Artist: American Quartet
Author: William Fosdick/George Poulton
Label: Victor
Year: 1913
Originally a Civil War era folk ballad (1861). Sometimes referred to as Aura Lea. In 1865 it was adopted as class song by West Point graduates as Army Blue. Was also used in James Dean film East Of Eden ('54), again pre Elvis.
Covers:
Frances Farmer [as Aura Lea in Howard Hawks/William Wyler film Come And Get It]
Shelton Brothers & The Sunshine Boys [as Aura Lee; Bob & Joe Shelton also cut Just Because (see there), also picked up by Elvis]
Elvis Presley [as Love Me Tender N°1 US; new lyrics by Vera Matson; Elvis was co-credited for picking this song from a selection made by Vera's husband Ken Darby]
Jérolas [as L'amour et moi; band from Quebec]
Serge Singer [as l'Amour qui m'enchaîne à toi]
Frank Sinatra [in duet with Elvis]
Duane Eddy [as Love Me Tender]
Julie Andrews [idem]
Richard Chamberlain [idem]
Pat Boone [idem]
Platters [idem]
Chuck Jackson [idem]
Johnny Hallyday [as Amour d'été; n°1 Fr]
Will Tura [as Hou Van Mij Met Heel Je Hart]
Cumberland Three [feat. John Stewart; on a concept cd with Civil War songs]
John Hartford [as Aura Lea on Song Of The Civil War]
Amy Grant [in film Honeymoon In Vegas]
Ronnie van Bemmel [as Tranen Door De Wind Gedroogd]
Jan Rot [as Geef Me Liefde]
Andrea Bocelli [as Love Me Tender]
Petula Clark [idem]
Elvis sang it in his first film, originally titled The Reno Brothers, but following his hit recording, Love Me Tender became the obvious new title. The film action is set against a Civil War background.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)