Something For Everybody is one of those Elvis Presley albums that just glides under the radar. It was a solid, if not spectacular release. The priorities at this time were films and their accompanying soundtracks, plus his single releases which would receive massive airplay and sell millions of copies. The original release of Something For Everybody would contain no memorable or classic songs, yet would still reach number one on the charts.
As with many of Elvis’ early album releases, the hit singles of the day were not included as they had a life of their own. This makes the modern CD releases of albums such as this one all the more stronger with their inclusion. Elvis was recording some brilliant non-soundtrack material in the early 1960’s. “His Latest Flame,” “Little Sister,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Surrender” remain essential to the Elvis catalogue and to music of this time period. All these songs are added to the CD release which serve to make it truly outstanding.
The original release of Something For Everybody contained a ballad side and an up-tempo side. Personally, I prefer a mixture of the two as the first side drags a little. The original intent may have been to create a romantic atmosphere on side one and it is up to each listener to decide if that was accomplished.
There are two outstanding ballads on the A side of the original LP release. “There’s Always Me” is a challenging vocal for Elvis with a lot of pitch changes. Elvis proves just what a wonderful vocalist he had become as he handles this difficult song with ease. “Gently” is one of the great lost Elvis Presley songs. His smooth vocal just flows along and lulls the listener into a journey of relaxed mood and sound.
The fast side, as it was called, is the better to me. When the album was released the ballad side was aimed at his female fans and the B side more toward his male fan base. “I Want You With Me” and “I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell” are excellent moderate rockers. “In Your Arms,” “Put The Blame On Me,” and “Judy” are all straight pop songs that Elvis had been producing for the past year and there is nothing wrong with any of them.
The average or even advanced Elvis fan probably could not name many songs from the original album. Yet playing it almost forty years later is a pleasurable listening experience that just slides by the senses.
Something For Everybody
By Blogcritics/ David Bowling, July 07, 2008 | Music
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Steve V wrote on
July 06, 2008
I think the really last great studio LP of the 60's until you get the Memphis album in 1969. This was slighty behind Elvis IS Back in terms of diversity and song quality but Elvis delivers all his vocal styles with ease and with a voice unmatched in pop music. By contrast one year later , Pot Luck save for a few songs, was a much less inspired work than the previous 2 studio LPs.
dressingroomrehearsa wrote on
July 06, 2008
"I want you with me" is such a great song. What a waste of talent was to follow all the way down the movie years...
Natha wrote on
July 07, 2008
And again he did it. A great album with songs for every mood. Every style and voice implication is there. A maturing Elvis & ditto voice. As it is not a soundtrack of a movie there is more of the special feeling of the experimental style of the studio.
busboy wrote on
July 07, 2008
Strange album for me, a couple of good up tempo songs, superb ballad in There's always me but some of the songs are really dreary and middle of the road. Not one of my favourites.
commoneverybody wrote on
July 07, 2008
One of my all-time favorite albums. I like it better than, yes believe me, Elvis Is Back. The ballads are superb, listen to his cristel clear voice in Theres Always Me and, my favorite, Starting Today. Simple but superb. Also the uptempo side with I´m Coming Home, Judy and I Want You With Me is an example of perfect early 1960´s pop music :-)
Dixieland Rock wrote on
July 09, 2008
I really like the underrated song "I Want You With Me". Elvis could have really rocked the stage in 1961 on another Sullivan appearance with this rocker instead having to "Ito Eats" on the silver screen. "Judy" is another underrated gem from this album. A great studio album.
JLpResLey wrote on
July 11, 2008
Yes, great album. I probably like Give me the right best, but There´s always me is also really good. Not as good as Elvis is back but close.