You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – Elvis Presley

Introduction

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’: A History of Heartbreak and Chart-Topping Success

“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” isn’t just an Elvis Presley song, it’s a cultural touchstone. But before it became a movie theme and karaoke staple, it was born from a chance meeting and a touch of Nashville intuition.

In 1964, songwriters Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, and Phil Spector were in New York when they bumped into producer Jerry Leiber. Complaining about a lack of inspiration, Leiber uttered the now-iconic line, “You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, haven’t you?” The spark was lit.

Back in Nashville, the trio fleshed out Leiber’s lament, crafting a story of a love slowly fading. They envisioned a powerful male vocalist, and who better than the King himself?

Elvis, initially hesitant about the song’s downbeat tone, was eventually swayed by its raw emotion. He poured his heart into the recording, his voice soaring and cracking with vulnerability. The result? A masterpiece.

Released in 1968, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” became Elvis’s first No. 1 single in eight years. It spent eight weeks at the top of the Billboard charts, won an Oscar for its performance in the 1970 film “Funny Girl,” and cemented its place in music history.

But the song’s impact goes beyond accolades. It’s a universal anthem for anyone who’s felt the sting of a love gone cold. Its simple yet profound lyrics resonate across generations, reminding us that even the strongest bonds can fray.

So, the next time you hear those opening notes, remember the journey of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” It’s a testament to the power of collaboration, the magic of Elvis’s voice, and the enduring ache of a love that’s lost its way.

Video

Lyrics

You never close your eyes
Anymore when I kiss your lips
And there’s no tenderness
Like before in you fingertips
You’re trying hard not to show it
But baby, baby, I know it

You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, oh that lovin’ feelin’
You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, now it’s gone, gone, gone

Now there’s no welcome look in your eyes
When I reach for you
And now you’re starting to criticize
Little things I do
It makes me just feel like crying
‘Cause baby, something beautiful’s dying

You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, oh that lovin’ feelin’
You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, now it’s gone, gone, gone

Baby, baby, I get down on my knees for you
If you only love me like you used to do
We had a love, love, love, you don’t find every day
So don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t let it slip away
Listen to me, talkin’ to you

Bring back that lovin’ feelin’, oh, that lovin’ feelin’
Bring back that lovin’ feelin’, now it’s gone, gone, gone
And I can’t go on