Elvis Presley’s Heartfelt Song: If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
About the song
If you are a fan of Elvis Presley, you may have heard his rendition of the song “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” in one of his live albums or concerts. But do you know the history behind this heartfelt song? In this blog post, we will explore the origins and evolution of this classic tune that touched millions of listeners.
The song was written by John Rostill, a British musician who was the bassist for The Shadows, a rock band that backed Cliff Richard. Rostill was inspired by his love for his wife, who was from Australia. He wrote the song as a tribute to her and their long-distance relationship. He also wanted to capture the country-pop sound that was popular in the US at the time.
The song was first recorded by Olivia Newton-John, an Australian singer who was also a friend of Rostill. She released it as a single in April 1974, and it became a huge hit in several countries, including Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US. It reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 2 on the Easy Listening chart and number 2 on the Country chart. It was also nominated for the 1974 Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year.
Elvis Presley heard the song on the radio and liked it so much that he decided to cover it in his concerts. He first performed it on May 4, 1974, at the Forum in Los Angeles, and continued to sing it until his last tour in 1977. He also recorded it in his studio sessions at Stax Studios in Memphis in December 1973. The song showcased Elvis’ return to a more country style after years of mostly movie soundtracks and gospel albums. The B-side of the single was “Taking It Easy” written by Jerry Reed.
Elvis’ version of “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” was released as a single in October 1974, but it did not chart as well as Newton-John’s version. However, it became a fan favorite and a staple of his live shows. It was included in several of his live albums, such as Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis (1974), Elvis in Concert (1977) and Moody Blue (1977). It was also featured in some of his documentaries, such as Elvis on Tour (1972) and Elvis: That’s the Way It Is (1970).
The song has been covered by other artists as well, such as Tina Turner, Brian Collins, John Denver and Glen Campbell. It remains one of the most beloved songs by both Newton-John and Presley fans, and a testament to the power of love and music.
