Introduction:
Bringing It Back, released in 1975, is a ballad by the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. The song belonged to the genre of adult contemporary, a significant departure from the high-octane rock and roll that Presley was known for in his earlier years. This shift in genre reflected the changing musical tastes of the 1970s, and Presley’s attempt to adapt to them.
Bringing It Back was written by Gregg Gordon and produced by Felton Jarvis. It appeared on Presley’s album Today, released in March of 1975. The album itself was a compilation of new recordings and re-recordings of older songs. Bringing It Back was one of the new tracks, and it was released as a single alongside another new song, “Pieces of My Life”.
Bringing It Back did not achieve the same level of chart success as Presley’s earlier hits. It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This modest performance could be attributed to a number of factors. Presley’s health was declining at the time, and his energetic performances were becoming a thing of the past. Additionally, the musical landscape had shifted dramatically since Presley’s rise to fame in the 1950s. New genres like disco were capturing the attention of audiences, and Presley’s brand of rock and roll was no longer quite as revolutionary.
Despite its lack of chart dominance, Bringing It Back holds a certain significance within the context of Presley’s career. The song marked a willingness to experiment with a new sound and adapt to the changing musical tides. While some fans may have longed for the hard-driving rockabilly of his early years, Bringing It Back showcased Presley’s versatility as a vocalist and his ability to deliver a moving ballad.
Even though the song itself wasn’t a major hit, it demonstrated Presley’s continued efforts to connect with his audience throughout his career. Bringing It Back serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and his impact on popular music.
Video:
Lyrics:
If I can never see you, if I can never hold youIf I can never touch your face or feel your warm embraceI still remember talkin’, I still remember laughin’I still remember lovin’ you a lot and touchin’ you
Only bringin’ it back, only just bringin’ it backA familiar face, a familiar face just brings it all backEverything’s bringin’ it back, good songs bringin’ it backEven after so much time, everything’s bringin’ it back
Thinkin’ in my solitude, wonderin’ about your attitudeThinkin’ maybe that your love has diedThere it is, I can see it in your eyesA look of sweet surrender, a touch of too much sadness‘Cause I’ve hurt you so, you know your sorrow showsYou just can’t stay, but you can’t let go