This was the song which opened Elvis’ 1972 album “Elvis Now” and is one of those recordings which just has that feel that it has been over produced. As a result it, it is one of those few instances where an Elvis master doesn’t quite manage to eclipse the original, by the song’s composer Kris Kristofferson. That being said, a listen to the undubbed master, especially on the wonderful sounding 2022 release “Back In Nashville” is something of a revelation. This undubbed version is certainly at least a match for Kristofferson’s original.
Elvis had recorded the song at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville on 17 May 1971 and the master was a splice of takes 11 and 16. Spliced takes was something that Elvis disliked preferring his masters to be complete takes although it must be pointed out that the splice is only the ending. The recording date, three months after Elvis had first performed the song live, makes this only one of three songs which Elvis performed live before recording it in the studio with the others being 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and 'My Boy'.
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!