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The Fair's Moving On

Rating:
4.1 / 5

Words & Music: Guy Fletcher Doug Flett

All the rides are over and done
It's late and no prizes are left to be won
The rides are closed, it's the end of the day
The horses are moving away
Yes the fair's moving on
And I'll soon be gone
Remember the love that we've known
Yes the fair's moving on
But I won't leave you long
It's the last time you'll be on your own

The music has ended, the carousel's still
The horses in boxes with the big Ferris wheel
The canvass and glitter are safely on board
The trailers will soon hit the road

Yes the fair's moving on
And I'll soon be gone
Remember the love that we had
Yes the fair's moving on
But I won't leave you long
I'm coming back so please don't be sad

At dawn I'll be gone but I'll soon return
Till then the fair's moving on
Till then the fair's moving on
Till then the fair's moving on
Till then the fair's moving on

Recordingdate: 1969/02/21, first released on: Back in Memphis (From Memphis to Vegas) (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of The Fair's Moving On:

(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(organ)

Others*

(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(cello)
(cello)
(viola)
(viola)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)

*Orchestra, overdubs

Availability

Find available albums with The Fair's Moving On.

dgirl wrote on August 01, 2009
The most borig song recorded at American in 1969. Not the worst however, that was Hey Jude. This just pales in comparison to the rest of the songs at those super sessions. Even the lyrics are corny and sound like something suggested by The Colonel, the old Carny.
Sparky wrote on August 24, 2009
I've always really liked this one. Great vocal and crisp production. Sounds even better on the recently upgraded From Elvis In Memphis release, especially in mono, which beats the previously available versions by miles.
JLpResLey wrote on August 24, 2009
I like this song a lot. The American sessions were just awesome, and this is a forgotten song. But it´s only natural, it´s not as good as some of the songs from this session. However, it´s miles better than some of the stuff he did in the mid sixties.
My boy, my boy wrote on August 24, 2009
Absolutely beautiful !...Too bad it ain't known at all.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on August 24, 2009
I too, like this song. The Memphis sessions produced some of his best work.
Steve V wrote on August 24, 2009
Its OK, not great. Pales in comparison to the other Memphis recordings, but yes, miles ahead of his mid-60's s soundtracks.
pasa-ryu wrote on August 24, 2009
I really love this song, its a big pity thier has never been an outtake or alternate version released of this great song so far? (officiall or otherwise. i own all the various import cd's and NONE of them have any alternate version of this song on any of them. (finding the way home/ the american way/ american crown jewles etc,etc.). i wonder if we will ever get a 'different' take or undubbed version of this very emtional song from elvis?? (maybe ftd/ rca might release it one day??)
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on August 24, 2009
Good song from a good LP. Personally I don't like out takes,but that's me !
bluesboy wrote on August 24, 2009
Maybe not a great song, but still a great performance.
marty wrote on August 24, 2009
Not a classic from Elvis but still a worthy addition to anyone’s music collection. Not all songs can have the quality of ‘Suspicious Minds’ and ‘In The Ghetto’! Elvis brings out the best in the song and gives a convincing performance.
Monster wrote on January 13, 2010
I've got to say I adore this song. There's just something about it when I hear it I end up singing it for weeks afterwards. From the same writers who gave us Wonderful World and that king among songs Just Pretend. And they were English too which I never knew.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on January 15, 2012
Love his singing on this song. Real good arrangement. Pretty much everything he recorded at American Studios in Memphis at this time, was great. So many gems ! RCA could have pulled more "hit singles" from the Memphis recordings but choose just a handful.
Deano1 wrote on January 15, 2012
Well sung, but subpar song from the Memphis Sessions of 1969. Really only "Hey Jude" and "I'm Movin' On" are worse than this one from those fantastic sessions. I much prefer the A side of the single "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" (not recorded at the MS) to this one. Still it is not a bad overall track and I would give it three stars.
old shep wrote on January 15, 2012
Elvis voice really suits this ballad.Admitted it wasn't the most memorable record from this great session but far better than the soundtrack stuff.
sugartummy wrote on May 18, 2013
Elvis' voice was very special in 1969 (different to other years I mean). That voice suits this song like a T. Because off that, this mediocre song is turned into a gem.
ElvisSacramento wrote on June 17, 2013
This is such a marvelous, overlooked and underrated song and Elvis' rendition of it was fabulous. I've never skipped this gem. I love every song from the "Back in Memphis" album.
Gorse wrote on June 17, 2013
A mediocre song that is rescued from oblivion by a marvellous vocal performance from the King. One of the weaker songs from these sessions and not on any of my playlists but still passable.
kink56 wrote on June 17, 2013
Great song from a great album. I always thought it should have been in the Trouble With Girls soundtrack.
trudygillenwater wrote on March 04, 2015
I love it! Elvis at his best!
rai wrote on March 05, 2015
One of my favourite '69 numbers. A true classic in my opinion though not played often. Very nice lyric.
bajo wrote on November 28, 2015
When I first heard this, on the B side of Clean Up Your Own Back Yard, I thought it was a movie song. It was a strange kind of song, but great vocal. It has grown over the years. I like it so much more today than I once did! As someone else mentioned, it's such a great vocal performance from Elvis!
TheMemphisFan wrote on November 28, 2015
Trivia fact ~ The song title was officially released as "The Fair Is Moving On" on the mono single issued in 1969. It was later shortened and listed as "The Fair's Moving On" on the stereo album version later in '69.
elviskid80 wrote on November 28, 2015
I Love This Song. As Well As All The Songs From The Memphis Sessions . Except For I'll Hold You In My Heart. That Song Was Just Plain Awful.
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