.....ELVIS Song in the SPOTLIGHT.....



Elvis Version
Elvis Presley released it as a single on April 20, 1970.

Its b-side song was "Mama Liked the Roses."

In the U.S., both songs charted at #9 together in the spring of 1970.

"The Wonder of You" was one of his most successful records in the UK ever, topping the UK Singles Chart for six weeks in the summer of that year.

This was the 59th Top 40 hit of his career. "The Wonder of You" was one of about thirty five songs he would play live in concert, never recording it in a studio.

The song went all the way to #1 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart for Presley.

It was the first of three singles during his lifetime that were recorded live in concert in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 1970.

Funnily enough....it's not among my Elvis favourites. I like it...but do feel that other songs around the time deserved better....if you get what i mean. It's certainly become an elvis classic though...and one of the most heard Elvis songs of all time on Radio stations...

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE "Wonder of You"
...in Vegas hearing it live....it always seemed ELVIS was singing from the heart FOR THE FANS.
That is the impression and feeling I got and why I love the song so much.

Thanks REX.

In 1959, Ray Peterson released it as a single.
The song became a Top 40 hit for him on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #25.

That same year it was recorded by Ronnie Hilton in the United Kingdom, his version reaching #22 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Ray Peterson record briefly re-entered the Hot 100 in 1964.

In the early 1960s, the Platters also recorded this song, which appeared on a 1970s compilation "The Platters--30 Golden Hits."

In 1969, The Sandpipers recorded an album of the same name including the song.

An album of instrumentals of the same name by Nelson Riddle was also released in 2000.

In 1959 Knight wrote "The Wonder Of You" as a gentle ballad with Perry Como in mind.

But Como's arranger, Dick Pierce, played it to Ray Peterson, who recorded it instead.

It was a US hit and several versions vied for UK chart placings - Ronnie Hilton (No 22), Ray Peterson (23) and Ronnie Carroll.

'Elvis really liked The Wonder Of You, Knight explains. '

In fact, Presley liked Ray Peterson's version so much that he asked Ray to visit a movie set and meet with him.

Elvis took Ray out to lunch, almost asking permission to cut the number'. Elvis did not record the song then. But he never forgot it, either.

A decade later, Knight got a call that sent him into the clouds. 'I had just gotten a divorce, was living in an apartment in Ventura. I was always a night person and slept during the day.

Anyway, the phone rang 7:30 in the morning. I couldn't imagine who would be calling me at that time. On the line was one of the folks in Elvis's band, Glen Hardin.

He asked me if I could give him the words to 'The Wonder Of You'. Elvis needed them because he had decided to sing the song on stage that very night'.

The lyrics were quickly transcribed over the phone and rushed back to Elvis.

The singer spent the day learning them.

That evening, in front of a sold-out crowd at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Elvis sang The wonder Of You for the very first time.

For Baker Knight, hundreds of miles away in Ventura, this February 18, 1970, was one of the most wonderful evenings of his life.

The biggest name in the business had just cut his song

(first performance was the February 18 Midnight Show. First released recording was from the February 19 February Dinner Show).

Whether Knight didn't remember the exact words to his song, or Glen Hardin didn't hear them right or Elvis himself messed them up is hard to tell.

Anyway, Elvis's version deviates some from the wording in the sheet music.

He changes some words and leaves out an entire verse (the third).

Well, even Peterson's version wasn't word perfect. He leaves out the first half of the third verse - still according to the sheet music.

So here follow the original lyrics:

The Wonder Of You

When no-one else can understand me,
When ev'rything I do is wrong,
You give me love and consolation.
You give me hope to carry on,
And you try to show your love for me
In ev'rything you do.
That's the wonder,
The wonder of you.

And when you smile, the world is brighter.
You touch my hand and I'm a king.
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune.
Your love to me is ev'rything,
And you're always to lend a hand
In all I try to do.
That's the wonder,
The wonder of you.

You'll never know how much I love you.
My love is yours and yours alone,
And it's so wonderful to have you,
To have you for my very own.
Guess I'll never know the reason why
You love me as you do.
That's the wonder,
The wonder of you.

Elvis, who insisted in releasing it as his next single, recorded The Wonder Of You at the International Hotel in Las Vegas on February 18, 1970. D.S.

The record sold over two million copies and has a 12-week stay on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, reaching a high of #9.

On the country chart it peaked at #37.

The Wonder Of You was number one for six weeks in England. It was Elvis's first 'live' single release.

First single release (b/w Mama Liked The Roses): May 1970

First LP release: On Stage - February 1970, June 1970

Love these threads Rex. Full of info and pics.

As for the song. I like it and play it often. Weird that the master was "lost" or at least misplaced for the 30 N01 Hits CD .

I like it, other than the fact that Arsenal use it that is

Ahhhh the football factor.. and this song THE WONDER OF YOU.... strange but I did save some details about that... (just wasn't sure I would use them)
but since you bring it up Shaun........

Popularity in Football

The song has been adopted by English Football team Port Vale who run out to the song at the start of their home matches,

the supporters also periodically chant altered lyrics to the song.[1]

The song is also sung by the club's fans throughout their matches.

Arsenal have also recently adopted the song as their club anthem and is played at the beginning of every home match.

Didn't know Port Vale used it Rex. Thanks for that info

i think this song has to be in my top 40 of elvis songs i like listenign to Elvis sing this with my eyes closed tryign to imagine how he felt when singing it great reading your work as always Rex

More excellent posting Rex...cool

THE WONDER OF YOU...best sounding live FTD to date!.

Song ain"t bad either!.

FABULOUS pictures and information, Rex. The thread is a joy to go through. Thank you!

Beautiful song...and elvis sung it with such passion..thats what i loved about his voice and the songs he sang, he loved to sing!
Thanks for the fab pics and info rex

elvislady

SHAUN, BATMAN, CHRIS, KEV, CAROLE and Elvis Lady..

many thanks...

an Elvis Special 1970s song with a meaning to so many people.....

end...

Some of the best pictures of ELVIS I have EVER seen are in these screen grabs.
Thank you for all your hard work making these pictures available to us Rex.

Thanks rex...i agree with carole... fantastic !

elvislady

According to the site of Keith Flynn the single version / On stage version were recorded on 18-02-70 dinner show. For years it was believed that the recording originates form the midnight show from that day.


colonel snow

One of my very favourite ballads sung by Elvis.. Kinda reminds me of another favourite "Let it be Me".