Go to main content

Never Been to Spain

Rating:
4.3 / 5

Words & Music: Hoyt Axton

Well I've never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna loose it
I can't refuse it

Well, I've never been to England
But I kind of like the Beatles
So I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it
Must be weary
Oh so good... oh feel so good

Well I've never been to heaven
But I've been in Oklahoma
Well, they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma or Arizona
What does it matter
What does it matter

Recordingdate: 1972/06/10, first released on: Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Never Been to Spain:

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

Others*

(baton)
(organ)
(percussion)
(clarinet)
(sax)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)

*Orchestra, overdubs

Availability

Find available albums with Never Been to Spain.

Lex wrote on March 28, 2008
A real showstopper in Elvis' show if he did it. In my opinion one of the best live songs for Elvis, on the same level as "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Suspicious Minds".
ElvisDayByDay wrote on April 14, 2008
A very underestimated song, especially for Joe Public, should be standard on any "Greatest Hits" compilation.
old shep wrote on April 14, 2008
Written by Hoyt Axton, the son of Heartbreak Hotel writer, Mae Boren Axton. Yeh a great show stopper which gave Elvis the chance to let loose his great vocal ability.
ijustcanhelpbelievin wrote on April 14, 2008
a great elvis song in 1972...nobody else sung it like him...when he sang someone elses song he made it his!
Steve V wrote on April 14, 2008
Great concert song. Should have stayed in his set beyond 1972. Yes I believe he made this his own, although I cant say the same for songs like Something, Whatd I Say, Get Back, Proud Mary, and others. Elvis didnt make me forget the originals on everything he sang.
JimmyCool wrote on April 14, 2008
I really like this song, specially the master version from February 1972.
sitdown68 wrote on December 30, 2008
I like the verse where it says: say the ladies are insane there...;-) I have spent quite some time in Spain doing stages working at elderly people homes and youth camps...always brings back fine memories...great song, how come that some of them are so shortlived? throughout his 70's repertoire we see that. I guess, the core set list was done for good at Burbank, those inmortal sessions set it all.
Natha wrote on December 30, 2008
Tremendous shifts of power within this beautiful song. Definitely one of my favorites. Whenever he made a serious attempt Elvis delivers such a high standard no one could ever match.
ta2k wrote on December 30, 2008
One of my all time faves. Another reason I will never limit him to merely the King of Rock'n'Roll, he is simply the King of Music. TCB
JerryNodak wrote on December 30, 2008
Love this song. Yes, the original by Three Dog Night, too. My fave Elvis version comes from MSG evenig show.
FLASHBOY wrote on December 30, 2008
This song deseve 5 stars for sure That is the Elvis i love very powerful! Ilove the original by three dog night but Presley sing it with power and emotion + he was on stage. So Elvis version is my favorite one.
Ton Bruins wrote on April 03, 2010
Suited Elvis' voice perfectly. Use to play this song very often. Could have been a big hit as with songs like Suspicious Minds and Burning Love. Very underestimated song unfortunately. Like it !
dgirl wrote on April 03, 2010
Good song, one of the highlights of 1972.
shoesuedeblues wrote on April 03, 2010
Never really been a favouite song or album.
Deano1 wrote on April 03, 2010
A powerful live version of the Three Dog Night hit showing Elvis at his peak vocal performance. Both this one and "Steamroller Blues" are songs where Elvis shows the original artists the way the songs should be sang. 5 stars.
bajo wrote on November 01, 2010
I really dig Elvis' version of this song! It's like with Polk Salad Annie from those early 70's, it's hard to pick a fav version of Elvis' deliveries. Most often Elvis put more effort into doing songs he himself never recorded, on stage! When I make live CDR's of Elvis it contains for the most part those performances he never recorded in the studio.
Pedro Nuno wrote on June 20, 2011
A great rendition by our man. Very very good. But then i've eard the original by Three Dog Night... And for the first time... It was better than Elvis version. Just like that! 4&1/2 star to Presley 5 to TDG
Rob Wanders wrote on June 20, 2011
fantastic song. i love all the versions from our man.
TCB1974 wrote on August 25, 2011
This is a powerhouse performance by our man and one of the good songs that were added to his live repertoire. The text seems to be written by someone who was psychedelic but for some reason it works and is a great song. Four stars from me.
Great Dane wrote on March 06, 2012
Love it.5 stars.
freedom101 wrote on March 07, 2012
I like this version a lot but I would've omitted the reference to the Beatles as I don't really care for their music. Yuck!
sugartummy wrote on April 17, 2013
Never liked this one a lot, although Elvis sings it great and with power. Ronnie Tutt is excellent on the Madison version. TDN's version sounds very much the same as Elvis', including the guitar solo.
atomic powered poste wrote on November 11, 2018
One of the best "live only" tracks. Powerful, the band plays great. I li,e it, 4 stars from me.
Miknik7077 wrote on October 30, 2020
Underrated live performance. Everytime he does this song in 71/72, it rocks the house. Love his version.
Milky White Way wrote on July 19, 2022
I really like the opening night Aug 74 version but they’re all excellent. Never understood the lyrics but it’s a fine tune for Elvis to smash. Especially the repeat “well I’ve never been to Heaven.” Like Steamroller, Gave me a mountain What now my love, he never needed to record it as the live versions were so good. 4 stars
Adams wrote on July 20, 2022
What an amazing performance! Both, by Elvis and the band. One of the best Elvis' vocals ever - sheer power. And I love James, Jerry, Ronnie and horns here. On my list of ten Elvis' songs I would take with me to a desert island. I know, I know - de gustibus non est disputandum - but 4,3 stars average? Kinda joke? 5 stars.
Gorse2 wrote on July 20, 2022
Sounds weak as someone who has been a fan for decades that I am a late arrival to the subtlety of this song and ultimate appreciation. Well in the last year this has grown to be quite a favourite...better late than never I guess.
Back to List