Introduction:
Bringing It Back: A Look at the King’s 1975 Single
Elvis Presley’s “Bringing It Back” isn’t one of his earth-shattering hits, but it offers a glimpse into a specific period of his career. Here’s the story behind the song:
Origin and Recording: “Bringing It Back” wasn’t an Elvis original. Country songwriter Gregg Gordon penned the tune, and Elvis laid it down during a recording session on March 12, 1975, at RCA’s Studio C in Hollywood. This session yielded material for his album “Today.”
Context: 1975 found Elvis in a commercially transitional phase. His soundtrack work for films like “Viva Las Vegas” had propelled him to superstardom a decade prior, but his focus on movies had waned. Recording new music became less frequent.
Album and Release: “Bringing It Back” found its home on Elvis’s “Today” album, released in 1975. The single itself, featuring “Bringing It Back” alongside “Pieces of My Life” on the B-side, came out on September 20th of that year. However, RCA, Elvis’s record label, didn’t have any new recordings lined up, so this was a strategic release using previously recorded material.
Reception: “Bringing It Back” didn’t crack the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 65. This reflected the changing musical landscape and Elvis’s evolving place within it.
Legacy: While not a chart-topper, “Bringing It Back” offers a window into Elvis’s efforts to adapt and stay relevant in the mid-70s. It’s a song by a musical icon navigating a new musical era.
So, as you listen to “Bringing It Back,” remember it represents a specific moment in Elvis’s illustrious career. It’s a song not just about the music itself, but about the King’s artistic journey.