Introduction
“Sylvia” is a song by Elvis Presley from his 1972 album “Elvis Now.” It was recorded on the penultimate day of the Nashville recording sessions in June 1970, during which more than 30 songs were recorded for various albums. Despite being thematically appropriate for the “That’s The Way It Is” album in 1970 and “Love Letters from Elvis” album in 1971, RCA Victor did not include “Sylvia” on either release. The song eventually appeared on the “Elvis Now” album in 1972.
The 2008 Follow That Dream (FTD) re-release of “Love Letters from Elvis” included the master version of “Sylvia” (Take 8) along with its outtakes. Another version of the song was recorded on July 15, 1970, during rehearsals for the MGM documentary “That’s the Way It Is.” Presley, vocalizing to the TCB Band, indicated his willingness to revive the song for upcoming Las Vegas concerts. However, the lackluster response from the musicians led to the idea being abandoned.
In 1972, “Sylvia” reached the top of the charts in Brazil.
Recorded in Nashville’s RCA Studio B on a serendipitously gloomy June 8th, 1970, “Sylvia” emerged during a prolific session that yielded over 30 songs. Though details surrounding its inspiration remain unclear, whispers weave a compelling narrative. Some connect the song’s yearning verses to Elvis’s own tumultuous relationship with Priscilla, then on the brink of divorce. Others point to its potential dedication to an unknown muse, a fleeting encounter leaving an indelible mark on the King’s heart.
Whatever the truth, “Sylvia” transcends personal context. The song’s power lies in its universality. Every note whispers of farewells and lingering memories, of chasing phantoms in candlelight and drowning sorrows in moonlight. Presley’s voice, husky with vulnerability, imbues the lyrics with a raw honesty that tugs at the heartstrings. He paints a vivid picture of empty rooms and unkept promises, of haunted dreams where “every corner holds your smile.”
“Sylvia” isn’t merely a ballad; it’s a whispered confession, a poignant lament for love lost. It’s a song that resonates across generations, finding solace in shared grief and lost connections. So, let the music wash over you, close your eyes, and journey into the bittersweet world of “Sylvia” – a testament to the enduring power of lost love, preserved in Elvis Presley’s timeless voice.
Video
Lyrics
These long lonely eveningsHere I am on the phoneWondering if she will callShe said she would write me‘Cause she knows I’m aloneBut I hear nothing at allI’m waiting for a word of love from Sylvia.You think she’d never heard of love my Sylvia,But when I’m with her Lord, I forgive her‘Cause she’s more than the whole world to meThere’s nothing like a word of love from SylviaThe only one I’m thinking of is SylviaFeeling so sad now, I’ll be so glad nowIf I just had my Sylvia with meThat old weepin’ willowSeems to whisper her nameWhy did she go awayThe tears on my pillowThey’re not hard to explainThere’s nothing else I can sayI’m waiting for a word of love from Sylvia.You think she’d never heard of love my Sylvia,But when I’m with her Lord, I forgive her‘Cause she’s more than the whole world to meThere’s nothing in the world like SylviaThe only one I’m thinking of is SylviaFeeling so sad now, I’ll be so glad nowIf I just had my Sylvia with me.