Introduction
Trying To Get To You: A Rock and Roll Journey
“Trying To Get To You” isn’t just an Elvis Presley song, it’s a mini-history of early rock and roll. Originally recorded by The Eagles, a Washington D.C. vocal group, in 1954, the song carries the raw energy of the genre’s beginnings. The Eagles’ version, titled “Tryin’ to Get to You” with an apostrophe, wasn’t a huge hit, but it landed in the hands of a young Elvis Presley at Sun Studio in Memphis.
In 1954 and 1955, Elvis recorded five versions of the song, each pulsating with his signature charisma. The July 11, 1955 session yielded the version most familiar to fans. Elvis’s powerful vocals and Scotty Moore’s driving guitar licks transformed “Trying To Get To You” into a rock and roll anthem. Released on his debut album, Elvis Presley, in 1956, the song became a cornerstone of his early sound.
“Trying To Get To You” is more than just a love song. It’s a relentless pursuit, a journey fueled by longing. Elvis’s lyrics paint a picture of devotion, traveling “night and day” and “running all the way” to reach his love. The song’s urgency and Presley’s dynamic performance captured the youthful rebellion simmering beneath the surface of 1950s America.
“Trying To Get To You” transcended its origins. Elvis revisited the song throughout his career, performing it live on numerous occasions. His electrifying 1968 Comeback Special rendition stands as a testament to the song’s enduring power. From The Eagles’ doo-wop roots to Elvis’s rock and roll revolution, “Trying To Get To You” remains a touchstone, a reminder of the electrifying energy that launched a musical phenomenon.