I'll Be There

[CountCanada]

Just can't seem to get enough of this song lately...
I think it is well done by Elvis. I especially like the violins during the instrumental break.
I prefer it to Bobby Darin's version.
Your thoughts???

[Fabbe]

Not a big fan of this song but arrangement and Elvis interpretation are interesting - more than the Bobby's version to me.

[drjohncarpenter]

Just can't seem to get enough of this song lately...
I think it is well done by Elvis. I especially like the violins during the instrumental break.
I prefer it to Bobby Darin's version.
Your thoughts???

Like virtually everything produced by Chips Moman at American in 1969, this is a delight. Such is the high level of work created that it is really just good, not great. That's why it was passed over many times before appearing on the budget subsidiary in 1970. If only all of Elvis' leftovers could have been as special.

[Juan Luis]

Just can't seem to get enough of this song lately...
I think it is well done by Elvis. I especially like the violins during the instrumental break.
I prefer it to Bobby Darin's version.
Your thoughts???

Like virtually everything produced by Chips Moman at American in 1969, this is a delight. Such is the high level of work created that it is really just good, not great. That's why it was passed over many times before appearing on the budget subsidiary in 1970. If only all of Elvis' leftovers could have been as special.

This is tiring.

[TINML]

I don’t care for it but glad others enjoy it

[MRM]

Just can't seem to get enough of this song lately...
I think it is well done by Elvis. I especially like the violins during the instrumental break.
I prefer it to Bobby Darin's version.
Your thoughts???

Like virtually everything produced by Chips Moman at American in 1969, this is a delight. Such is the high level of work created that it is really just good, not great. That's why it was passed over many times before appearing on the budget subsidiary in 1970. If only all of Elvis' leftovers could have been as special.

I agree. I think of it as almost a throwaway, but one Elvis clearly enjoyed doing. Good arrangement. I like Darin's version too.

[Hobbes]

The singing and production are so top notch that this song, which is not the best of the crop, is very fun to listen to.

Elvis’ humming during the instrumental part is contagious.

[poormadpeter2]

It was essentially a throwaway, and Elvis doesn't know all the words, but it still works better than Bobby's original for me. The whole feel of the song is more relaxed and uncluttered.

[Ciscoking]

I really like this song ...thanks for bringing it up.

[GERRY]

I guess Elvis must have been listening to and liked I'll be there. And. You'll never walk alone.
Gerry and the pacemakers.

I think. they do easily the best version ,best arrangement. Elvis is second and Bobby Darin sorry don't like.

This is one I wish I had all the isolated vocals I would make a new arrangement.

[drjohncarpenter]

I guess Elvis must have been listening to and liked I'll be there. And. You'll never walk alone.
Gerry and the pacemakers.

I think. they do easily the best version ,best arrangement. Elvis is second and Bobby Darin sorry don't like.

This is one I wish I had all the isolated vocals I would make a new arrangement.

Bobby Darin's 1960 single B-side is excellent, but in every respect it is a part of its time in pop music. Elvis follows Bobby's lead vocals in his 1969 recording, but the release that probably inspired him during those incredible Memphis sessions was the top twenty hit by Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1965.


..

Gerry & the Pacemakers "I'll Be There" (Laurie 3279, November 21, 1964)
Billboard "Hot 100" #14, January 30, 1965, Cash Box "Top 100" #19, January 16, 1965



Listen to Darin's vocal, Elvis sure did:



..

Bobby Darin "I'll Be There" (Atco 6167, May 9, 1960)
Billboard "Hot 100" #79, July 16, 1960
B-side to "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey"

[sweetangeline]

Just can't seem to get enough of this song lately...
I think it is well done by Elvis. I especially like the violins during the instrumental break.
I prefer it to Bobby Darin's version.
Your thoughts???

Like virtually everything produced by Chips Moman at American in 1969, this is a delight. Such is the high level of work created that it is really just good, not great. That's why it was passed over many times before appearing on the budget subsidiary in 1970. If only all of Elvis' leftovers could have been as special.

This is tiring.

...but also true!!

[poormadpeter2]

I guess Elvis must have been listening to and liked I'll be there. And. You'll never walk alone.
Gerry and the pacemakers.

I think. they do easily the best version ,best arrangement. Elvis is second and Bobby Darin sorry don't like.

This is one I wish I had all the isolated vocals I would make a new arrangement.

Bobby Darin's 1960 single B-side is excellent, but in every respect it is a part of its time in pop music. Elvis follows Bobby's lead vocals in his 1969 recording, but the release that probably inspired him during those incredible Memphis sessions was the top twenty hit by Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1965.


..

Gerry & the Pacemakers "I'll Be There" (Laurie 3279, November 21, 1964)
Billboard "Hot 100" #14, January 30, 1965, Cash Box "Top 100" #19, January 16, 1965



Listen to Darin's vocal, Elvis sure did:



..

Bobby Darin "I'll Be There" (Atco 6167, May 9, 1960)
Billboard "Hot 100" #79, July 16, 1960
B-side to "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey"

Elvis was far more likely to have been inspired by Darin than Gerry and the Pacemakers, considering he was friendly with Darin. We also know that his first thought when thinking of the song is Darin. We know this from the live version where he sings a line from I'll Be There and then goes straight into You're the Reason I'm Living. Clearly the songs are connected in his mind by Darin himself as the author.

[OnStage55]

I enjoy the song very much, but prefer the in studio recording before it was sent to the Dubber.

..

[Ciscoking]

I guess Elvis must have been listening to and liked I'll be there. And. You'll never walk alone.
Gerry and the pacemakers.

I think. they do easily the best version ,best arrangement. Elvis is second and Bobby Darin sorry don't like.

This is one I wish I had all the isolated vocals I would make a new arrangement.

Bobby Darin's 1960 single B-side is excellent, but in every respect it is a part of its time in pop music. Elvis follows Bobby's lead vocals in his 1969 recording, but the release that probably inspired him during those incredible Memphis sessions was the top twenty hit by Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1965.


..

Gerry & the Pacemakers "I'll Be There" (Laurie 3279, November 21, 1964)
Billboard "Hot 100" #14, January 30, 1965, Cash Box "Top 100" #19, January 16, 1965



Listen to Darin's vocal, Elvis sure did:



..

Bobby Darin "I'll Be There" (Atco 6167, May 9, 1960)
Billboard "Hot 100" #79, July 16, 1960
B-side to "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey"

Elvis was far more likely to have been inspired by Darin than Gerry and the Pacemakers, considering he was friendly with Darin. We also know that his first thought when thinking of the song is Darin. We know this from the live version where he sings a line from I'll Be There and then goes straight into You're the Reason I'm Living. Clearly the songs are connected in his mind by Darin himself as the author.

Absolutely. Well spotted.

[joekro1977]

The strings on the official release are unnecessary, and Elvis' vocal has a little too much reverb on it.

That said - he delivers the vocal with sincerity and hits every note perfectly. The version available on FTD without the orchestral nonsense is my favorite and you can clearly hear that Elvis was enjoying singing it.

[drjohncarpenter]

The strings on the official release are unnecessary, and Elvis' vocal has a little too much reverb on it.

That said - he delivers the vocal with sincerity and hits every note perfectly. The version available on FTD without the orchestral nonsense is my favorite and you can clearly hear that Elvis was enjoying singing it.

It does seem a bit better in a basic setting, but clearly it was not a priority track for either producer Chips Moman or Elvis. They had so many wonderful masters to deal with, it was an embarrassment of riches. That said, the night Elvis breezed through "I'll Be There" was one of the finest single evenings he ever spent in the studio.

American Sound Studios, Memphis
Session for Wednesday, January 22, 1969

Without Love (There Is Nothing)
I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
I'll Be There
Suspicious Minds

As noted, his inspiration for "I'll Be There" could have come from remembering the fairly recent top 20 hit by Gerry & the Pacemakers, but his vocal performance reflects his affection for Bobby Darin's vocal work.

[Juan Luis]

The strings on the official release are unnecessary, and Elvis' vocal has a little too much reverb on it.

That said - he delivers the vocal with sincerity and hits every note perfectly. The version available on FTD without the orchestral nonsense is my favorite and you can clearly hear that Elvis was enjoying singing it.

It does seem a bit better in a basic setting, but clearly it was not a priority track for either producer Chips Moman or Elvis. They had so many wonderful masters to deal with, it was an embarrassment of riches. That said, the night Elvis breezed through "I'll Be There" was one of the finest single evenings he ever spent in the studio.

American Sound Studios, Memphis
Session for Wednesday, January 22, 1969

Without Love (There Is Nothing)
I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
I'll Be There
Suspicious Minds

As noted, his inspiration for "I'll Be There" could have come from remembering the fairly recent top 20 hit by Gerry & the Pacemakers, but his vocal performance reflects his affection for Bobby Darin's vocal work.

Elvis decided alone on that one, as he did most of the tracks recorded in 1969.

[GERRY]

Sorry I dont necessarily take what you say as 100%.

Like a lot of things this is NOT black or white.

There are grey areas.

One is it simply cannot be just a coincidence that Gerry and the Pacemakers had a huge airwaves hit with this and were doing this live on tv at the time that Elvis decided to sing it.

Also I notice the phrasing that Elvis uses is like Gerry Marsdens too.

Also. You'll never walk alone too. They were singing this anthem live at the time too.

You are hinging your whole bet on assertion that you know Elvis only thoight of Bobby Darin.

Yeah why not in the home recordings prior to this in the early 60's nearer to Bobby Darins single.

No I put it to you simply it was Gerry and the Pacemakers

G'day

[poormadpeter2]

Sorry I dont necessarily take what you say as 100%.

Like a lot of things this is NOT black or white.

There are grey areas.

One is it simply cannot be just a coincidence that Gerry and the Pacemakers had a huge airwaves hit with this and were doing this live on tv at the time that Elvis decided to sing it.

Also I notice the phrasing that Elvis uses is like Gerry Marsdens too.

Also. You'll never walk alone too. They were singing this anthem live at the time too.

You are hinging your whole bet on assertion that you know Elvis only thoight of Bobby Darin.

Yeah why not in the home recordings prior to this in the early 60's nearer to Bobby Darins single.

No I put it to you simply it was Gerry and the Pacemakers

G'day

Your information is incorrect. Gerry and the Pacemakers were not doing these at the time that Elvis did his recordings, but several years earlier in both cases. What's more, there is no doubt at all that Elvis based his version of You'll Never Walk Alone on that of Roy Hamilton, just as he did If I Loved You from the same musical. You only need to listen to the two versions to know that the Pacemakers version had no influence on Elvis.

With regards to I'll Be There, it was a big hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers in Canada, reaching #1, but only reached #14 in the US in 1965, some four years before Elvis turned his hand to it, hardly a "huge airwaves hit" - unless you think the 1965 single releases of Elvis's Easy Question and I'm Yours were "huge airwaves hits" as well, as they went as high as #11 in the same year.

[Troubleman]

I always liked this song, even the remixed version with the sax solo on the FTD 'Too much monkey business'.

[GERRY]

Gerry and the Pacemakers. You'll Never walk alone listen to. The phrasing. ..... Youll ....Ne...eh. ..Ever. walk alone

Elvis does this and its obvious where he got it from and its obvious he has been listening to the Gerry and the Pacemakers version too.

[poormadpeter2]

Gerry and the Pacemakers. You'll Never walk alone listen to. The phrasing. ..... Youll ....Ne...eh. ..Ever. walk alone

Elvis does this and its obvious where he got it from and its obvious he has been listening to the Gerry and the Pacemakers version too.

Gerry and the Pacemakers version of You'll Never Walk Alone reached the dizzy heights of number 48 in the US charts. I very much doubt that it influenced Elvis in anything

Clearly you have never heard this. Elvis is inspired by the vocal from beginning to end.

..

What's more, Hamilton's 1955 LP entitled You'll Never Walk Alone also included:

If I Loved You
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You
Unchained Melody
I Believe
Hurt

THAT is not a coincidence!!!

[DayVee Bee]

Gerry and the Pacemakers. You'll Never walk alone listen to. The phrasing. ..... Youll ....Ne...eh. ..Ever. walk alone

Elvis does this and its obvious where he got it from and its obvious he has been listening to the Gerry and the Pacemakers version too.

I think Gerry had been listening to Roy Hamilton's version too

[stevelecher]

You know, this is a negligible cut from 1969. It deserved its placement on a budget release when it came out but would have been a standout on Elvis Now or Fool.