Elvis Presley - I'm Leavin'

"I'm Leavin'"
performed by Elvis Presley
Written by Michael Jarrett & Sonny Charles

Elvis recorded the contemporary "I'm Leavin'" on May 20, 1971 at Studio B in Nashville. Released as a single in August 1971 with "Heart Of Rome" as Side B, the song only reached a surprising #36 on the Hot 100 chart on August 14, 1971 and remained on the chart for 9 weeks (it peaked at #23 in the UK).

The unusual melodic construction comprised of Elvis' haunting, plaintive vocals, Alabama native Sherrill Nielsen's high falsetto and The Imperials' perfect harmonies, accented by Alabama native David Briggs' dramatic piano made this contemporary piece far ahead of its time for 1971.

After a few rough run-throughs during the recording session, Elvis declared, "Phew! Man, this is tough, but it's worth working on." His confidence was soon echoed in The Imperials' and Briggs' excitement, who declared that it was certain to be another hit. They all poured themselves into the song heart and soul, and produced a seamlessly beautiful melody that stands even today as a timeless piece.

Perhaps Elvis fans did not quite know what to make of it at the time, contrasted among his blistering rock numbers and country ballads. Elvis and his camp remained very hopeful the song would become a hit, but sadly, it was performed only a very few times beyond 1972.

"I'm Leavin'" is no doubt one of Elvis' most underrated songs, and should have been a hit. I believe it would do very well if it were re-released as a single - with the promotion it deserves.
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Lyrics:

Well, I know
If I'd arrived in time to know you
If you had taken the time to show me
I wouldn't be lonely

Where will I go?
Who will I have to lie beside me
To ease this emptiness inside of me?
I'm so lonely

Tried so hard each time
Each time I just can't make it
Feelin' fast vibrations
And I just can't take it

Living from day to day
Chasing a dream
I'm leavin'
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The last three photos in the montage:
* After his last concert performance in Summer 1977
* The last known photo taken of Elvis (exiting the Graceland gates in his Stutz, heading to his dentist's office) before his death August 16, 1977
* A concert ticket for August 23, 1977 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky - a concert that tragically never happened.

• Category

  Music

[ukgolfa]

What's sad is this: this is the type of song from '71 on that his voice had matured enough to sing, and even sadder is the fact that if the bums around him had looked after him, we could be still going to watch him sing this kind of song today...

He invented Rock 'n' Roll, but my God, on songs such as this....

[MemphoTenn]

Oh... He didn't actually "invent" R&R; Ike Turner & Little Richard deserve FAR more credit (do some reading about that). Elvis served it up to the masses in a way no one else could with his image - & for that, he deserves credit. He gave R&R the face of a good boy & showed the adults who were afraid of the music that these kids weren't bad; they just wanted to ROCK. And this song illustrates his ability to tackle virtually ANY kind of music. There seemed to be nothing he couldn't do & do well.

[sakinehbs s]

thanks for posting this , i keep it in my favorite. he is so nice and good looking, so handsome. what a voice.R.I.P Elvis we all love you .

[MemphoTenn]

I'm glad to get it out there in people's line of sight so people will remember him for something so beautiful - instead of the same heavily played songs & ridiculous movie music he hated so much but had no choice but to do. He deserved much more material of this caliber & quality. Don't know why fans didn't appreciate this more when it was first released in '71.

[Stephen Wardle]

Rather he invented it or not, he's still got better vocals then the rest. There's only a handful of people who are even remotely close to his vocals. But he used his repitore better then anyone ever. I've studied vocals for a long time. Elvis had a odd voice. Baritone singer hitting opera notes is crazy bro.

[phyllisfiredwards]

great.. he is always great.. god bless him

[sakinehbs s]

wonderful, thanks for posing

[tommyboo21]

I'm Leavin was briefly but hauningly used in the opening segment of the two part 1987 tenth anniversary BBC documentary narrated by 70's rocker Suzi Quattro. In my opinion, this documentary is by far the best. Part one is called 'I don't sound like nobody' while part two is 'Cut me and I bleed'. The program was accurate, thoroughly detailed, and slick. And of course it featured one of my favourite tracks I'm Leavin.

[MemphoTenn]

Does this not just kick you in the gut and grab your heart? I think this is my favorite of ALL his songs. So underrated! Very profound. This song should be used in a documentary or video about his life & death. So haunting. It gives me chills each time I listen. Been a fan all my life, but I never heard it until 2002 when I bought the Artist of The Century disk set. It bowled me over. Couldn't believe it wasn't a HIT! Why, I'll honestly never fully understand!

[MemphoTenn]

THANKS!

[MemphoTenn]

I think it was a combination of factors. Have you checked the website, Elvis News? Great articles there.

[MemphoTenn]

There were so many great musicians & singers who worked w/ Elvis who haven't gotten due recognition. We know more about the ones from his early career than about most from the studio, esp. from the mid/late '60s onward. Sherrill Nielsen, Tim Baty, Donnie Sumner, the Memphis Boys, Sandy Posey, Donna Thatcher (Godchaux), Temple Riser, Herschel Wigginton, Ginger & Mary Holliday, Jeannie Green, David Briggs, the list goes on & on. I think that's David Briggs on piano here. SUPERB! An Alabama native.