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Surrender

Rating:
4.4 / 5

Words & Music: Doc Pomus Mort Shuman

When we kiss my heart's on fire
Burning with a strange desire
And I know, each time I kiss you
That your heart's on fire too

So, my darling, please surrender
All your love so warm and tender
Let me hold you in my arms, dear
While the moon shines bright above

All the stars will tell the story
Of our love and all its glory
Let us take this night of magic
And make it a night of love

Won't you please surrender to me
Your lips, your arms, your heart, dear
Be mine forever
Be mine tonight

Recordingdate: 1960/10/30, first released on: single (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Surrender:

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

Availability

Find available albums with Surrender.

Deano1 wrote on March 05, 2010
One of the best vocal peformances of Elvis' career. Smooth as silk in some parts of the song and unbelieveably powerful in other places. The notes he hits at the end of the song on the words "forever" and "tonight" are amazing. His growth as a vocalist, from the song "First In Line" just four years previous to this one, was remarkable.
NONE000000 wrote on March 25, 2010
I'm not at a loss for words here very often, but I can only really think of one word for this one: Perfect.
old shep wrote on March 25, 2010
A short but sensational song based on the melody of the Neapolitan ballad, Come Back to Sorrento. which was composed in the 1902 and provided with new lyrics by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman in 1960 for Elvis' single. Making the top spot on the charts in the UK and America.
dgirl wrote on March 25, 2010
Perfection
My boy, my boy wrote on March 25, 2010
Now talk about some vocal delivery !
Pedro Nuno wrote on March 25, 2010
Love it. Elvis at his best.
derekd wrote on March 25, 2010
The title was short, the song was short, but the memories of this recording go on & on & on. Not often i give 5 stars. One of few, one of the best.......
Steve Morse wrote on July 20, 2012
Arguably Elvis's finest vocal performance. The whole construction of the arrangement, from the James Bond type opening to the final thrilling note, is perfection. Even more amazing is that Elvis recorded this powerhouse during his delicate-voiced His Hand In Mine sessions. Elvis is reported to have sung this live during at least one of his Memphis charity shows in March 1961, but seemingly never thereafter. Though he sang It's Now Or Never many times, live, I think he lacked the confidence to attempt Surrender, perhaps realising he could not top his 1960 recording.
Great Dane wrote on July 20, 2012
Perfection indeed.5 stars definitely.
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on July 20, 2012
Far too short as is his version of "Hurt", but having said that, Elvis in great voice. I remember playing it to my parent's... mum and dad were fan's also, lovely memeories.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on July 20, 2012
Elvis, at full Elvis power ! Amazing performance.
Steve V wrote on July 20, 2012
This is probably the best his voice ever was ,1960-61. It could still rock like the 50's and turn out flawless ballads like this, smooth as silk without being over the top. It was never this versatile again. Great song
TCB1974 wrote on July 20, 2012
Elvis at his best. 1960 is my favorite studio recording year, even better than 1969.
Gorse wrote on October 16, 2012
I have this on my profile as my favourite song so that says it all from my point of view. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Music Industry finally realised there was more to Elvis Presley than rock, and boy could he sing, yes really sing.
ElvisSacramento wrote on October 26, 2012
This is such a stellar and fun song and it's my 2nd most favorite Elvis song. It rightfully was a #1 hit for Elvis here in the United States.
Cruiser621 wrote on April 07, 2013
Not one of my favorites; probably because it was too close to "It's Now Or Never" as to the sound and projection.
sugartummy wrote on May 15, 2013
On previous takes Elvis didn't give it all. I think he wanted the musicians to be perfect, before he hit those perfect notes on the master take. Amazing stuff.
TheMemphisFan wrote on August 05, 2015
Millie Kirkham's soprano voice shines on this one.
doctorcmp wrote on June 11, 2019
From the technical standpoint, this is the most difficult song he ever recorded. The finest vocal performance by the greatest vocal performer of all time.
Milky White Way wrote on March 22, 2022
It’s not my favourite song but that’s why I love Elvis. His talent was so vast and unmatchable that such an outstanding, perfect, sublime song like this, is not even in my top ten. No other artist could do a cover of this song and match his voice. 5 stars.
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