Introduction:
“Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” is a song performed by Elvis Presley, featured on the soundtrack of the 1965 film Girl Happy. Written by Sid Wayne and Ben Weisman, this lighthearted track exemplifies the cheerful and romantic tone typical of many songs from Elvis’ movie soundtracks during the 1960s. The Girl Happy soundtrack album, which included this track, was released by RCA Victor in March 1965.
The song aligns with the film’s breezy storyline, where Elvis plays Rusty Wells, a singer tasked with watching over a nightclub owner’s daughter during her spring break in Fort Lauderdale. Like much of Presley’s film-related music, “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” reflects the easygoing, feel-good pop style that appealed to his fans at the time, even though critics often considered such tracks as less significant compared to his studio work.
Despite its simplicity, the song captures the youthful charm and charisma that made Elvis a beloved entertainer. The soundtrack, while not considered among his best, performed well commercially, thanks to Elvis’ enduring popularity. It features several notable tracks like “Puppet on a String” and the title song “Girl Happy,” demonstrating the mix of romantic ballads and playful tunes characteristic of the era.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Cross My Heart And Hope To Die”
(from “Girl Happy” soundtrack)
Though things didn’t look just right
Please believe me there was nothing wrong
I thought about you baby all night long
Cross my heart, I hope to die
Well, I wouldn’t tell you no lieTalk about a piece of rotten luck
You do a friend a favor and you wind up stuck
She couldn’t hold a candle to you, no siree
Very hard to handle like a model T
Cross my heart, I hope to die
Well, I wouldn’t tell you no liePlease believe me when I say
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
From you ’cause I don’t have to look too hard
To see what I’ve got in my own back yard
So, please forgive me and forgetDon’t say my alibi’s all wet
I miss those kisses from your honeycomb
This humble bumble bee just wants to fly back home
Cross my heart, I hope to die
Well, I wouldn’t tell you no lie
I wouldn’t tell you no lie
No, no, no, no, no, no
I wouldn’t tell you no lie