Elvis Presley - I Need Somebody To Lean On - From First Take to the Master

The musical soundtrack to Elvis' 1963 movie Viva Las Vegas is filled with more than a few excellent song. However, the upbeat songs and all that accompanies the well discussed chemistry between the movie's two stars, there is one song that is often overlooked. It is a pity that such a fate should befall I Need Somebody To Lean On because the song contains one of Elvis' finest vocal performances, singing it with in that understated almost whispering style akin to Anything That's Part Of You.
The RCA master version is a better listen, because it does not contain the saxophone which almost buries the song under a cacophony of unnecessary images of smoke filled Las Vegas lounge bars. This was no doubt intentional by the moviemakers, in an attempt to tap into the Las Vegas lounge style of the mid sixties. However, the master recording, free of this, allows the protagonist to share his pain and evoke the sympathy of the listener, even without the superbly shot movie scene, which firstly has the song used for contemplation and then thinking out loud.
It was recorded by Elvis on 10 July 1963 at Radio Recorders' studio B in Hollywood and it was twenty takes before a suitable master was achieved.
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!

[@joannemcclure3546]

You need to listen to this in a dark room or at the least, with your eyes closed to feel the emotion. The music gets to me.

[@tapsa412]

It was 1984 when I heard this from radio. My first love had just broke up with me and BOY this hit me then! I was 17 and thought my life is over! It was not. I love this. I LOVE this man!!!♥️🇫🇮

[@John-hg3zd]

The fact that Elvis didn’t do (at least) one full album with this style of music is a tragedy. But at least he did this one to give us a glimpse of his barely touched potential. This guy can literally sing any type of music there is at another level. One of a kind.

[@harrythedirty4256]

He would’ve been a great jazz singer

[@ElenaSmirnov2501]

💝No one can compare with Elvis in the beauty of voice and in such impeccable possession of his voice!💝

[@janewray8]

Listening to this HE almost shsmes the piano, HIS VOICE is SOO EXQUISITE pitch PERFECT & achingly TENDER crying from HIS SOUL. HE IS THE MOST TALENTED GIFTED ARTIST THE WORLD HAS KNOWN 💖💗⚡🌹🙏🥰🥰 'they will know YOU by YOUR VOICE..'

[@user-pf4wl3st6n]

This song is so delicately performed that you want to dissolve in the tenderness of this voice.🫠

[@theresacona1328]

Love his voice never gets old Elvis is the best ❤

[@kkp4373]

So many of his movie sound tracks have gone unnoticed. Fabulous

[@helenecinesysteme7380]

It's 1:00 am here. Was supposed to turn off the light and go to sleep-I guess I'll sleep later. "Here we go."

[@Apacheviking1961]

Immediately the music pills u in to a smoky jazz-blues club with a voice never heard before never to be heard again ❤Elvis musically walked on water 💦… 🎤🎵🎶💯🤩💥

[@mbrights3158]

So so true! A whole other dimension unto himself :) People who don't like Elvis are really missing out!

[@Apacheviking1961]

@@mbrights3158what gets me is when I meet up with a good vocalist and they just continue to bellow bull cookies not listening to them selfs and ignoring me and my Elvis advice to them! 💯

[@dianekolb3703]

Elvis' voice is soooooo sultry and sexy in this recording! I'm in love! Noone will ever compare to his amazing talent!!! No wonder Ann couldn't resist him!!! I'd melt into a puddle hearing this! ❤ Ty for sharing this! 😊

[@tinapapp7136]

❤🎹🎤SMOOTH PRECIOUS COMFORTING VOICE AND MUSIC🎼🍁🎹🌹💕❤ELVIS PRESLEY❤💕🌹🎹🍁🎼.🌹❤TY.💜

[@helenecinesysteme7380]

How this song didn't become a classic is baffling to me. So delicate and touching. And you're so right about the movie scene Leon! Superbly staged, lit, filmed, and played by Elvis-my, his loneliness is so painful here. Thank you once more Leon!

[@GeorgyinUK]

Elvis has so many ways to entertain us, even now. Thanks so much for doing this video.

[@helenludlow2331]

Gorgeous song - his voice is so smooth and rich 🎵💞🎶

[@cristinabusacca6398]

Oh sweet voice ❤

[@freesia5345]

I listened to this song on KZbin yesterday and recorded it on my recorder and deleted it from the recorder after listening to it for a while cause I didn't really like it. But today, after listening to it through all the takes, I realized how great this song is and I deeply regret deleting it. Thanks Leon for choosing this great song!! 💗

[@dianeleone1634]

Beautiful💙 """" 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@ildikonyilas4870]

Especial, touching and the best performance of this soul song. Hypnotic, stress reliever and infinitely pleasant to listen to. Amazing piano playing. Thanks for sharing. ✌️👑👼♥️🫶🌞

[@toshiojohnston3732]

The man could sing them all withvtime and discipline he could've master all of them.

[@mariaamorim1460]

Como não amar esse ser que veio ao mundo com uma voz tão marcante e maravilhosa. Só deixou saudades!!! ❤

[@jariheikkila4782]

What a voice wow 🎤🇫🇮

[@joannemcclure3546]

Velvet voice❤❤❤

[@rosecarr7956]

Velvet...just wow.

[@brendamitchell2387]

❤❤ I was always concerned with your heart. Thankful the times you were there for me. ❤❤

[@brendamitchell2387]

❤❤ I always cared. You knew that.

[@freesia5345]

This song must be a super great ballad with a jazz vibe, sung calmly as if Elvis is talking with his softest, most beautiful and delicate voice. And I love all the takes regardless of whether it's completed or not, cause listening to it through all the takes motivated me to realize how great this song is. Thanks for sharing Leon!! 💞♥️

[@sammy_the_uncool2702]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ONE LEON 💖💐 Lost for 🎶Words🎶 honestly. Elvis's voice here is so soothing... 😍😌 Gorgeous upload Leon 🌹🌹 Thanks again 💐 TCB ⚡ & TLC ❤ & peace ✌& blessings 🙏 to you & yours & to one & all here as well 💕

[@PaulT.McKenna]

Priceless vocals !

[@user-fc8zk5bh3b]

This is a very beautiful song ❣️❣️

[@melitasampson6435]

I love this song was just about to go to bed not now ❤

[@brendamitchell2387]

Sent a shock right threw me.

[@TCBees73]

Lovely song, nice to hear Elvis sing over minimal instrumentation. Great piano playing I think it's either Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brooks or both? I can hear that slide note piano!! Thanks Leon 🙏👍⚡👑⚡🎤🎹🎹😍

[@maggieshome]

I am so chilled out now beautiful song thank you Leon

[@RudysElvisPresleyChannel]

Nice Elvis song

[@mbrights3158]

Take 17 and 19..love those :)

[@philipkoen5811]

Thanxx for putting this out there....saves me a lot of time to look for the FTD Thanx ‼️👌

[@wetblanket1977]

❤

[@MichelleEllis-hq8rt]

Wow 🤩 😊

[@brendamitchell2387]

Private. I gave a heart. You always knew that. I do too

[@brendamitchell2387]

Not much i would not do for. From a distance we have been through so much.

[@judee.caulfield6386]

Great work putting this together!

[@Jad3212010]

Compare this Elvis to the 50’s Elvis and you would think he’s trapped in a Hollywood cage, still good though 👍

[@brendamitchell2387]

Sweet man and record.

[@joannemcclure3546]

What movie is this from?

[@RudysElvisPresleyChannel]

Viva Las Vegas

[@barbaramazzaglia4023]

VOCE meravigliosa ❤ Quanta professionalità, quanta perfezione, quanta magia,quanto talento, quanto amore!!❤

[@brendamitchell2387]

Katies dad used to keep coffee cans of coins under the house. That is just weird?

[@harrythedirty4256]

The dirty guts it kinda ruined the song, it’s supposed to be sad and sexy, I wish the the master take had only the piano. Also underrated