Elvis’ Playful Rendition of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1977)

Elvis Presley’s performance of “Are You Lonesome Tonight” in 1977 is a well-known moment from one of his final concerts. The song was originally released in 1960 and became one of Elvis’s most popular ballads. In the 1977 performance, Elvis is seen joking around with the audience and changing the lyrics of the song, causing some confusion among his band members.

Despite the playful antics, Elvis’s voice remains strong and emotive as he delivers the classic tune. The performance has become somewhat legendary among Elvis fans, as it captures both his musical talent and his charismatic stage presence.

“Are You Lonesome Tonight” is a song originally written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. However, the version that is most commonly associated with Elvis Presley was arranged by pianist Charles Hart and was recorded by Presley in 1960. The song was released as a single and went on to become one of his most popular and well-known songs.

The arrangement features a spoken word passage in the middle of the song, which is often referred to as the “laughing version” due to Elvis breaking into laughter during the recitation. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a classic love song.