Separate Ways

[moodyblue40]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or new any details about the songs Separate Ways and Always on my Mind. What I was wondering was, do you think Elvis sang these songs with Priscilla in mind. I really love these songs and often wonder if their is more of a meaning behind them.

thanks. moodyblue40

[my boy]

The song "Separate Ways" is a fantastic ballad of loss and regret and I don't know for sure but I think it is connected to Elvis's marriage breakup.
The song is one of Lisa Marie's favourites [mentioned in the Elvis by the Presleys's documentary].

Red West wrote the song and it shows a sensitive side to his nature contrasting with his tough guy bodyguard image of the Memphis Mafia.
He offered the song to Elvis knowing his divorce heartache and knew he would indentify with the words.[There's a great version on the FTD release ELVIS ON TOUR THE REHEARSALS].

Finally, "Always On My Mind" is another superb ballad and the way Elvis sings it - there must be a connection to Priscilla.
Elvis chose to record many ballads around this early 70s period and didn't want to record any rock style recordings [probably due to his divorce with Priscilla, which left him totally devastated].

[Rover]

I was wondering the same...Separate Ways sounds a lot like Elvis' life, Lisa could even be mentionned: "someday when she is older maybe she will understand"
I'm not sure for Always on my mind, it could work with any woman who left him.
I have the same question for the song Stuck on you, was it supposed to be about Priscilla?

[Albert]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or new any details about the songs Separate Ways and Always on my Mind. What I was wondering was, do you think Elvis sang these songs with Priscilla in mind. I really love these songs and often wonder if their is more of a meaning behind them.

thanks. moodyblue40

I always thought so, but during the April 1972 "recordings" that we see with Elvis On Tour, he also sang these songs. But Priscilla left Elvis the day of the Opening Night of the Summer Las Vegas season.

So when he sung these songs, he was still married with Priscilla and she still lived in Graceland.

Ain't that weird?

[presley31]

I always thought so, but during the April 1972 "recordings" that we see with Elvis On Tour, he also sang these songs. But Priscilla left Elvis the day of the Opening Night of the Summer Las Vegas season.

So when he sung these songs, he was still married with Priscilla and she still lived in Graceland.

Ain't that weird?

weren't they having problems in the marriage in 69 and up??

[Tony Trout]

The song "Separate Ways" is a fantastic ballad of loss and regret and I don't know for sure but I think it is connected to Elvis's marriage breakup.
The song is one of Lisa Marie's favourites [mentioned in the Elvis by the Presleys's documentary].

Red West wrote the song and it shows a sensitive side to his nature contrasting with his tough guy bodyguard image of the Memphis Mafia.
He offered the song to Elvis knowing his divorce heartache and knew he would indentify with the words.[There's a great version on the FTD release ELVIS ON TOUR THE REHEARSALS].

Finally, "Always On My Mind" is another superb ballad and the way Elvis sings it - there must be a connection to Priscilla.
Elvis chose to record many ballads around this early 70s period and didn't want to record any rock style recordings [probably due to his divorce with Priscilla, which left him totally devastated].

I always thought so, but during the April 1972 "recordings" that we see with Elvis On Tour, he also sang these songs. But Priscilla left Elvis the day of the Opening Night of the Summer Las Vegas season.

So when he sung these songs, he was still married with Priscilla and she still lived in Graceland.

Ain't that weird?

No, it's not weird because she had already left Elvis by this time. She left him in February of '72 and these songs were recorded in March...

Here's some info I found regarding both songs:


"Always On My Mind"

Mark James, Wayne Carso, and Johnny Christopher wrote, "Always On My Mind" for Elvis, who recorded the song on March 29, 1972, at RCA's Hollywood studios. Film of the mock recording session appeared in the 1981 documentary, "This Is Elvis". Although Elvis was the first to record the song, it was Brenda Lee's version (Decca 32975) that was released first. In the summer of 1972 she reached #45 on the country chart. Elvis's single release had a 13-week stay on the country chart, peaking at #16. In 1982, Willie Nelson had an even more successful version of "Always On My Mind" (Columbia 02741), reaching #5 on the Hot 100 chart and topping the country chart. The Country Music Association named "Always On My Mind" the Song Of the Year in both 1982 & 1983. The Pet Shop Boys had a top 20 hit with the song in early 1988 (EMI-Manhattan 50213).


"Separate Ways"

Red West and Richard Mainegra wrote, "Seprate Ways" for Elvis. It was somewhat biographical in that Elvis and Priscilla had just separated when the song was written. Elvis recorded the song on March 27, 1972 at RCA's Hollywood studios. "Separate Ways" had a 12-week stay on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, peaking at #20. On the country chart, it reached a high of #16; on the Easy-Listening chart, #3. Worldwide sales were well over a million copies. The Elvis On Tour" ducumentary used an alternate take of "Separate Ways".

The above information comes courtesy of "Elvis: His Life From A To Z".

[my boy]

Great info Tony,I also think that the FTD ELVIS ON TOUR version of Separate Ways is the best available - seen in the ELVIS ON TOUR ducumentary and this song must rate high in the best Elvis ballads list.

[Tony Trout]

Great info Tony,I also think that the FTD ELVIS ON TOUR version of Separate Ways is the best available - seen in the ELVIS ON TOUR ducumentary and this song must rate high in the best Elvis ballads list.

I like that version of the song as well. The take you hear in the movie is the second take that was recorded of the song. The film that we see is actually not an actual recording session...it's a made up or "mocK" session used for the "Elvis On Tour" film.

[utmom2008]

I always thought so, but during the April 1972 "recordings" that we see with Elvis On Tour, he also sang these songs. But Priscilla left Elvis the day of the Opening Night of the Summer Las Vegas season.

So when he sung these songs, he was still married with Priscilla and she still lived in Graceland.

Ain't that weird?

I think Priscilla left Elvis between shows, isn't that right? There were never 2 shows on opening night, only one. I was there for opening night on the Summer Festivals in both 72 and 73....

[SleepyJack]

Love both of these songs,they suit Elvis as well as any songs could.He must have been thinking of his own situation when he recorded them,given the sentiments expressed in both songs.

[utmom2008]

I But Priscilla left Elvis the day of the Opening Night of the Summer Las Vegas season.

Just checked on this Albert...Priscilla broke the news to him between shows on closing night in February of 72.

[Tony Trout]

I think Priscilla left Elvis between shows, isn't that right? There were never 2 shows on opening night, only one. I was there for opening night on the Summer Festivals in both 72 and 73....

Just checked on this Albert...Priscilla broke the news to him between shows on closing night in February of 72.

You are correct. Elvis and Priscilla had already split up by the time "Always On My Mind" and "Separate Ways" were recorded.

[Joe Car]

Separate Ways, rips your heart out. Clearly, his split from Priscilla had to be going through his mind for this song, and for Always On My Mind, you can hear it in his voice. Of course it was that attribute that made Elvis so special, the ability to feel his pain and emotions through his voice, he did that countless of times during his career!