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The Bullfighter Was a Lady

Rating:
2.9 / 5

Words & Music: Sid Tepper Roy C. Bennett

Pedro the bull was a killer
King of the bullfighter ringer
He'd wipe up the floor with each brave matador
And have matador stew for his dinner

He heard the crowd shouting "Olé"
But he met his master that day

The bullfighter was a lady
And it was true love at first sight
Her red cape was waving but Pedro was shaking (or shaving?)
He wanted to date her that night

Olé

Pedro the bull he was smitten
First time the love bug had bitten
He once was a mad bull, a wild and a bad bull
But now he was mild as a kitten

The people were starting to hiss
But Pedro just wanted to kiss

The bullfighter was a lady
And Pedro he liked what he saw
He floated on air with a rose in his hair
As he waltzed with that sweet matador

His fate was a bad one, his tale is a sad one
It's hanging right over her door

Olé!

Recordingdate: 1963/01/22, first released on: Fun in Acapulco (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of The Bullfighter Was a Lady:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(mandolin)
(bass)
(drums)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(percussion)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)

Availability

Find available albums with The Bullfighter Was a Lady.

Deano1 wrote on March 12, 2010
The worst track on the "Fun In Acapulco" LP, made palatable by Elvis' vocal. It works well in the movie, but is harder to take on the LP. 2 stars, maybe 2 1/2.
Steve Morse wrote on June 02, 2010
A charming song, beautifully sung. I believe Elvis is quoted as having said he liked Latin American music and on this album he proved he could perform it as well. Definitely a 'feather in his cap' as far as his vocal versatility is concerned. This, from the boy who sang "You're A Heartbreaker" and "Baby I Don't Care" as two examples of songs a million miles away from the Fun In Acapulco soundtrack
dgirl wrote on June 02, 2010
Elvis perhaps at his vocal peak in 1963, recording trash like this. What a waste of talent. Even as a movie song, its weak with silly lyrics. Another winner from Tepper/Bennett who weren't quite Lennon/McCartney.
JerryNodak wrote on June 02, 2010
Certainly not a great song, but made more than listenable by a wonderful vocal from Elvis. Worst song on the soundtrack? That "honor" goes to 'No Room To Rumba In a Sports Car' (IMO). A solid soundtrack album.
Steve V wrote on June 02, 2010
The 2nd worst song on the LP, the 1st being Rumba! The rest of the album is ok as far as soundtracks go due to Elvis being in such great voice, but by no means a great album. The only great soundtrack album is King Creole and now thanks to Sont/BMG Viva Las Vegas.
shoesuedeblues wrote on June 02, 2010
I didn't mind the song so much in the film as it worked in well and of course Elvis' voice was excellent. Not the sort of song that I would ad to my play list though.
old shep wrote on June 02, 2010
The song sounded good in the film and on the soundtrack because Elvis could pull something out of the bag even with the most banal numbers.
derekd wrote on November 04, 2010
Not a lot wrong with this movie song or the Lp. The only mistake was too many to quick [movies that is]. One movie musical each year taking 3 to 4 months to produce and the same time making / recording good pop songs for a couple of singles & a good pop Lp at the time i believe was what was needed. Ah, you may say, hindsite is a wonderful thing, but I remember writing to 'Elvis monthly' in 1965 and stating this. By '67 i'd almost given up and for the 1st time in years missed out on buying Elvis singles & Lps. Thank goodness for '68. Good singles with LP's to follow.
Deano1 wrote on November 04, 2010
Lyric correction...I believe the 2nd line of the song is "king of the bullfight arena"...Also, it is "Pedro was shaving" (not shaking). The incredibly bad lyrics are the reason I pick this song as the worst song. At least "Rhumba" started of with a bad title; but got a little better. This one had a bad title and went straight down hill. Only Elvis' warm, rich voice make this one palatable.
Gorse wrote on January 15, 2013
Excellent song in the confines of the film but loses a bit when transferred to vinyl. His singing in this film was top notch and rescues this song from being ordinary.
cookingfat wrote on April 28, 2013
Works in the film and if you play the song having seen the film. Otherwise I don't think it would be on many fans play lists.
ElvisSacramento wrote on April 29, 2013
This is such a silly song, but enjoyable and unique. But, it works better in the movie than it does on album. It's easily one of Elvis' very worst songs even though I've always found it to be enjoyable. I rate this song 3 Stars.
sugartummy wrote on May 18, 2013
I love the trumpet intro. Sounds like a Clint Eastwood 60's western. From the first awful Olé it's downhill with the song. But boy, does Elvis sing it beautifully or what?!
Cruiser621 wrote on September 16, 2013
Absolutely lame as far as songs go but it is catchy as you can't seem to get it out of your mind once heard. Not one of my favorite soundtrack albums to be honest.
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