Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Elvis Presley Once Cut the Dramatic Ballad “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You”

I want you I need you I love you Elvis Presley
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Rather than a rousing rock song, the kind of tunes that helped Elvis Presley gain popularity, the King of Rock and Roll released a dramatic ballad called “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” in 1956. 

Still, the song quickly became a hit, becoming Presley’s second No. 1 single on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It also ranked No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100.

But did you know recording the song comes with a pretty interesting story?

The Scary Thing Elvis Presley Went Through To Record The Song

Written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” finds Elvis Presley professing his love to one special woman. Well, he once thought he could live without romance until she came along. Now, he’s ready to love her eternally. He asks her to stay by his side and never leave him alone – because he dies every time they are apart.

“Hold me close, hold me tight. Make me thrill with delight,” Presley sings.

RELATED: Elvis Presley: Eye Color, Hair Color, and Unknown Facts About Him

While the romantic ballad could excite any woman, the story of what Presley had to go through to record the song would scare anyone. 

Apparently, Presley and his bandmates were busy touring around the country for various performances when they needed to head to Nashville to lay down tracks for his next release. With such a busy touring schedule, RCA Victor producer Steve Sholes chartered Presley and his band in a small propeller airplane from Amarillo, Texas, to Nashville, Tennessee.

However, the airplane had engine problems that it fell through the sky quite a few times. Scotty Moore, Presley’s longtime guitarist, even recalled in his memoir how the pilot asked him to hold the wheel as he got the maps under the seat. You can imagine how terrifying it was.

While they ultimately landed safely, the experience was enough to shake everyone. As a result, the recording session went from bad to worse! Presley, who was normally the fastest of learners, had trouble getting the song right, messing up the words over and over.

After three hours with seventeen takes, Sholes decided to end the recording. While he was not happy with the result, he urgently needed material for Presley’s second album. So, Sholes took parts of two takes he liked, cut, and splice them together. Fortunately, his cuts were so flawless no one ever thought it wasn’t from a single take. “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” still became one of Elvis Presley’s best hits.

Tune in and listen to Elvis Presley’s “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” by playing the video below.

Latest Stories

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With "If I Needed You"

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

When Don Williams and Emmylou Harris came together for their duet of “If I Needed You,” they gave life to one of country music’s most cherished ballads. Originally written and ...

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of "Three Wooden Crosses"

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

When Randy Travis and Josh Turner joined forces for a 2006 episode of CMT Cross Country, it was a meeting of country music generations that fans won’t soon forget among ...

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.