Soldier Boy (1958 / 1960)

[jetblack]

'Soldier Boy' was originally taped by Elvis in
Room 10, Hotel Grunewald, Bad Nauheim, Germany in December 1958. This private recording is a joy:-



On March 20, 1960 Elvis recorded the song at his first post army session. It is a superb interpretation of a hit by doo wop group, 'The Four Fellows'. The song was written by band members David Jones and Teddy Williams. A top ten hit for the band on the Billboard R&B Chart reaching #4 in 1955.

It was the second song recorded by Elvis that Sunday night in March and the first ballad. Elvis had started the session with the rocker, 'Make Me Know It'.

The song featured on his 1960 comeback album, 'Elvis Is Back'.

Elvis artistry is in top form here singing with ease and smoothness. An effortless performance ably backed by The Jordanaires.



Andy

[Chucky99]

Smooth song indeed.
What a voice he had.

[colonel snow]

The original version was recorded in may 1955 by The Four Fellows (Glory 234).

Other versions in 1955:
00-06-55 - Eydie Gorme (Coral 61481)
00-06-55 - Sunny Gale (RCA 20-6227)
00-06-55 - Mel Williams (Federal 12236)
01-08-55 - Ella Fitzgerald (Decca 29648)
00-09-55 - Burt Taylor (Essex 396)


colonel snow

[lucio]

Love both versions. Usually I don't care for ballads but this one is exceptional especially with Elvis' incredible voice.

The other ballad from this album I love is 'I Will be Home Again' though how I wish Charlie's vocal could be removed.

Music will never sound this good again...

[elvisfan51]

Smooth song indeed.
What a voice he had.

His recording of Soldier Boy from March 1960 is as good of a ballad that he has ever sang!

[Rob]

Each time I listen to the "Elvis Is Back" album, this is a cut I always look forward to.

[Lee Wood]

Love both versions. Usually I don't care for ballads but this one is exceptional especially with Elvis' incredible voice.

The other ballad from this album I love is 'I Will be Home Again' though how I wish Charlie's vocal could be removed.

Music will never sound this good again...

I actually like 'I Will be Home Again' with Charlie's voice. It's unobtrusive, and the harmony is pleasing.

As for Soldier Boy, it's a song that I've liked very much over the years, but less so latterly. It's not Elvis' performance that's a problem, but the Jordanaires with their doo-doos and da-da-das. They're too loud in the mix.

I wonder of this is where the rumour started that some doo-wop songs were recorded during the Elvis Is Back sessions. This is a close as Elvis comes to singing doo-wop. It follows the rendition by the Four Fellows quite closely.

[bajo]

Took me years to actually like this song by Elvis. It was my least fav of the album. Now, I kinda like it! I'm older now

[JimmyCool]

I wonder of this is where the rumour started that some doo-wop songs were recorded during the Elvis Is Back sessions.

I think it's just that, a rumor. The person who brought it up might be misremembering or confusing it with something else (like the home recording, maybe?).

[LSP-4445]

Elvis` is in great voice on this track….same with the rest of EIB…but for whatever reason this song is something I never play myself

[drjohncarpenter]

Back in 2014 I did a deep dive on this wonderful studio recording, along with the 1959 German home demo and the hit r&b single which inspired him, by the Four Fellows. Elvis surely loved the gorgeous lead vocal by Jim McGowan.



Elvis --> Proving A Very Special "Soldier Boy" !
https://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=83847


'

[hli]

Love both versions. Usually I don't care for ballads but this one is exceptional especially with Elvis' incredible voice.

The other ballad from this album I love is 'I Will be Home Again' though how I wish Charlie's vocal could be removed.

Music will never sound this good again...

I actually like 'I Will be Home Again' with Charlie's voice. It's unobtrusive, and the harmony is pleasing.

As for Soldier Boy, it's a song that I've liked very much over the years, but less so latterly. It's not Elvis' performance that's a problem, but the Jordanaires with their doo-doos and da-da-das. They're too loud in the mix.

I wonder of this is where the rumour started that some doo-wop songs were recorded during the Elvis Is Back sessions. This is a close as Elvis comes to singing doo-wop. It follows the rendition by the Four Fellows quite closely.

Are you perhaps referring to the "such a night" Doo Wop, acapella rumour mentioned by Paul Dowling?

[drjohncarpenter]

I actually like 'I Will be Home Again' with Charlie's voice. It's unobtrusive, and the harmony is pleasing.

As for Soldier Boy, it's a song that I've liked very much over the years, but less so latterly. It's not Elvis' performance that's a problem, but the Jordanaires with their doo-doos and da-da-das. They're too loud in the mix.

I wonder of this is where the rumour started that some doo-wop songs were recorded during the Elvis Is Back sessions. This is a close as Elvis comes to singing doo-wop. It follows the rendition by the Four Fellows quite closely.

Are you perhaps referring to the "such a night" Doo Wop, acapella rumour mentioned by Paul Dowling?

He may be conflating the rumor with his dislike of Elvis' arrangement of "Soldier Boy." But if one gives the original r&b hit a listen, it's clear the Jordanaires are doing exactly as Presley wanted, to get close to the original 1955 classic.

As for doo wop, you can hear it as early as 1956, and his great recording of "I Was The One." The bridge is 100% doo wop.

[jurasic1968]

Thanks a lot, Doc.

[MikeTCB]

Another very good recording in my opinion. I don't think there is a song that I dislike on the Elvis Is Back album. I believe it was Reconsider Baby that got me listening to (and appreciating) the blues over the years.

[Lee Wood]

I actually like 'I Will be Home Again' with Charlie's voice. It's unobtrusive, and the harmony is pleasing.

As for Soldier Boy, it's a song that I've liked very much over the years, but less so latterly. It's not Elvis' performance that's a problem, but the Jordanaires with their doo-doos and da-da-das. They're too loud in the mix.

I wonder of this is where the rumour started that some doo-wop songs were recorded during the Elvis Is Back sessions. This is a close as Elvis comes to singing doo-wop. It follows the rendition by the Four Fellows quite closely.

Are you perhaps referring to the "such a night" Doo Wop, acapella rumour mentioned by Paul Dowling?

He may be conflating the rumor with his dislike of Elvis' arrangement of "Soldier Boy." But if one gives the original r&b hit a listen, it's clear the Jordanaires are doing exactly as Presley wanted, to get close to the original 1955 classic.

As for doo wop, you can hear it as early as 1956, and his great recording of "I Was The One." The bridge is 100% doo wop.

If you're talking about me, please do not twist my words. I did not say I dislike Soldier Boy, just less so latterly. Yes, of course the Jordanaires are doing as Elvis wanted. I'm allowed to think they are too loud in the mix, which is what I said.

I trust that's clear enough for you. Please do not turn it into something else.

Thank you.