Introduction:
In a career marked by electrifying performances, chart-topping hits, and genre-bending innovation, Elvis Presley’s 1970 ballad, Patch It Up, stands out as a poignant plea for reconciliation. Released as a double A-side single alongside “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” Patch It Up showcases a mature Presley, one moving beyond the energetic rock and roll of his early years.
Patch It Up is a country-tinged ballad, a genre Presley revisited throughout his career. The song’s gentle sway and melancholic tone are a far cry from the driving rhythms and suggestive lyrics that made him famous in the 1950s. However, Presley’s powerful vocals remain, lending sincerity and depth to the song’s message of mending a troubled relationship.
The authorship of Patch It Up is credited to songwriting duo Eddie Rabbitt and Rory Bourke. While Presley wasn’t directly involved in writing the song, his delivery infuses it with a vulnerability and emotional resonance that resonates with listeners. Presley is credited as the performer alongside producer Felton Jarvis, a longtime collaborator who played a significant role in shaping Presley’s sound during the 1960s and 1970s.
Patch It Up wasn’t a commercial smash hit on the level of Presley’s earlier releases. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 as part of the double A-side with “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” but it failed to crack the Top 40 on its own. Despite this, Patch It Up has become a favorite among Presley’s dedicated fanbase. It endured as a concert staple during Presley’s latter years, a testament to the song’s enduring appeal and Presley’s own belief in its message.
Patch It Up represents a significant moment in Presley’s evolution as an artist. It showcases his willingness to explore themes of love, loss, and reconciliation, a departure from the rebellious persona of his early rock and roll days. The song remains a powerful testament to Presley’s vocal prowess and his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.
Video:
Lyrics:
One, twoOne, two, three, four
We’ve got to patch it up babyBefore we fall apart at the seamsWe’ve got to patch it up babyWe can’t let time unravel our dreams
Let’s go back and touch the pastOne more night is all I askGet that feeling, that old feeling, feelin-eelin’
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
We got to patch it up babyLet’s sweep out all the cobwebs in our heartsWe’ve got to patch it up babyBefore indifference pulls us apart
Don’t let a good love dieLet’s give it just one more tryWith that feeling, that old feeling, feelin-eelin’
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyWe can patch it up babyPatch it up with a whole lotta love
With a whole lotta love