Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song was released nearly 64 years ago on October 6, 1956. By this date that same year the record label, RCA Victor, reported that it had received over 856,327 advanced orders for the single. By its premier date that number exceeded the one million mark, making it a gold record before it even came out. A movie by the same name would come out later that year in November and would mark the film debut of The King himself, Elvis Presley. The original title of the movie was “The Reno Brothers”, but due to the vast success of the record the name of the film was changed to match it. Presley’s career on the big screen would make him an even bigger star than he already was.

When I was trying to choose from the dozens of clips from “The Ed Sullivan Show” for yesterday’s post (Day 196), I came across Presley’s performance of today’s tune (interspersed with scenes from the movie) and absolutely swooned. Yes, I was already aware of how handsome he was and how magnetic his stage presence was. But in this clip those things are magnified 1000 percent. Take a moment to bask in all the beauty this man had to offer, from his absolutely gorgeous face, to his radiant smile to his sublime voice. He was perfection in every sense of the word. And he was only 21 years old at the time this was filmed. All hail The King.

And since today marks the official 81st birth anniversary of my sweet mother who adored this man, I dedicate this song to her with all of my love.

“Love me tender, love me long
Take me to your heart
For it’s there that I belong
And will never part“.

Elvis Presley on the set of the 1956 film, “Love Me Tender”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvis Presley: “Love Me Tender” ( Performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on October 28, 1956. Written by George R. Poulton, Vera Matson, Elvis Presley & (uncredited) Ken Darby).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.