Introduction:
“Lonely Man” is a poignant ballad recorded by the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley, that captures a sense of yearning and solitude, themes often explored in his extensive catalog. The song was recorded during a prolific period for Presley, as he balanced his music career with his burgeoning Hollywood film endeavors. Written by Bennie Benjamin and Sol Marcus, “Lonely Man” showcases Presley’s emotive vocal delivery, capable of conveying deep feeling with a subtlety that often contrasted with his more up-tempo, rock and roll hits.
The song was officially released as a single on February 27, 1961. It was notably the B-side to the chart-topping hit “Surrender.” While “Surrender” soared to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Lonely Man” also made its own mark, reaching a respectable number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. This demonstrated Presley’s immense popularity, where even his B-sides garnered significant attention and airplay. The single featuring both “Surrender” and “Lonely Man” achieved considerable success, eventually being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Furthermore, both tracks independently achieved top 3 status in Hong Kong, indicating Presley’s global appeal.
In terms of genre, “Lonely Man” is best described as a pop ballad, infused with the characteristic crossover appeal that defined much of Elvis Presley’s music, touching upon elements of traditional pop and country. The song was initially recorded in November 1960 with the intention of being included in Presley’s 1961 film, “Wild in the Country.” Interestingly, an excerpt of Elvis performing the song was even featured in the original movie trailer when the film was tentatively titled “Lonely Man.” However, the song was ultimately cut from the final version of the movie before its release, and the film’s title was changed.
Despite not being featured in the film as originally planned, “Lonely Man” did find its place on a significant Presley compilation. It was later included on the 1968 album “Elvis’ Gold Records Volume 4.” This inclusion solidified its status as a notable track in Presley’s discography, ensuring its continued availability to fans long after its initial single release. The song remains a testament to Elvis’s versatility as a performer, capable of delivering heartbreaking ballads with the same conviction as his rock anthems.