Elvis Presley Lyrics
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X W Y Z
I'm Leavin'
Words & Music by Michael Jarrett / Sonny Charles
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Well I know, if I'd arrived in time to know you
You'd have taken the time to show me
I wouldn't be lonely
Where will I go, who will I have to lie beside me
Is it something that's inside 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 the dream
I'm, I'm leavin
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
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 the dream
I'm, I'm leavin
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
I'm, I'm leavin
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Recorded: 1971/05/20, first released on single
I'm Leavin' is moody and restrained. Presley did not rely on his pipes to carry this song. Instead he depended on his artistic sensibilities to get the song's story across ... Presley and his group 'committed a good deal of hard, sustained effort' to I'm Leavin'. They were not rushing through this one. Between takes, Presley acknowledged his fondness for the song, saying, 'Phew man, it's tough, but the thing is worth working on'.
Michael Jarrett: I came out of the shower 10 minutes later with the first two verses and the la la hook, and played it for Sonny. He suggested I repeat the build up to the I'm leavin' part, in other words do it twice, ah ah ah ah, then again, ah ah ah ah...I'm leavin'. I felt that suggestion was the key to the build and gave the song its impact, and I gave Sonny half writers credit because of this idea he had. Then the bridge had to be written and Sonny and I started throwing out ideas, and he would say things to me and give me ideas where to take it, we brain stormed for a half hour or so when all of a sudden the words started coming out of me, and they were all about my experience with this girl in Portland again. The song was complete by the end of that day... Small as Sonny's contribution might seem to some, it was huge to me in the writing I'm Leavin'....
Interview with Michael Jarrett, songwriter, I'm Leavin'
'It was so crazy to hear Elvis sing about me!' : Michele Jarrett
January 16, 1971
Elvis attends a day of functions culminating in an evening awards banquet. He and nine others accept the honor of being named One of the 
Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees). He is nervous about his acceptance speech.
He is touched, excited and deeply proud. This national honor has been given each year since the late 1930's and recognizes young men who have made great achievements in their field of endeavor, illustrating the opportunities available in the free enterprise system. It also applauds humanitarianism and community service.
Scientists, inventors, performers, film makers, politicians bound for the Presidency, and men of greatness in all fields, have been selected for this award over the years.
For Elvis, a man who grew up poor, and, in his early career knew the sting of ridicule from the Establishment, who, through the years has known criticism of his work, this is one of his proudest moments. It is a sign that he has achieved acceptance, recognition, and respect for his work and for the kind of person he is.
Elvis in L.A. 1971
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| I Sing All Kinds FTD CD |
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| The Wonderful World of Christmas |
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| Elvis: He Touched Me |
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| Elvis Now CD |
March 15, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ginger Holladay Duet) APA4 1255-12
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face APA4 1255-12
Amazing Grace APA4 1256-05
Early Morning Rain APA4 1257-SP
(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me APA4 1258-12
May 15, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Miracle Of The Rosary APA4 1259-04
It Won't Seem Like Christmas APA4 1260-07
If I Get Home On Christmas Day APA4 1261-08
Padre APA4 1262-12
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees APA4 1263-10
Merry Christmas Baby APA4 1264-01
Merry Christmas Baby MWA5 9086-01
Silver Bells APA4 1265-02
May 16, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
The Lord's Prayer (Informal Jam) WPA5 2571-01
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day APA4 1266-08
On A Snowy Christmas Night APA4 1267-NA
Winter Wonderland APA4 1268-10
Don't Think Twice It's All Right (Jam) APA4 1269-01
O Come All Ye Faithful APA4 1270-01
O Come All Ye Faithful MWA5 9085-02
The First Noel APA4 1271-NA
The Wonderful World Of Christmas APA4 1272-NA
May 17, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Help Me Make It Through The Night APA4 1273-SP
Until It's Time For You To Go APA4 1274-08
Lady Madonna (Informal Recording) WPA5 2572-01
Lead Me Guide Me APA4 1275-06
May 18, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Fools Rush In APA4 1276-24
He Touched Me APA4 1277-04
Johnny B Goode (Jam)
I've Got Confidence APA4 1278-02
An Evening Prayer APA4 1279-03
May 19, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Seeing Is Believing APA4 1280-14 (12)
A Thing Called Love APA4 1281-09
It's Still Here APA4 1282-05
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen APA4 1283-01
I Will Be True APA4 1284-03
May 19, 1971 RCA Studio A - Nashville, Tennessee
Miracle Of The Rosary (V.O.) APA4 1259
May 20, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
I'm Leavin' APA4 1285-05
We Can Make The Morning APA4 1286-01
I Shall Be Released (Informal Recording) WPA5 2573-01
It's Only Love APA4 1287-10
May 21, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Love Me Love The Life I Lead APA4 1288-12
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Temple Riser Duet) APA4 1255-01
Elvis Presley at Studio 'B', Nashville May 21, 1971
June 1971, The City Council of Memphis, Tennessee officially changed the name of Highway 51 South to Elvis Presley Boulevard in June 1971. The first sign was erected in January 1972 at a ceremony outside Graceland with Memphis Mayor Wyeth Chandler and Elvis' father Vernon Presley. When Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957, Highway 51 South and the area known as Whitehaven were 'out in the country'.
By the 1970s, shopping centers, housing developments and apartment complexes had sprung up in the area.
The actual street address of Graceland is 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard.
June 8, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Until It's Time For You To Go (Remake) APA4 1289-10
Put Your Hand In The Hand APA4 1290-02
Reach Out To Jesus APA4 1291-10
June 9, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
He Is My Everything APA4 1292-05
There Is No God But God APA4 1293-05
I John APA4 1294-02
Bosom Of Abraham APA4 1295-06
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Vocal Repairs) APA4 1255
June 10, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
My Way WPA5 2599-01
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Remake) APA4 1296-10
Releated Interviews and articles
Interview with Michael Jarrett, songwriter, I'm Leavin'
'It was so crazy to hear Elvis sing about me!' : Michele Jarrett
I Sing All Kinds FTD CD (Alternate take)
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
