The Saddest Song Ever Recorded, According to Elvis Presley

After his stint in the U.S. Army, Elvis Presley‘s music began to change shape. Prior to his time serving his country, his music was irreverent and caustic on culture. Parents were wary of him and the effect his infamous hips would have on their children. Post his honorable discharge, Presley became a balladeer–a heart swelling, blushing purveyor of the love song, or the not-so-in-love song…All in all, his music became more sentimental. He wasn’t afraid to shed a tear or two. Find out what song Presley considered the “saddest song” he ever heard–and eventually did a cover of–below.

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[RELATED: Elvis Presley Had a Surprisingly Holistic View of the Afterlife]

The Saddest Song Ever Recorded, According to Elvis Presley

Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I’m so lonesome, I could cry

I’ve never seen a night so long
And time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind the clouds
To hide its face and cry

Much is famous about Presley’s concert at the Honolulu International Center. It defined the end of his career and, moreover, helped to usher in a new technological age by making Presley the first solo artist to broadcast his concert globally. But, the memorable moment we’re focusing on is Presley’s cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

This country hit cuts right to the heart. Loneliness is an emotion we all experience, but that doesn’t make it any less isolating. Williams made it a little less so with this track. Presley later helped proliferate that unifying message.

“I’d like to sing a song that’s probably the saddest song I ever heard,” Presley reportedly said while performing this cover in Hawaii. There’s really no arguing with him. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is heartbreaking–especially the way Presley sings it. Though there is stiff competition in the “sad songs” market, this Williams hit makes a strong play for the crown. Revisit Presley’s rendition, below.

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
Like me, he’s lost the will to live
I’m so lonesome, I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome, I could cry

Presley’s Cover Songs and Love of Country Music

It’s often said that Presley was one of the best song interpreters of all time. Though he didn’t pen his own songs, he made them his own with his powerful voice and unparalleled ability to convey emotion. Presley had many great covers to his name, including “Always On My Mind”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Unchained Melody”.

Moreover, Presley had a clear love for country music. His southern roots were definitely at play when choosing songs to cover. Though he will always be considered a rock icon, Presley did a lot for country music as well. Check out eight of his best country efforts, HERE.

(Photo by Steve Morley/Redferns)