Elvis Presley’s rendition of “For the Good Times,” a timeless ballad penned by Kris Kristofferson, stands as a poignant highlight in his extensive discography. Recorded during a remarkably productive period in his career, this song, and the sessions surrounding it in 1972, offer insights into The King’s evolving musical landscape. As a key track from the iconic Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden album, delving into the recording of Elvis For The Good Times explores not just the song itself, but the vibrant recording environment of the era. Shocknaue Entertainment News brings you the story behind this classic recording, placing it within the context of other significant tracks laid down around the same time. While known for rock and roll, Elvis showcased incredible versatility throughout his career, evident in powerful ballads like this and his moving collection of elvis presley gospel hymns. His filmography also covered a wide range of styles, including the musical elvis presley film live a little love a little.
“For the Good Times” Lyrics
Don’t look so sad, I know it’s over
But life goes on and this old world will keep on turning
Let’s just be glad we had some time to spend together
There’s no need o watch the bridges that we’re burning
Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops fallin’ soft against the window
And make believe you love me one more time
For the Good times
I’ll get along, you’ll find another
And I’ll be here if you should find you ever need me
Don’t say a word about tomorrow or forever
There’ll be time enough for sadness when you leave me
Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops fallin’ soft against the window
And make believe you love me one more time
For the good times
For the good times
The 1972 Recording Sessions
1972 was a year marked by significant studio work and live performances for Elvis Presley. While “For the Good Times” is most famously associated with the live Madison Square Garden album recorded in June, the studio version was laid down earlier in the year during sessions that also produced other memorable tracks.
Recording “For the Good Times”
Elvis recorded “For the Good Times” on June 10, 1972. Although the song appears on the live album Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden, this particular track was recorded in the studio and added to the album, a common practice for creating supplementary material for live releases or singles.
RCA Studio C Sessions in March 1972
Just a few months prior, in March 1972, Elvis was busy at RCA Studio C in Hollywood, California. These sessions were incredibly productive, yielding several songs that would become hits or fan favorites.
- March 27, 1972: Tracks like “Separate Ways” and “Where Do I Go from Here?” were recorded.
- March 28, 1972: This session produced the iconic rocker “Burning Love” and the song “Fool.” While these studio sessions were crucial, Elvis also performed many classics during his live shows, including hits like play elvis return to sender.
- March 29, 1972: The sessions continued with the recording of the deeply emotional “Always On My Mind” and “It’s A Matter Of Time.”
The Story of “Burning Love”
A notable moment from the March 1972 sessions was the recording of “Burning Love.” Producer Felton Jarvis played a crucial role, persistently persuading Elvis to try the rock song provided by Nashville publisher Bob Beckham, written by Denis Linde. Both Jarvis and Beckham were convinced it would be a major hit, and they were right. “Burning Love” soared to #2 on the Billboard charts and reached #1 on the Cashbox charts, proving Elvis could still deliver powerful rock and roll decades into his career.
1972: A Pivotal Year for Elvis
Beyond the studio, 1972 was pivotal for Elvis’s live presence and public image.
The “Elvis on Tour” Documentary
In April 1972, MGM cameras followed Elvis, filming him in a Hollywood recording studio and extensively during his successful 15-city concert tour. This footage became the basis for Elvis on Tour, a theatrically released documentary. Released later in 1972, the film was a critical success, earning a Golden Globe Award and showcasing Elvis’s electrifying stage presence to a global audience.
The “Tupelo’s Own” DVD
Adding to the rich archive of Elvis’s performances, the Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD offers a unique look back at his early career. This release features recently discovered, previously unreleased film of Elvis performing live in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi, back in 1956. Crucially, this footage includes sound, offering a rare audio-visual record of a 1950s Elvis concert. The DVD includes performances of songs like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and the elusive “Long Tall Sally,” seen and heard here for the first time ever.
DVD cover for Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley, featuring a young Elvis performing live in the 1950s
The Tupelo’s Own DVD also features bonus audio, parade footage offering historical context, and interviews with Elvis’s parents. Reviews consistently praise this release for its historical significance and electrifying depiction of Elvis in his prime, calling it “an excellent release no fan should be without it” and highlighting the “wonderful and electrifying” afternoon show footage.
Conclusion
Elvis Presley’s recording of “For the Good Times” in 1972 is more than just a single track; it’s a window into a year of intense creativity and activity for The King. From the soulful studio rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s classic to the prolific March sessions that yielded hits like “Burning Love” and emotional ballads like “Always On My Mind,” 1972 cemented Elvis’s status as a versatile and enduring musical force. Coupled with the groundbreaking Elvis on Tour documentary and historical releases like the Tupelo’s Own DVD, this period remains vital for understanding the breadth and depth of Elvis’s impact on entertainment. His collaborations and diverse musical interests were vast, extending even to potential jerry lee lewis and elvis presley duets and poignant farewells like elvis presley good night.
