“I JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING.” A SONG OF LOVE AND HOPE
The first time Elvis performed this song was in rehearsals on July 24, 1970 at RCA’s Sunset Boulevard Studios.
Elvis was conducting rehearsals for the concerts that he was going to perform at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, for the new repertoire of his third season.
The rehearsals for this month of July were already being filmed to collect material for the making of the documentary “That’s the Way It Is”.
But this particular day, the rehearsals were not filmed, which was a respite for Elvis who felt very comfortable without the pressure of the cameras, and we can hear a much more intimate, calm and spontaneous Elvis.
The song “I Just Can’t Help Believing” was composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Wheil.
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Barry Mann, born in 1939 in Brooklyn, began writing songs for his own enjoyment at just twelve years old, later leaving a career in architecture to become one of the most prolific songwriters of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many of his songs were written together with his wife, Cynthia Wheil, including “I Just Can’t Help Believing”, which was originally recorded by Mann in 1968.
Two years later, the song became very popular when B.J. Thomas recorded it and released it as a single.
The imposing and delicious version of Elvis was recorded on Tuesday, August 11, 1970 at the Dinner Show, at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The song was first released on their “That’s The Way It Is” LP, and was also included in the documentary of the same name.
The album peaked at number twenty-one on the Billboard 200 chart and number eight on the country album chart. It was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1973.
Elvis included this song in his repertoire and made wonderful interpretations of this song in his concerts. The first day he sang it in concert was at the Opening Show on August 10, 1970, at the Opening of the third season of Las Vegas.
The song celebrates the joy of found love, as expressed in the verses: “This time the girl is gonna stay, for more than just a day”.
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Elvis’s version is magnificently arranged by Glen D. Hardin, boasting a splendid profusion of backing vocals, backing vocals and strings, all underscored by a powerful horn section.
Whenever Elvis played the song, he did it in a close, intimate way, full of feeling. A song full of soul, that Elvis, as always, made absolutely his own, with an overwhelming simplicity, which, together with the work of the musicians, the orchestra and the choirs, would give it a beauty that would make it be remembered forever.
It is impressive to see Elvis subtly directing his musicians, and directly and affectionately directing the Sweet Inspirations… “Sing the song baby… One more time… One more…”.
An interpretation so sublime and magical, as only Elvis knew how to do it.
Information provided by ELVIS. El Chico de Tupelo
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