The journey of a song can be as captivating as the music itself. Few realize that one of Elvis Presley’s most iconic ballads, “Love Me Tender,” shares its melody with a much older American folk song, “Aura Lee.” Understanding the Aura Lee Elvis Presley link reveals a fascinating piece of music history, tracing a simple tune from the Civil War era to the height of rock and roll stardom. This transformation highlights how melodies endure and adapt across generations and genres.
The Birth of “Aura Lee”
The story begins not with Elvis, but with George R. Poulton. His family emigrated from England to Lansburgh, New York, in 1835. George, skilled in violin and piano, pursued composing. In the mid-19th century, amidst popular upbeat minstrel show tunes, Poulton aimed for contrast. Collaborating with lyricist William Whiteman Fosdick, he composed a sentimental ballad about a beautiful woman. Titled “Aura Lee,” it was published and copyrighted in Cincinnati in 1861. The lyrics painted a gentle picture:
As the blackbird in the spring,
‘Neath the willow tree
Sat and pip’d I heard him sing
Sing-ing Aura Lee.
Aura Lee! Aura Lee!
Maid of golden hair;
Sunshine came along with thee,
And swallows in the air.
“Aura Lee” Through History: West Point and the Civil War
Though successful in minstrel shows, “Aura Lee” found an unexpected home at the West Point military academy. It became a graduation class favorite, acquiring new lyrics by L.W. Becklaw and the title “Army Blue.” The melody’s appeal transcended its origins, also becoming known variously as “The Violet” and “The Girl With the Golden Hair.”
Shortly after its release, the American Civil War erupted. Music became integral to the soldiers’ lives, played around campfires and during marches. “Aura Lee,” with its nostalgic melody, became a cherished tune for troops on both sides of the conflict, a poignant reminder of home and loved ones. Its familiarity was such that it was even referenced in another popular war song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas”: Talk about your Clementine / Or sing of Aura Lee.
Young Elvis Presley in costume holding a prop gun for the movie Love Me Tender, adapted from the Aura Lee melody.
From Folk Tune to Film Screens
After the war, “Aura Lee” continued its journey through American culture, embraced by barbershop quartets and recorded by various artists. Its military association persisted, featuring prominently in several films. Frances Farmer sang it in the 1936 movie ‘Come and Get It’. It appeared again in ‘The Last Musketeer’ (1952) and was used as a West Point song under its original title in ‘The Long Grey Line’ (1955). Little did anyone know its most famous iteration was just around the corner.
Elvis Presley’s Arrival and the Search for a Ballad
By 1956, Elvis Presley was a cultural hurricane. Hits like “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog” cemented his status as the King of Rock and Roll. With his earnings, he purchased a home on Audubon Drive in Memphis. Having conquered records and television, Elvis, under the management of ‘Colonel’ Tom Parker, set his sights on Hollywood. His first film role was secured for a Western initially titled ‘The Reno Brothers’, later changed to “Love Me Tender”. The producers decided Elvis should sing a ballad in the film, a departure from his rock and roll style.
Elvis Presley smiling and signing an autograph on the set of his first film Love Me Tender 1956.
Forging “Love Me Tender”: The Aura Lee Elvis Presley Link
The task of finding a suitable song fell to Ken Darby, the film’s music director. Darby rediscovered the 95-year-old melody of “Aura Lee.” Its simple, haunting structure required no changes, but new lyrics were essential to fit the movie’s theme and Elvis’s persona. Darby penned the now-famous words, though official credits were given to his wife, Vera Matson, and Elvis Presley himself – a common practice at the time to secure publishing royalties. Thus, the direct Aura Lee Elvis Presley connection was forged, transforming the 19th-century folk song into “Love Me Tender.”
Candid shot of Elvis Presley laughing heartily while filming Love Me Tender.
Recording, Release, and Enduring Success
Elvis recorded “Love Me Tender” in August 1956 on a Fox soundstage, not with his usual band (Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana) but with studio musicians. The session was markedly different, aiming for a softer sound. The second take was deemed perfect. Released ahead of the movie, the song was an instant sensation, hitting number one on the Billboard charts and staying there for five weeks. It became one of Elvis’s signature songs.
This practice of adapting existing melodies wasn’t unique for Presley. “Wooden Heart” used the German folk tune “Muss I Denn,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was based on the French “Plaisir d’amour,” and “It’s Now or Never” was a reworking of the Italian standard “‘O Sole Mio.”
Reflective shot of Elvis Presley looking thoughtful in a mirror, symbolizing his iconic take on Love Me Tender.
“Love Me Tender” After Elvis
While inextricably linked with Elvis, “Love Me Tender” has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including Connie Francis, Tony Bennett, The Platters, Linda Ronstadt, and even Frank Sinatra. However, few versions have managed to escape the long shadow cast by Presley’s intimate, husky vocal performance, which perfectly captured the song’s tender sentiment, forever cementing the legacy that began with “Aura Lee.”
Conclusion
The transformation of “Aura Lee” into Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” is a testament to the enduring power of melody and the unpredictable paths songs can take through history. From its origins as a sentimental 19th-century ballad, through its adoption by soldiers and students, to its rebirth as a rock and roll era defining love song, the aura lee elvis presley connection remains a remarkable story. It highlights how a simple tune, reimagined, could capture the hearts of millions and become synonymous with one of the world’s biggest music icons.
