Solitaire lyrics

[poormadpeter2]

There seem to be two distinct sets of lyrics for the choruses of Solitaire, and I've never quite been sure why. I certainly prefer the Sedaka/Elvis version lyrically speaking; I think it's considerably darker than the Carpenters lyrics. They sing that "by himself it's easy to pretend he'll never love again," but that suggests he's thinking of the world outside, but in the original version that world doesn't even cross his mind - doesn't even exist - and he's not even thinking about loving again or even how to get outside of the pit of despair he's in. Phil Cody's lyrics are remarkable, and Sedaka's sweeping melody complements them perfectly. Here Sedaka talks about the song:

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Sedaka in that clip says that there were covers better than his own version, but I confess I don't agree with that. His original studio version is absolutely stunning, and perfectly judged. For me the Carpenters sound too "pretty" to convey the guts of the song, and the same goes for Andy Williams - but Elvis and Shirley Bassey are too over-the-top. It's the starkness of the original studio version by Sedaka that works so well.

Solitaire might not have been a perfect fit for Elvis in 1976 due to the wide-ranging, difficult melody, but it's a shame that Elvis didn't turn his attention to other Sedaka songs from the period. As mentioned in another thread, Elvis would have completely identified with the lyrics of something like The Hungry Years, for example, and would have revelled in that song's wonderful chorus. He probably could have done a killer recording of the wonderful Going Nowhere. But, for me, the song by Sedaka he should/could have recorded best is this one, which switches from the slightly funky, slightly bluesy slow sections before turning into a Talk-About-the-Good-Times style revival romp.

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[elvisjock]

The earlier takes of Solitaire show more sensitivity. By the time he got to Take 7, which is what we hear on the new release, he was starting to overdo it. That said, his Take 7 reading of "A little hope, goes up in smoke" is gorgeous, and the best of the batch.

[Juan Luis]

Interesting thread! Thanks.

[Rob]

while life goes all around him everywhere

Not that it really matters, but shouldn't "all" be "on"?

[elvis-fan]

The line, “and still the King of hearts is well concealed”, is part of Neil Sedaka`s original lyrics.

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Sedaka's version is quite beautiful...

[MikeFromHolland]

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Looks like Elvis related to these lyrics. Here's a quote from an earlier post you might like reading:

The Jungle room sessions started on February 2, 1976. On February 1 it is said he flew out with the Lisa Marie to Denver to get some Fool's Gold Loaf sandwiches:

David Adler's book contains a detailed account of the event that made both Elvis and the Fool's Gold Loaf sandwich famous. On the night of February 1, 1976, Elvis Presley was at his home Graceland in Memphis, entertaining Capt. Jerry Kennedy of the Denver, Colorado police force, and Ron Pietrafeso of Colorado's Strike Force Against Crime.

The three men began discussing the sandwich, and Presley decided he wanted one right then. Presley had been to the restaurant before, while in Denver. Kennedy and Pietrafeso were friends of the owners and hung out there often, so they were driven to the Memphis airport and boarded Presley's private jet, the Lisa Marie, and flew the two hours to Denver. When they arrived at Stapleton International Airport at 1:40 AM, the plane taxied to a special hangar where the passengers were greeted by Buck Scott, the owner of the Colorado Mine Company, and his wife Cindy who had brought 22 fresh Fool's Gold Loaves for the men.

They spent three hours in the hangar eating the sandwiches, washing them down with Perrier and champagne. Presley invited the pilots of the plane, Milo High and Elwood Davis, to join them. When they were done, they flew back to Memphis without ever having left the Denver airport.

February 1, 1976 was his daughter's 8th birthday. Looks like she wasn't with her father that day. Those divorced with children, know how lonely that can feel. No matter who else is with you. No matter what else you're doing.





Next day: session time. Elvis appears in his Denver police uniform. It is evident that his mind is not on the session. Between 8.00 pm and 9.30 am three songs are recorded: "Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall", "She Thinks I Still Care" and "The Last Farewell". No happy songs. They must have reflected the mood he was in.

The next day only "Solitaire" was recorded. A song about a man, a lonely man, who lost his love through his indifference. It's obvious: Elvis stayed at Heartbreak Hotel. He seemed so lonely, considering the songs he recorded, so lonely he could die. I feel that loneliness, listening to songs like this. And that is art to me: transporting emotions.

The same day Elvis got his Memphis Police Reserve Captain I.D. picture taken during the sessions on February 3, 1976.

Source: NEVER AGAIN (http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=1487858#p1487858)




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[MikeFromHolland]

I can see how some might think Elvis is overdoing it on this song, but I like it, For some reason I've always pictured Elvis playing the piano on this one, hammering away the chords and singing his heart out.

For me Elvis' version is the most honest and emotional one. He lived it. He owned it. He's not overdoing anything at all. Anyone who has ever been in that emotional place should know that.

I like your piano suggestion.

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[Kylan]

yes anyone who has had their heart broken or lost their love feels this song, no matter who is singing it. I love Elvis' version and even tho I adore Karen, i prefer his version slightly over the Carpenters.

[YDKM]

i do like the Carpenters version and Andy Williams deeply personalised version singing " and every road that takes me , takes ME Down" thus personalising it - which Elvis is his 'passable version ' did not do.

[MikeFromHolland]

i do like the Carpenters version and Andy Williams deeply personalised version singing " and every road that takes me , takes ME Down" thus personalising it - which Elvis is his 'passable version ' did not do.

That sounds too much as self pity for my taste. Elvis nailed it.

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