We Can Make The Morning?

[dennyelvis]

For me this follows on from the IM LEAVIN thread as an underrated song? Like IL it starts off with promise but by half way through it drops off into repetition, rather a shame really!
What's your opinions? Is it a missed opportunity, or simply an album filler?

[drjohncarpenter]

For me this follows on from the IM LEAVIN thread as an underrated song? Like IL it starts off with promise but by half way through it drops off into repetition, rather a shame really!
What's your opinions? Is it a missed opportunity, or simply an album filler?

It's songwriter Jay Ramsey's crowning achievement.





Otherwise, it's a terrible piece of material, and Elvis' all-over-the-place vocal should have told Felton Jarvis and RCA to keep it on the shelf. Instead, they released it as a 1972 B-side, and then an LP track. That worked out well.

That "We Can Make The Morning" was taped just two years after the American Sound sessions tells us a lot about why the 1970s were so difficult for our favorite singer.

[karlos]

I really like this song from Elvis Now Lp / Cd . It shows Elvis strong vocal abilities to sing a song like this . The cd itself is a good one that i like to hear time and time again . Elvis vocals stand out on this song . thats my own personal opinion
Wish he could have done more songs like this during his career

Taking Care Of Elvis Forever
Long Live The King Forever

[Juan Luis]

There has to be, and there will always be, album filler and B-side material. This fits that bill perfectly. No exception including other superstar acts such as Beatles. That being said. Not a bad song, in my opinion.

[Ciscoking]

I always had a Faible for this song.
Like..it..

[Rob]

It's never been a favorite, but when it comes on the Elvis Channel on XM Radio, I never skip it.

[keninlincs]

I don't dislike it,but it is not a favourite

[r&b]

Man his voice changed in 2 years. The subtle tones in soft singing displayed on songs like Any Day Now or Do You Know Who I Am were now for the most part , gone, and he really struggles to sing softly, but has no problem with the bombast which I guess was why it so much a part of the 70's. What caused the change? He didnt smoke. Bad health I guess and an ever increase in medication? The song? Again, so-so. Awful muddy production also.

[jetblack]

He didnt smoke.

Surely you are aware that he did.



Andy

[r&b]

He didnt smoke.

Surely you are aware that he did.



Andy

Yeah, but what I meant not a big chain smoker like Sinatra who's voice was clearly affected by smoking. I dont think Elvis was that. Prob smoked more little cigars than cigs and you dont (or shouldnt) inhale those.

[Scarre]

I like it...as with I´m Leavin´, not his best, but still.

[poormadpeter2]

The problem with WCMTM isn't the song, it's the performance and, more precisely, the fact that it seemingly hadn't been rehearsed enough. Not only was Elvis's vocal slightly tired and somewhat ragged, but the backing vocals don't seem to be quite sure of what they're doing, and nobody is as "together" as they should be. It needed more takes, but for whatever reason that didn't happen.

To answer r&b's question, the likelihood is some form of opioid medication. For some reason, something like codeine manages to dry the voice up, make it sound thinner, and it is certainly responsible for making soft passages more difficult than louder ones. It would also account for why Elvis's voice would get better and worse off and on over the coming years - leave them off for a few days and your voice goes back to normal quite quickly. The same issues arise for Judy Garland in the 1960s - loud passages far better than quieter ones for the most part. Which makes us wonder whether Elvis was frustrated with the issue in the May 1971 sessions - does he bellow his way through this song and Padre, for example, because he knows it's the only way he can get through them. He doesn't have the same issue singing quietly in March 1971 (Early Morning Rain, For Loving Me).

All of that said, a change in Elvis's voice in 2 years was common throughout his career. Elvis in 1954 didn't sound like Elvis in 1956, which didn't sound like Elvis in 1960, which wasn't the same as 1966, or 1968, or 1970. and so on.

[Tmorelli01]

Whenever Elvis sounded 'creaky' and weak on softer passages it was more than likely the result of opioids in his system. Obviously we weren't there and don't know for sure but it is a common 'tell' for people who take opioids for pain or for recreation purposes - their voices get 'creaky' due to the relaxed muscles in the throat. That 'creaky' effect was the most noticeable change to Elvis' voice between 1969 and 1971. It was much more pronounced in the July 73 Stax sessions and on display in many of the soundboard recordings as the 70's wore on.

[TINML]

Not a bad song IMO but as the Doc said the vocal is at times embarrassing. Felton dropped the ball and should've demanded a better vocal at a later date or just shelved it.

[stevelecher]

I think his voice is rich and full. I think his warbly voice reminds me of later Judy Garland on Until It's Time For You To Go. Sometimes a bit like Bert Lahr too.

[midnightx]

Otherwise, it's a terrible piece of material, and Elvis' all-over-the-place vocal should have told Felton Jarvis and RCA to keep it on the shelf. Instead, they released it as a 1972 B-side, and then an LP track. That worked out well.

That "We Can Make The Morning" was taped just two years after the American Sound sessions tells us a lot about why the 1970s were so difficult for our favorite singer.

Spot-on summation.

[DEH]

Never been a fan of this song or "Its Only Love". always skip them.

[stedders]

Personally I like the song, and I like the emotion Elvis has when singing it. My favourite elvis 'voice' is 68-70 when he could rough it up AND sing soft, but this was still good stuff here.

[jetblack]

Never been a fan of this song or "Its Only Love". always skip them.

'It's Only Love' is one of my all time 70's faves by Elvis.

Steve mentions another gem 'Until It's Time For You To Go' that I also have a LOT of time for.

Andy

[Scarre]

Never been a fan of this song or "Its Only Love". always skip them.

'It's Only Love' one of my all time 70's faves by Elvis.

Steve mentions another gem 'Until It's Time For You To Go' that I also have a LOT of time for.

Andy

Very enjoyable song.

[GERRY]

Hope those missing session reel outtakes are found by Ernst & co.

Not the best that it can be like a lot of other material during the 70's.

From a vocal point of view Elvis really goes for the high notes but its just the arr and mix that is lacking.

[dennyelvis]

The type of song that RPO could have done? So many that might have benefited, including UITFYTG!

[rlj4ep]

I have always liked "We Can Make the Morning." It was a more current sound for Elvis and I personally thought it made sense to include it as the flip side of "Until It's Time for You to Go." They are completely different songs and yet together of a single, show an attempt by Elvis to be current. It's inclusion on an album also makes sense for reasons noted by others above.
Gosh, in our high school cafeteria we had a juke box and "We Can Make the Morning" was often heard playing during lunch chosen by members of the student body.

rlj

[drjohncarpenter]

I have always liked "We Can Make the Morning." It was a more current sound for Elvis and I personally thought it made sense to include it as the flip side of "Until It's Time for You to Go." They are completely different songs and yet together of a single, show an attempt by Elvis to be current. It's inclusion on an album also makes sense for reasons noted by others above.
Gosh, in our high school cafeteria we had a juke box and "We Can Make the Morning" was often heard playing during lunch chosen by members of the student body.

rlj

Was this at Elvis Presley High School?

[rlj4ep]

I have always liked "We Can Make the Morning." It was a more current sound for Elvis and I personally thought it made sense to include it as the flip side of "Until It's Time for You to Go." They are completely different songs and yet together of a single, show an attempt by Elvis to be current. It's inclusion on an album also makes sense for reasons noted by others above.
Gosh, in our high school cafeteria we had a juke box and "We Can Make the Morning" was often heard playing during lunch chosen by members of the student body.

rlj

Was this at Elvis Presley High School?

LOL...., just a regular high school in South Jersey.