Go to main content

Heart of Rome

Rating:
3.7 / 5

Words & Music: Alan Blaikley Ken Howard Geoff Stephens

In a little while you're leavin'
Starting on the journey home
Soon I'll be alone, the one who loves you
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

Suddenly the tears are falling
As we hear the whistle blow
Hold me very close before you leave me
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

Recordingdate: 1970/06/06, first released on: Love Letters from Elvis (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Heart of Rome:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(organ)
(organ)
(harmonica)
(vocals)

Others*

(percussion)
(french horn)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(cello)
(cello)
(viola)
(viola)
(viola)
(viola)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)

*Orchestra, overdubs

Availability

Find available albums with Heart of Rome.

mak1965 wrote on May 08, 2008
Easily One of my complete faves!!!
Steve V wrote on February 04, 2011
I like it. Not my typical style of music but I like it.
Deano1 wrote on June 18, 2011
A song perfectly suited for an LP entitled "Love Letters From Elvis". Not a classic by any means, but a well performed, slightly over-the-top, at times bombastic ballad. Oddly, RCA released this song as the flipside of "I'm Leavin" two months after it was released on the LP. The picture sleeve says by request, but I think it was an attempt to have the A-side stand alone without any threat from the B-side of the singe.
ElvisSacramento wrote on October 28, 2012
This is such a fantastic, fun and catchy song and it's easily one of my most favorite Elvis songs from the 1970's.
sugartummy wrote on March 11, 2013
Not a good song at all, but damn, listen to the way he sings it. He puts so much feeling in it, like he was singing a gospel. Superb.
Gorse wrote on July 30, 2013
Reminds a tad of Padre with the stretched vocals but a whole lot better and pleasing to these ears. I like the pseudo latin touch, the convincing vocals and award this 4 stars.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on June 14, 2014
Absolutely a great vocal performance. And, Charlie Hodge does a fine job singing harmony with Elvis. I have played this song, for friends who. Never heard the song, before and they like it.
JerryNodak wrote on June 14, 2014
A '70's fav of mine. My favorite track on the grab bag "Love Letters" LP.
TheMemphisFan wrote on June 15, 2014
I like this song much more than "I'm Leavin", the flipside of the 45-rpm single. Ironically both songs have La la la la la... in the lyrics.
Cruiser621 wrote on July 01, 2017
Can't stand this song; very much like "Padre", another one that drags on and on. Not too much as to his 1970's output that I would recommend.
ntass1 wrote on July 01, 2017
Elvis is great.to bad the material he was given was weak.
jb4elvis wrote on August 17, 2019
A great performance by Elvis. He is so convincing in this song and it is a great arrangement for that time in his career. I actually liked this better than the "A" side, "I'm Leavin." In fact, when it was out in the summer of 1971, Heart of Rome was played more on the radio than I'm Leavin. Regardless, this is one of my all time favorite Elvis songs.
bajo wrote on July 16, 2020
As an album filler, ok! But single material? Not imo! There were better tracks that could have been used as the B-side to I'm Leavin'. It Ain't No Big Thing could easily have been used instead. He overpowers the singing a little bit imo. Power over feel!
Pedro Nuno wrote on July 16, 2020
This is a very very corny song… But i do like it a lot. Specially the X rated version with Presley infectious laugh and profanity, and the alternate version with a superb, and even more corny, guitar solo. The X rated version is in my Iphone favourites playlist.
Back to List