This song is one of the few within Elvis’ vast back catalogue of which a live version was released first, even though the studio master was recorded prior to that live rendition. The live version was contained on his 1972 live album recorded at his third show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in the evening of 10 June 1972.
In regards to the studio master, Elvis laid down his version of the Kriss Kristofferson written song on 27 March 1972, in RCA’s Studio C in Hollywood, California during the same session which produced Always on my Mind, Separate Ways and Burning Love.
It did not however, in spite of it being given the full orchestral overdubs, find itself with an official release during Elvis’ lifetime. Instead, it took until 1995, when it was released on the ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes – The Essential Seventies Masters’ boxset before the song was given a public release.
Version One – 6 April 1972, Detroit
Only a very poor recording of this show is available at present but included because it is the very first live rendition by Elvis.
Version Two – 9 April 1972, Evening Show – Hampton Roads
This version was filmed by MGM for “Elvis On Tour” but did not make the final theatrical edit of the movie. However, this is in the public domain unofficially but will not pass YouTube’s copyright algorithm, so is presented here as audio only. The audio is sourced from Sony/RCA’s new immaculately sounding “On Tour” box set.
Version Three – 10 June 1972, Evening Show – New York
The RCA Live Master.
Version Four – 5 August 1972, Evening Show
Although included on the set list, it was not until the third show of this Las Vegas engagement before Elvis performed the song. It is without doubt a song made for midnight shows in Las Vegas!!
Version Five – 4 September 1972, Midnight Show – Las Vegas
From the opposite end of the engagement than Version Five to showcase the Vegas arrangement in better sound.
Version Six – 9 November 1972 – Tucson
The first of only two version performed after the end of his Las Vegas summer season, during his final tour of 1972.
Version Seven – 17 November 1972 – Honolulu
The final rendition of the year, performed at the first of three tour ending shows in Honolulu’s International Center in Hawaii.
Version Eight – 31 May 1975, Afternoon Show – Huntsville
The first of only two known post 1972 renditions. Elvis attempted an earlier version in Vegas on 30 March 1975 during the midnight show but Elvis and the band couldn’t get it together so they moved onto Funny How Time Slips Away instead.
Version Nine – 29 December 1976 – Birmingham
This final live rendition sees Elvis ask for the correct key, a sign of the unfamiliarity with the song having only performed it once in just over four years.
Elvis stops the songs and restarts after a loud noise in the background prompting Elvis to ask “What the hell was that noise?!” Unperturbed and in spite of a few sound hiccups at the start of the song, Elvis gives a touching rendition nonetheless.