of the really great popular singers in the nation.

C. G. "CAT" FREEMAN, tenor singing star, who hails from Fyffe, Alabama. “Cat” is one of the newest members of the quartet, but a real veteran none the less. He was with the Statesmen at the beginning and returned after the death of the late and beloved Denver Crumpler. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, as do all of the Statesmen.

Despite the rigorous one-night stands, the Statesmen stay fresh and enthusiastic because of their own system of traveling. Some time ago they acquired a 37-passenger bus which they completely remodeled. The entire interior of the bus was removed; they installed modern “sleepers,” a wardrobe department which accommodates their many changes of clothes, a special make-up department, and other comforts of home.

This bus, painted a bright gold with “Statesmen Quartet” lettered on its sides in black and silver, signals the arrival of the group when they come into your city or town.

PAUL JONES
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION

© by Radio Corporation of America, 1958

Interesting, too, that there are not one but two songs on How Great Thou Art which originated with Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley, "Stand By Me" and "By And By" (aka "We'll Understand Better By And By"). Unsurprisingly, each credit appears as "Arr: Elvis Presley" on the RCA label, despite Tindley having copyrighted his work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_by_Me_(Charles_Albert_Tindley_song)

As I've noted elsewhere, this was how management and publishing operated when it came to Elvis.

[jeanno]

STAND BY ME is a beautiful recording. Vocally, it's outstanding although I agree with jurasic68: not as stunning as "His hand in mine" but miles better than "He touched me".

[GERRY]

Another recording that makes me wonder where did that vocal come from?

Absolutely beautiful forever. And i truly believe these recordings will continue grow in stature for future generations.

Keep these posts coming.

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Thank you for the audio rip Juan Luis . Love this song with Elvis outstanding vocal on it!.

That said, I still prefer His Hand In Mine lp over "How Great Thou Art" lp, as some have stated here! . Bye for now .

[Davelee]

Great song. Regarding the quality of his gospel albums to me there are in order:
1. His Hand in Mine (his voice at best)
2. How Great Thou Art
3. He Touched Me (in some songs his voice it's not so good).

I agree. His Hand In Mine is his best gospel album by far. "Stand By Me" is good.

[MikeFromHolland]

.

This comes from a personal unedited RCA reference acetate. Not the available heavily edited open-ended RCA promo interview.

Thanks for sharing! Very kind of you.

It's hard to compare the album His Hand In Mine with How Great Thou Art. Elvis seems to have two completely different voices on them.

Stand By Me: brilliant.

.

[Chris Roberts]

A real favourite of mine. I concur with what Shane said about not having to be a believer to still appreciate this masterpiece. The same can be said of another favourite 'Further Along'.

Going against popular opinion, How Great Thou Art is my own personnel favourite gospel album, followed by His Hand In Mine. The lyrics in so many of the HGTA songs such as the two mentioned plus others like 'So High' and By and By' really resonate with this listener.

[Davelee]

A real favourite of mine. I concur with what Shane said about not having to be a believer to still appreciate this masterpiece. The same can be said of another favourite 'Further Along'.

Going against popular opinion, How Great Thou Art is my own personnel favourite gospel album, followed by His Hand In Mine. The lyrics in so many of the HGTA songs such as the two mentioned plus others like 'So High' and By and By' really resonate with this listener.

The best version of "Further Along" comes from the Million Dollar Quartet", I think.

[musiclover1979]

Stand By Me is just a brilliant performance of a brilliant song.
To me it sounds modern and timeless compared to every other recording by our man.

[jurasic1968]

Stand By Me is just a brilliant performance of a brilliant song.
To me it sounds modern and timeless compared to every other recording by our man.

You gotta be kidding. Modern and timeless compared to every other recording Elvis made???? C'mon.

[Davelee]

Stand By Me is just a brilliant performance of a brilliant song.
To me it sounds modern and timeless compared to every other recording by our man.

You gotta be kidding. Modern and timeless compared to every other recording Elvis made???? C'mon.

Yes, its a bit crazy to say that.

[musiclover1979]

Maybe that was an overstatement. There are many other timeless recordings by Elvis.
It still sounds modern to me.