Elvis Presley – Solitaire

Introduction:

Solitaire, released in 1976, is a ballad by the iconic singer, songwriter, and performer Elvis Presley. The song showcases a different side of Presley’s musical persona, departing from his high-energy rock and roll roots. Solitaire is a melancholic tune that explores themes of loneliness, regret, and isolation.

While Presley is primarily known for revolutionizing rock and roll in the 1950s, his career extended far beyond that genre. He throughout his career dabbled in blues, gospel, and country music, and Solitaire leans into the country ballad style. The song features a melancholic piano melody, a slow tempo, and Presley’s signature smooth vocals, which deliver the poignant lyrics with a vulnerability not often heard in his earlier rock and roll hits.

Solitaire was produced by Felton Jarvis, a longtime collaborator with Presley. Jarvis had a significant role in shaping Presley’s later career, particularly during his time at the helm of RCA studios in Nashville. Jarvis worked with Presley on numerous recordings throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and Solitaire exemplifies their successful collaboration.

Solitaire was a commercial success. The song reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, solidifying Presley’s status as a crossover artist. He had found continued success not only with rock and roll audiences, but also with fans of country music. Solitaire‘s achievement on the country charts is particularly significant considering it was released in 1976, a time when rock and roll was still a dominant genre.

Solitaire endures as a testament to Presley’s versatility as a singer and his ability to connect with audiences through his emotional delivery. The song offers a glimpse into a more introspective side of Presley, a side that is often overshadowed by his high-octane rock and roll persona.

Video:

Lyrics:

There was a man, a lonely man
Who lost his love, through his indifference
A heart that cares that went unshared
Until it died within his silence

And solitaire’s the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing solitaire

And keeping to himself, begins to deal
And still the king of hearts is well concealed
Another losing game comes to an end
And deals him out again

A little hope goes up in smoke
Just how it goes, goes without saying
There was a man, a lonely man
Who would command the hand he’s playing

And solitaire’s the only game in town
Every road that takes him, takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing solitaire

And keeping to himself, begins to deal
And still the king of hearts is well concealed
Another losing game comes to an end
And deals him out again

And solitaire’s the only game in town
Every road that takes him, takes him down
Life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing solitaire