Elvis could breathe new life into a song, and Let It Be Me proves that it doesn’t even need to be in English! Originally a French ballad, Je t’appartiens, the song attained classic status when recorded in English by the Everly Brothers It took Elvis touching the wax to give the song new meaning, especially when reimagined by the Royal Philharmonic in 2016.
Presley’s raw and emotional delivery is melded with an orchestral arrangement in this version where the strings swell to compliment the resonant vocals, making the lyrics feel almost confessional. The instrumentation only further amplifies the romantic essence all of which resolves with a performance that feels deeply timeless.
Elvis Presley, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Let It Be Me (Official Audio)
Elvis recorded the song first in 1970, and his passionate vocals captivated audiences. The original live versions were warm, but the Philharmonic gives the music a cinematic quality. It becomes even more breathtaking.
In terms of the lyrics, the song pleads for undying love: ‘So never leave me lonely, just tell me you love me only,’ lyrics delivered with sincerity, and Elvis pouring emotion into each word. The orchestral backing is perfect for this, where among Elvis’ vast catalogue of love songs, this sounds cinematic unlike most else. To see more of Elvis’ love tracks, check out Can’t Help Falling in Love.
Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love (Official Audio)
This version shows that while Elvis is amazing by himself, if he’s aided by an orchestral reimagining, his songs find new dimensions previously altogether unexplored.
For more beautifully reimagined classics and legendary performances, follow Elvis Presley’s official pages—because his voice will never fade.