Elvis Presley’s Solitaire. Released in 1976, this ballad nestled itself onto the album From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee. Now, for those familiar with the King’s later career, you’ll know it wasn’t all electrifying performances and hip-shaking charisma.
There was a quieter side to Elvis, a side that explored themes of love, loss, and introspection. Solitaire is a prime example of this.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
Composed by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody, the song itself is a melancholic masterpiece. The piano sets the scene, a slow and deliberate melody that evokes a sense of solitude. Here, Elvis isn’t the swaggering rock and roller; he’s the lonely man, lost in his thoughts. His voice, though still powerful, takes on a softer tone, a vulnerability that resonates with the listener.
The lyrics paint a picture of isolation. The narrator speaks of a “lonely man” who feels adrift, “the world unsure” around him. He reflects on a past love, a relationship that’s clearly ended, leaving him with a heavy heart. The imagery of playing Solitaire, a one-person game, further emphasizes his sense of being alone.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
But Solitaire isn’t simply a song about despair. There’s a quiet hope that flickers beneath the surface. The melody, while melancholic, has a certain grace to it. Elvis’s delivery, though tinged with sadness, never descends into self-pity. There’s a stoicism, a resilience that suggests the narrator, despite his loneliness, is still capable of finding his way.
Solitaire is a song that rewards close listening. It’s a testament to Elvis Presley’s versatility as an artist, showcasing his ability to deliver a powerful performance that transcends the boundaries of genre. It’s a song that speaks to the universal experience of loneliness, a feeling we’ve all encountered at some point in our lives.
But more importantly, it reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a flicker of hope, a chance to find solace and eventually, emerge from our solitude.
“Solitaire”
Who lost his love through his indifference
A heart that cared that went unshared
Until it died within his silenceAnd Solitaire is the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing SolitaireAnd keeping to himself begins to deal
And still the King of Hearts is well concealed
Another losing game comes to an end
And deals them out againA little hope goes up in smoke
Just how it goes, goes without saying
There was a man, a lonely man
Who would command the hand he’s playing
And Solitaire is the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
While life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing Solitaire
And keeping to himself, begins to deal
And still the King of Hearts is well concealed
Another losing game comes to an end
And deals them out again
And Solitaire is the only game in town
And every road that takes him, takes him down
Life goes on around him everywhere
He’s playing Solitaire