Introduction:
“Only the Strong Survive” holds a significant place in Elvis Presley’s musical legacy, marking a pivotal moment of artistic resurgence. To fully understand its context, we must also acknowledge its origins. Here’s a deeper dive into the song’s history:
Origins and Jerry Butler’s Version:
- “Only the Strong Survive” was written by the renowned songwriting and production team of Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff.
- It was originally recorded by Jerry Butler in 1968, and released on his critically acclaimed 1969 album “The Ice Man Cometh.”
- Butler’s version was a major success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Black Singles chart. This established the song as a soul classic.
Elvis Presley’s Interpretation:
- Elvis Presley recorded “Only the Strong Survive” on February 19, 1969, at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
- This recording took place during the legendary “American Sound sessions,” which are widely regarded as a crucial turning point in Presley’s career.
- The song appears on the 1969 album “From Elvis in Memphis”.
- These recording sessions produced some of Elvis’s most celebrated late-career work.
- The genre of this song, when performed by Elvis, can be classified as Soul, with strong elements of blues.
- The “From Elvis in Memphis” album was a critical and commercial success, signaling Elvis’s return to his roots and a departure from the often-criticized soundtrack work that had dominated his 1960s output.
- The album and the included song, highlighted Elvis’s vocal prowess, and his ability to deliver deeply emotional performances.
- The “American Sound Sessions” represented a creative rebirth for Elvis Presley.
Significance:
- Elvis’s rendition of “Only the Strong Survive” showcased his ability to interpret and infuse his own style into a soul classic.
- The song, within the context of the “From Elvis in Memphis” album, contributed to the album’s overall success and its recognition as one of Presley’s finest works.
- The recording sessions at the American sound studio, pulled Elvis back into creating music that was very popular with the general public.
- The song is a testament to the power of the original songwriters, and to the ability of Elvis Presley to take a song, and make it his own.
In essence, “Only the Strong Survive” represents a confluence of soul music history and Elvis Presley’s artistic resurgence.