A Desperate Journey Fueled by Love: The Unyielding Urge to Reach a Cherished Heart
Elvis Presley‘s electrifying rendition of “Trying To Get To You” wasn’t a standalone chart-topping single, but it became an absolutely iconic track, inextricably linked with his early, explosive career and featured prominently on his groundbreaking self-titled debut album, “Elvis Presley”, released in March 1956. This album was a monumental success, soaring to number 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and firmly establishing Elvis as a cultural phenomenon. “Trying To Get To You”, with its raw energy and passionate delivery, quickly became a fan favorite, often appearing in his live performances, capturing the very essence of his electrifying stage presence and his unique fusion of R&B, country, and gospel influences. It’s a testament to how some songs become legendary not just by topping charts, but by embodying the very spirit of an era and an artist.
The story behind “Trying To Get To You” predates Elvis‘s groundbreaking interpretation. The song was originally written by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton in 1954 and first recorded by the R&B vocal group The Eagles. However, it was Elvis Presley‘s explosive Sun Records recording in 1955, during those mythical sessions with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, that truly brought the song to life for a wider audience. This period at Sun Studios was a crucible of musical innovation, where Elvis, Moore, and Black (soon joined by D.J. Fontana) forged the sound that would become rock and roll. Elvis had a remarkable ability to take existing songs, infuse them with his unparalleled charisma and vocal power, and make them entirely his own. His version of “Trying To Get To You” crackles with the energy of a young artist on the cusp of superstardom, pouring every ounce of his soul into each line.
The meaning of “Trying To Get To You” is a passionate and urgent declaration of an unyielding desire to overcome any obstacle to be with a loved one. It’s a vivid portrayal of a grueling journey, both physical and emotional, driven solely by the force of love and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of relentless effort, battling against time, distance, and even nature itself, all for the singular purpose of reaching the object of one’s affection. Lines like “The rain was a fallin’, the wind was a blowin’ / I was tryin’ to get to you” convey a powerful sense of determination and desperation. It speaks to that intense, almost feverish commitment in the throes of a deep connection, where logic takes a backseat to the overwhelming need to be reunited. It’s a song about pushing through exhaustion and adversity, purely powered by the yearning of the heart.
Elvis Presley‘s performance of “Trying To Get To You” is nothing short of electrifying. His voice, still in its raw, powerful prime, oscillates between tender pleading and explosive bursts of passion. The driving rhythm section of Scotty Moore’s distinctive guitar licks and Bill Black’s pulsating bass provides the perfect bedrock for Elvis‘s dynamic vocals. There’s an undeniable spontaneity and urgency in his delivery, capturing the very essence of early rock and roll’s rebellious spirit and emotional intensity. The track is a perfect example of the “Sun Sound” – raw, stripped-down, yet bursting with an energy that felt revolutionary. It showcases Elvis‘s incredible ability to connect with the emotional core of a song and transmit that feeling directly to the listener, making it feel like he’s singing directly to you.
Listening to “Trying To Get To You” today is like stepping back in time to the very dawn of rock and roll, a glorious rush of energy and unbridled passion. It evokes a potent sense of nostalgia for an era when music was fundamentally changing, and Elvis Presley stood at the epicenter of that revolution. It reminds us of his incredible charisma, his vocal prowess, and the sheer force of personality that made him “The King.” For those of us who remember those thrilling early days, this song still crackles with the youthful exuberance and undeniable charm that first captivated the world. It’s a timeless testament to the relentless power of love, and the unforgettable voice that embodied it so perfectly.
Oldies Songs