Elvis Presley – (It’s a) Long Lonely Highway

About The Song

“(It’s a) Long Lonely Highway” by Elvis Presley – a poignant ballad cloaked in the King’s signature charm, but with a deeper story than its smooth melody might suggest. Let’s unravel the history of this road-weary tune and prepare for the emotional journey it offers.

Released in 1964 as part of the soundtrack for the film “Kissin’ Cousins,” the song wasn’t originally intended for Elvis. However, upon hearing the demo, he saw the reflection of his own experiences amidst the lyrics’ longing. The film itself explored themes of family and homecoming, emotions Elvis deeply connected with, particularly during his time in the army, separated from his loved ones.

The song’s musical composition mirrors the emotional terrain it traverses. The opening guitar strums paint a picture of desolation, a solitary figure winding through endless miles of highway. Elvis’s vocals, tinged with a melancholic ache, carry the weight of loneliness and unfulfilled desires. The melody, though beautiful, holds a yearning for connection, a longing for something beyond the endless asphalt ribbon.

“(It’s a) Long Lonely Highway” isn’t just about physical distance; it’s a metaphor for emotional yearning. Elvis sings of searching for a place to belong, a haven to escape the emptiness. The lyrics, “Searching for a sunrise, somewhere down the line,” resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost, adrift in a world that seems to offer no solace.

The song’s timeless message transcends the boundaries of the film and Elvis’s own experiences. It speaks to the universal human need for connection, for a sense of belonging. We’ve all felt the pang of loneliness, the ache of a journey undertaken alone. “(It’s a) Long Lonely Highway” offers a poignant reflection of that journey, reminding us that even in the midst of desolation, there’s always the hope of reaching a brighter destination.

Prepare to embark on a journey of introspection with Elvis Presley’s “(It’s a) Long Lonely Highway.” This isn’t just a song; it’s a shared experience, a whispered echo of emotions we all recognize. So, let Elvis’s melancholic vocals guide you through the desolate stretches, reminding you that even the longest, loneliest highway eventually leads to a new dawn, a place where connections are forged and hearts find solace.

Video

Lyrics

 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 

It’s a long lonely highway when you’re travellin’ all alone
And it’s a mean old world when you got no-one to call your own
And you pass through towns too small to even have a name, oh yes
But you gotta keep on goin’, on that road to nowhere
Gotta keep on goin’, though there’s no-one to care
Just keep movin’ down the line

It’s a long lonely highway without her by my side
And it’s a trail full of teardrops that keep on being cried
My heart’s so heavy it’s a low down dirty shame oh yes
You gotta keep on goin’, on that road to nowhere
Gotta keep on goin’, though there’s no-one to care
Just keep movin’ down the line

I gotta rock for my pillow ‘neath a weeping willow
And the cool grass for my bed

My drinking water’s muddy so don’t you tell me buddy
That I wouldn’t be better off dead
It’s a long lonely highway gettin’ longer all the time
And if she don’t come and get me
Well, I’m gonna lose my mind
So if you read about me tell her she’s the one to blame, oh yes
You gotta keep on goin’, on that road to nowhere
Gotta keep on goin’, though there’s no-one to care
Just keep movin’ down the line
Movin’ down the line
Movin’ down the line