Are You Lonesome Tonight is a vinyl record memories Norah Jones music tribute to Elvis. It is one of the better covers of the song that I have heard and certainly the best by any female.
The song was written by Roy Turk and was first published in 1926. In 1960 Elvis' manager persuaded him to record his own version of the song. The Elvis version is listed at #81 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of all time.
When
I first heard this song I thought...Wow, what an incredible version of
the song. And, I had not listened to much of Norah Jones up to that point. This was a very nice and welcome tribute to Elvis.
Although I didn't know much about Norah Jones, at first listen it was obvious. She is a talented singer and gifted pianist and after listening to some of her other material, discovered....
Touches of smoky jazz, country twang, and even a little Memphis soul seem to flow through her original songs as well as her choice of other songwriters material, including great choices of cover songs like this one.
She is a gifted lady.
Of the many Elvis Presley hits and Elvis Presley love songs, she does one of the best covers of this original by Elvis that I have heard by anyone. After reviewing this video, I knew that I wanted Norah Jones to be included in my Elvis tribute songs.
The song was a number one hit in 1960 and remains one of my favorite narration type songs by Elvis. Norah adds her personal touch and puts a lot of feeling into this great original song by Elvis.
Seriously now, how much would you pay to have her sing you to sleep?
Side Note: Norah did not do the narration and repeated a verse instead at the end of the song, but I still felt the tribute to Elvis was a strong enough performance to add to my Elvis pages.
Enjoy....
Are you lonesome tonight...Do you miss me tonight
Are you sorry...We drifted apart
Does your memory stray...To a bright summer day
When I kissed you...And called you sweetheart
Do the chairs in your parlor...Seem empty and bare
Do you gaze at your doorstep...And picture me there
Is your heart filled with pain...Shall I come back again
Tell me dear...Are you lonesome tonight
NARRATION: (Norah does not do the narration here but the band really gets into the song and the guitarist blends well with the piano)
"I wonder if you're lonesome tonight
You know someone said the the worlds a stage
And each must play a part
Fate had me playing in love...with you as my sweetheart
Act One was when we met...I loved you at first glance
You read your lines so cleverly and never missed a cue
Then came Act Two...You seemed to change, you acted strange
And why I've never known
Honey, you lied when you said you loved me
And I had no cause to doubt you
But I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now the stage is bare and I'm standing there
With emptiness all around
And if you won't come back to me
Then they can bring the curtain down"
(the next two lines added by Norah)
Do the chairs in your parlor...Seem empty and bare
Do you gaze at your doorstep...And picture me there
Is your heart filled with pain...Shall I come back again
Tell me dear...Are you lonesome tonight
Click on the links below for some great content and listen to the music we once enjoyed on those great old 45rpm and LP records.
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