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Softly as I Leave You

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Rating: 3.5 Stars3.5 Stars3.5 Stars3.5 Stars
Words & Music: A. de Vita/ H. Shaper
Softly (Softly)
I will leave you (I will leave you softly)
Softly (Softly)
For my heart would break (For my heart would break)
If you should wake (If you should wake)
And see me go (And see me go)

So I leave you (So I leave you)
Softly (Softly)
Long before you miss me (Long before you miss me)
Long before your arms can beg me stay (Long before your arms can beg me stay)
For one more hour (For one more hour)
For one more day (For one more day)

After all the years (After all the years)
I can't bare the tears (I can't bare the tears)
To fall (To fall)
So softly, (So softly) so softly
(I will leave you there)
I will leave you
I will leave you there
Recorded: 1974/08/26, first released on Walk a Mile in My Shoes
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Reactions

freedom101 (profile/ contact) wrote on Oct 15, 2011report abuse
I like the spoken version but I would've loved to hear a sung version by Elvis. Had he done a proper studio recording of "Softly As I Leave You" it would've beat other versions hand down.
TCB1974 (profile/ contact) wrote on Oct 15, 2011report abuse
Elvis has by far done the most dramatic rendition of this song. The atmosphere created is almost too good as I have tendency to skip this song as it makes you feel sad. I do not care much for Sinatra his version but Matt Monro did a good studio job on this song. Three stars from me.
GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 11, 2011report abuse
I sometimes skip playing this song, not for any other reason, but the subject matter. It can make a happy person feel very depressed. Regardless, its a nice addition to the musical legacy of Elvis Presley. And, as pointed out, can't be compared to sung versions, because, Elvis, recites the words, and only sings harmony, on the last line.
Deano1 (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 11, 2011report abuse
As stated previously there isn't anyway to compare Elvis' and Sinatra's versions due to Frank actually singing his version and Elvis just recites the words. I don't dislike Elvis' version, but I honestly don't listen to it very much. Interesting, but no compelling.
Monster (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 11, 2011report abuse
Quite a radical arrangement of a well known song. I'm sure there were lots of popular songs Elvis would loved to have covered but felt there was no point as he didn't think he could bring anything new to it. Well he certainly brings something new to this. Very emotional and beautifully performed. I can totally understand anyone feeling it was a bit too smaltzy but it was designed for a live setting and I bet it was an amazing experience to behold.
dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 2, 2011report abuse
Live songs are tough to compare to studio songs. I've only heard this done by Sinatra & Elvis and really you cannot compare the two. Sinatra wins hands down. Frank's is a full studio arranged version that is sung, not spoken all the way through. Elvis' version is just a narrative with him only singing the last line line. To compare the two is without merit in my opinion but there are those that think every song Elvis sang is the best version of that song.
Jesse Garon Presley (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 2, 2011report abuse
i heard Sinatra's version once..well only half it..because that version is without any doubt in my mind the worst version ever, Elvis & Shaun Nielsen did this song justice
bluesboy (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 2, 2011report abuse
Kitsch of the worst kind. Fake sentiment.
Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 2, 2011report abuse
I didnt care for this. After you hear the Sinatra version, all others pale.
derekd (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 2, 2011report abuse
Ideal song for Elvis if he had recorded it around 61 or 62, no backing, just Elvis going solo with guitar.
Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on Nov 21, 2009report abuse
Very touching how Elvis introduces his audience to the song and how he takes them 'by the hand' through the sentiment. To me the background singer is plain, flat (emotion wise) and somewhat too strongly present in most recordings. Anyway, the ending of this wonderful recording is moving when Elvis sings the last line, full of sentiment and depth of voice and heart taking this all to an outstanding performance.

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