Elvis Presley – Heart of Rome

Elvis Presley’s “Heart of Rome” was recorded on January 21, 1963, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. It was written by Joy Byers and Fred Wise, and was released as a single on March 25, 1963. The song reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles chart.

Presley had heard the song while watching the Dean Martin Show, and he immediately liked it. He asked his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to get him the rights to the song, and Parker was able to secure them.

Presley recorded the song with his usual backing band, which included Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums. The song was produced by Felton Jarvis.

“Heart of Rome” is a ballad about a man who is singing to his lover in Rome. He tells her that she is the heart of the city and that he loves her more than anything in the world.

The song was a hit in the United States and around the world. It was particularly popular in Italy, where it reached number 1 on the charts.

“Heart of Rome” has been covered by many artists over the years, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tom Jones. It is still one of Presley’s most popular songs today.

Introduction to Elvis Presley’s “Heart of Rome”

Elvis Presley’s “Heart of Rome” is a beautiful ballad about love and passion. The song is set in the city of Rome, and Presley’s vocals are full of emotion as he sings about his love for the woman he is with.

The song begins with a simple guitar intro, and then Presley’s voice comes in, singing the first verse:

As the sun goes down behind the hills of Rome I hold you close and feel your heart beat And as the night begins to softly fall I whisper words of love to you

Presley’s voice is soft and gentle in the first verse, but it builds in intensity as the song progresses. He sings about how his love for the woman he is with is as passionate as the city of Rome itself.

My love for you is like the heart of Rome It’s ancient and it’s strong And like the city, it will never die

The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with Presley singing about how his love for the woman he is with is eternal.

My love for you is like the heart of Rome It’s ancient and it’s strong And like the city, it will never die

The song ends with a repeat of the chorus, and then Presley’s voice fades out.

“Heart of Rome” is a beautiful and timeless ballad about love and passion. It is one of Presley’s most popular songs for a reason, and it is sure to continue to be enjoyed by fans for many years to come.

In addition to the history and introduction above, here are some additional details about the song:

“Heart of Rome” was written in the style of a traditional Italian ballad.
The song was recorded during the same sessions as Presley’s hit single, “Return to Sender.”
“Heart of Rome” was released as a single on March 25, 1963.
The song reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles chart.
“Heart of Rome” was performed live by Presley during his 1963 engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.

“Heart of Rome” is a beautiful and classic ballad that is sure to please fans of Elvis Presley and Italian music alike.

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Lyrics

In a little while you’re leavin’
Starting on the journey home
Soon I’ll be alone, the one who loves you
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I’ll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you’ll return
Minutes I’ll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I’ll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I’m not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

Suddenly the tears are falling
As we hear the whistle blow
Hold me very close before you leave me
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I’ll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you’ll return
Minutes I’ll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I’ll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I’m not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

I’ll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you’ll return
Minutes I’ll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I’ll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I’m not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

BREAKING MOMENT: What happened at Alan Jackson’s concert last night is something no one there will ever forget. In the middle of a packed live show in Texas, a few scattered anti-American chants suddenly rose from the front rows. Tension rippled through the crowd. People expected anger. They expected confrontation. But Alan Jackson chose something else. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t walk off the stage. Instead, he tightened his grip on the microphone, paused… and gently began to sing “God Bless America.” At first, it was just one voice — calm, steady, full of quiet conviction. Then, almost instinctively, something powerful happened. Tens of thousands of people stood up. One by one, voices joined in until nearly 80,000 fans were singing together, their harmonies rolling through the night like a wave. American flags lifted into the air. Tears filled eyes. The chants disappeared, replaced by unity. In that moment, Alan Jackson didn’t argue. He didn’t divide. He reminded everyone listening that leadership doesn’t come from shouting louder — it comes from choosing grace, humility, and heart. It wasn’t just a song. It was a statement.

A Final Note in the Spotlight: Alan Jackson’s Goodbye Left an Arena in Tears. On the night of May 17, 2025, inside a packed arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, country music legend Alan Jackson stepped onto the stage one last time. It was the closing chapter of his farewell tour, “Last Call: One More for the Road,” and from the first note, the atmosphere felt heavier, quieter—like everyone knew they were about to lose something they loved. Wearing his trademark cowboy hat and armed only with that unmistakable, honest voice, Jackson delivered a set filled with songs that had soundtracked decades of lives. Classics like “Remember When,” “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” and “Chattahoochee” echoed through the crowd, each lyric met with standing ovations, tears, and thousands of voices singing along as one. Midway through the show, the music faded—and so did the distance between artist and audience. Jackson paused, looked out over the sea of fans, and spoke words that cut straight to the heart. This wasn’t just a goodbye, he said—it was a thank you. A thank you for more than 40 years of loyalty, memories, and love that gave his life and music meaning. In the front row, his wife Denise quietly wiped away tears, while longtime fans clutched old tour shirts and held onto every second, fully aware they were witnessing the end of an era. Despite living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neurological condition that has slowly taken its toll, Jackson never held back. Through visible pain and exhaustion, he gave everything he had left—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a final act of devotion from a man who built his career on truth, humility, and heart. When the closing notes of “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” filled the arena and confetti drifted down, the crowd broke. Tears flowed freely. Jackson smiled, waved, and walked offstage—leaving behind more than songs. He left a legacy, a lifetime of stories, and memories that will forever live in the hearts of millions who grew up with his voice guiding them home.

In February 1968, time itself seemed to hold its breath as a young father stepped out of a hospital, his arms wrapped around a newborn girl. For a brief, unforgettable instant, the legend disappeared. There were no flashing cameras, no screaming crowds—only a man quietly meeting the weight of love for the very first time. Those nearby later spoke of an eerie calm, as if the world instinctively knew it was witnessing something sacred. The usual noise faded. Conversations softened. He cradled his daughter with trembling care, gently rocking her, humming under his breath—not as a performer, but as a protector. Fame still followed him, but it no longer led the moment. What held everyone still was something far more powerful: the fragile, overwhelming gravity of fatherhood. Long after the memory of celebrity blurred, that image remained—a hallway, a newborn child, and a life forever changed by love rather than applause.

“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” the new documentary feature film from director Baz Luhrmann, made its U.S. debut on Jan. 8 at Graceland to almost 1,000 Elvis fans, about a dozen national journalists and more than 20 invited international “influencers.”