Introduction:
“Tomorrow Never Comes” is a poignant song beautifully interpreted by the legendary Elvis Presley. While the song was originally written by Johnny Bond and Ernest Tubb, Elvis’s recording is a well-regarded version within his extensive catalog. Elvis recorded his rendition on June 7, 1970, as part of recording sessions at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley’s version of “Tomorrow Never Comes” was released in 1971. It was a track on his critically acclaimed album “Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old)”. This album marked a significant period in Elvis’s career where he explicitly embraced and paid tribute to the country music genre, which had always been a foundational influence on his style. The album showcased his versatility and deep connection to his musical roots.
The genre of “Tomorrow Never Comes” in Elvis’s rendition is firmly rooted in Country music, with elements of Pop balladry. While Elvis was the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, this song highlights his mastery of other genres, delivering a tender and emotive vocal performance characteristic of countrypolitan sounds popular at the time. The instrumentation on the track, featuring prominent steel guitar and piano alongside a lush arrangement, further underscores its country leanings.
While “Tomorrow Never Comes” was not released as a commercial single and therefore did not have individual chart performance in the traditional sense, its inclusion on the successful “Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old)” album contributed to the record’s overall achievements. The album itself was a commercial success, reaching number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and peaking at number six in the United Kingdom. It also achieved international sales of over a million copies, earning a Gold certification from the RIAA in December 1977. As an album track, “Tomorrow Never Comes” was an integral part of this successful project, contributing to its critical reception and commercial performance by showcasing Elvis’s heartfelt delivery and the high quality of the album’s production. Though it may not have the individual accolades of his hit singles, “Tomorrow Never Comes” is appreciated by fans for its emotional depth and for being a key component of a significant album in Elvis Presley’s diverse musical legacy.