ELVIS - "JUST PRETEND" - ELVIS RADIO 24h

ELVIS – THE POWER AND FORCE OF INTERPRETATION

A heartbreaking love song that transports us to the feeling of Elvis, with his powerful voice and the devastating force of his interpretation.

The year was 1970. “Just Pretend” shows us Elvis at the top of his career. His discouragement caused by his past commitment to Hollywood, now gave him a break, after the success achieved in Las Vegas, after his return to the stage the previous year. Elvis now felt confident in himself, and relatively well physically, although his personal, emotional, and marital problems were still present. But it was a time when Elvis could breathe easy, even if it was that dirty Las Vegas air, as he called it.

When Elvis plays this song, a sweet piano introduces us to the beautiful melody of a ballad in which Elvis is going to express all his feelings about a love that is gone, but that continues to exist without being real, just pretending…

A love song, perfect for her powerful voice, whose lyrics focus soberly on the desire to be with the person you love: “Just pretend, I’m holding you, and whispering things soft and low” (“I just pretend to hold you and whisper sweet things to you in a low voice”) and with the pain of regret: “Oh, it’s funny but I can’t recall the things we said or why you’re crying. But now I know it was wrong to go, I belong here by your side”

The song crescendos as your heart shrinks, feeling its sorrow, its sadness, until it reaches the climax, the intimidation, and even the rage. Elvis’ voice is powerful, energetic and mature. Giving a convincing, suggestive and seductive result to the listener. The arrangements are sweet and delicate. And that ending that decreases, sinking us even more into his anger and pain.

Elvis recorded this song on June 6, 1970, in studio sessions June 4-8 for RCA, at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville.
It was composed by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett.
Arrangements by Cam Millions were added.

The song was first released on the album “That’s the Way It Is” in November 1970, and was also included in the documentary film of the same name.

A beautiful song, with a bitter taste. A magnificent interpretation with the soul of Elvis passing through our ears and our guts, with its overwhelming force.

A beautiful song, with a bitter taste. A magnificent interpretation with the soul of Elvis passing through our ears and our guts, with its overwhelming force.