About The Song
Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man” was originally recorded in 1967, and it quickly became a fan favorite. However, the story of the song’s release is quite intriguing. The song was recorded as a demo in 1967 at Elvis’s home, Graceland. Elvis played the guitar himself, and the casual, intimate setting created a unique atmosphere for the recording.
The official version of “Guitar Man” was released posthumously in 1981 on the album “Guitar Man.” It is notable for its blend of rock, blues, and country influences, showcasing Elvis’s versatility as an artist. The song features his signature smooth vocals and remarkable guitar skills, which are even more impressive given that he was self-accompanied.
Elvis Presley’s enduring influence on the music world and his ability to captivate audiences with his charismatic presence are evident in “Guitar Man.” This song remains a testament to his remarkable talent and his enduring status as a cultural icon.
Video
Lyric
“Guitar Man”
(from “Elvis (NBC TV Special)” soundtrack)
Left my mama a goodbye note,
By sundown I’d left Kingston,
With my guitar under my coat,
I hitchhiked all the way down to Memphis,
Got a room at the YMCA,
For the next three weeks I went huntin’ them nights,
Just lookin’ for a place to play,
Well, I thought my pickin’ would set ’em on fire,
But nobody wanted to hire a guitar man.Well, I nearly ’bout starved to death down in Memphis,
I run outta money and luck,
So I bought me a ride down to Macon, Georgia,
On a overloaded poultry truck,
I thumbed on down to Panama City,
Started pickin’ out some o’ them all night bars,
Hopin’ I could make myself a dollar,
Makin’ music on my guitar,
I got the same old story at them all night piers,
There ain’t no room around here for a guitar man
We don’t need a guitar man, son
So I slept in the hobo jungles,
Roamed a thousand miles of track,
Till I found myself in Mobile Alabama,
At a club they call Big Jack’s,
A little four-piece band was jammin’,
So I took my guitar and I sat in,
I showed ’em what a band would sound like,
With a swingin’ little guitar man.
Show ’em, son
If you ever take a trip down to the ocean,
Find yourself down around Mobile,
Make it on out to a club called Jack’s,
If you got a little time to kill,
Just follow that crowd of people,
You’ll wind up out on his dance floor,
Diggin’ the finest little five-piece group,
Up and down the Gulf of Mexico,
Guess who’s leadin’ that five-piece band,
Well, wouldn’t ya know, it’s that swingin’ little guitar man.
[The TV-special verse:]
Well, I came a long way from the carwash,
Got to where I said I’d get
Now that I’m here I know for sure
I really ain’t got there yet
Think I’ll start all over
Swing my guitar over my back
I’m gonna get myself back on the track
I’ll never, never ever look back
I’ll never be more than what I am
Wouldn’t you know
I’ m a swinging little Guitar man