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I Believe

Rating:
3.9 / 5

Words & Music: Ervin Drake Irvin Graham Jimmy Shirl Al Stillman

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come
To show the way
I believe, I believe

I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
Can still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe

Recordingdate: 1957/01/12, first released on: Peace In The Valley (EP)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of I Believe:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)

Availability

Find available albums with I Believe.

old shep wrote on May 02, 2008
A dirge, I have never liked the song and If anything I think the Elvis version suffers from having a poor arrangement, the Jordanaires don't help matters either on this one.
Steve V wrote on June 24, 2008
I love Elvis' voice on this one Arrangement could have been better though, but everything Elvis sang in the 50's was different, unique & wonderful for its time.
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on June 24, 2008
Great Song , Great Performance!! absolute one of my favorites. Elvis sings it perfectly
commoneverybody wrote on June 24, 2008
I always skip this track. Never liked it. Boring!
Lex wrote on June 24, 2008
It's ok to me, but nothing compared to Tom Jones' powerful and soulful version.
JerryNodak wrote on June 24, 2008
Not one of my favorites.
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on June 25, 2008
Excellent Version of this song, Tom Jones version is nothing in comparison. Elvis 's versions stands out, when Elvis Sings Gospel he means it..
theoldscudder wrote on June 25, 2008
I like the Elvis version, but the ultimate version is by Larry Chance and The Earls (doo-wop group). It leaves all others behind. If youve never heard it, do your self a favor & give it a listen.
Natha wrote on June 25, 2008
A 50s type of gospel. Love his 50s style and the drive, the latter being integrated into this song. I don't have anything with gospels, but have to admit that Elvis' voice seems to entice even me to listening to xmas carols and gospels.
FLASHBOY wrote on June 25, 2008
I love Elvis version but it's nothing compare to the donald duck one i wish that Elvis followed his style.
Rob Wanders wrote on June 25, 2008
by far not as strong as the other 3 spirituals Elvis recorded in 1957.
OtisBlue22 wrote on June 25, 2008
Simply astonishing, such feeling too. A beautiful song, tests your tear-ducts!
Monster wrote on June 25, 2008
Nice song - would have been even better done live.
Pedro Nuno wrote on June 17, 2009
Wonderful and heartful rendition! I Love Elvis Gospel, and the way he sings in his Peace in the Velley E.P., its outstanding, and even more for a kid with just 22!
dgirl wrote on June 17, 2009
It's a nice version but certainly not the best one that was ever recorded.
NONE000000 wrote on June 17, 2009
The vocal is a great mixture of restraint and full-on passion. It's like he is singing reverently (and intensely) until he is overcome with emotion right around the "someone will come to show the way" part, where he just cracks open and cries out in praise. It's a nice piece of interpretation actually, and very dramatic. (And I am not even especially religious. But Elvis' gospel music could make a believer out of most anyone with ears).
derekd wrote on June 17, 2009
Maybe not Elvis's best recording but back in '57 this was Elvis, the rock'n roller, the rebel, the teenage idol, the parents nightmare, singing a gospel song. A tester for Elvis and just listen to how he went on to record the great 'His Hand In Mine & How Great Thou Art' albums.
Cher wrote on June 17, 2009
This song touches me everytime I hear it and I feel that Elvis profoundly believed what he was singing. It almost makes me believe. Almost. As always, it's my considered opinion that no one (NO ONE) ever sang anything as well as Elvis did. So the frequent comparisons to Tom Jones are really beginning to irritate me. They are not even in the same hemisphere as far as talent goes and it's a huge compliment to Jones to be compared to Elvis for any reason. Of course, that's just my humble opinion. ;-)
Deano1 wrote on November 16, 2009
A very moving track from his first sacred release, "Peace In the Valley" (extended play - 1957) Elvis' vocals are not perfect on this one, but his effort is full of emotion and sincerity. The Jordanaires back Elvis very admirably (as always) on this one and I still get chills everytime I hear this song.
Monster wrote on November 17, 2009
Always liked this song. A very earnest delivery from Elvis, very heart felt. When Ifeel like hearing this song with some raw power though I go to Tom Jones who gives an extraordinary performance, the way Elvis would have belted out had he recorded this later in his career. I'm not saying one is better than the other because they are both wonderful, wonderful versions.
shoesuedeblues wrote on January 14, 2010
The Jords ruin the song too much for me to like Elvis' version.
derekd wrote on March 07, 2010
Got the Elvis remix Christmas Cd and the version on it is really good. Big improvement on the orginal and I can't say that very often.
Great Dane wrote on September 03, 2010
I like it,but i probably would have loved it if he had recorded it later.
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on September 03, 2010
Best version I know.Love the end when he throats it.
Natha wrote on August 08, 2012
I feel obliged to give my impression. If there is anyone who can make me listen to gospel music it is Elvis. I have to admit I hardly ever listen to it, though. And this rendition is the best I ever heard. Remember this is the early Elvis. This young and vibrant singer is voicing his conviction so intensely that it moves the listener (even when (s)he/I do not believe WHAT he is singing). It would have been interesting to hear a later version in stead of You Gave Me A Mountain over and over again. Like Cher stated: it is annoying to compare him with any other.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on August 08, 2012
No doubt, Elvis puts a lot of emotion into the song. And he sings it well. I wish he had, recorded the song again, later, in his career, when he had more of a ballad voice.
Gorse wrote on November 12, 2012
Not one of my favourites from the man, as I feel he doesn't do full justice to the song at this stage of his career in 1957. I think this would have been a much better recording if recorded in 1966.
sugartummy wrote on March 12, 2013
Easily his most boring gospel, but he sings it well. I don't know any good version of this song. Elvis' is the only one I can listen to.
DerekH wrote on October 23, 2013
Original recording lacks the Elvis magic but listen to the remix on Elvis Christmas Remixes, it now gets 4 stars from me,
ElvisSacramento wrote on November 28, 2013
Elvis' rendition of this beautiful, soulful and classic gem was marvelous. But, I think that the ultimate rendition of this song is by Larry Chance & The Earls. I also think that the second best version of this song is by Tom Jones.
jwedwards835 wrote on October 06, 2014
The greatest version of this song, EVER! I give it the same number of stars that are in the universe.
Gorse wrote on October 09, 2020
I stick by my 2012 entry in that this song did not impress me at all and is in the lower tier of the 50's offerings, however the RPO version is a step up and I would give that 3 stars.
bajo wrote on October 09, 2020
No one could feel a song the way Elvis did! His first attempts at gospel were so heartfelt! The King Of Rock'n Roll stepped down and did this wonderful song more than justice! I have always liked the original, and I must admit that the RPO version makes it even better! Elvis at his vocal/hearfelt best!
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