Rediscovering the Magic: Analyzing Elvis Presley’s “I Got a Woman”

Elvis Presley, often hailed as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, left an indelible mark on the music industry with his charismatic persona, distinctive voice, and groundbreaking performances. Among his many iconic songs, “I Got a Woman” stands out as a pivotal track that exemplifies Presley’s unique blend of rock, rhythm, and blues. Released in 1956 as part of his self-titled debut album, the song not only showcased Presley’s vocal prowess but also hinted at the direction in which popular music was headed.

At its core, “I Got a Woman” is a reimagining of the gospel standard “I’ve Got a Savior (Way Over Jordan),” originally recorded by the Southern Tones in 1954. Presley’s version, however, deviates significantly from its gospel roots, infusing the song with elements of rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and a healthy dose of his trademark swagger. The result is a dynamic and electrifying composition that captivated audiences and helped propel Presley to superstardom.

Did you know

1. “I Got a Woman” was originally a gospel song titled “I’ve Got a Savior (Way Over Jordan),” recorded by the Southern Tones in 1954. Elvis Presley transformed it into a rock and roll hit, infusing it with his signature style and energy.
2. The song was recorded in a single take during Presley’s legendary Sun Studio sessions in Memphis, Tennessee. This spontaneous recording captured the raw essence of Presley’s talent and helped propel him to fame.
3. “I Got a Woman” was one of the first songs Elvis performed live on national television, during his historic appearances on shows like “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Milton Berle Show.” These performances introduced him to a wider audience and solidified his status as a rock ‘n’ roll icon.

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Lyrics

Well, I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah
She’s my baby
She’s a kind of friend
Ah, loving me

Say I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

She’s there to love me both day and night
No groans or fusses, treats me right
Never running in the street
Leaving me alone
She knows a woman’s place is around home at night

I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

Well, she’s my baby
And I’m her loving man

Well, I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me

I’ve got a woman (take her home)
Way cross town
She’s good to me, oh

“It’ll be good if someone yell that at me”
“Take her home son”
“He will, don’t worry you’ll be sick of him”
“Ha ha”
“Can you, can you pass that guitar?”
“Ha ha ha ha”
“Beautiful”
We once come right up in NBC thinking about boom boom boom
We was classic I remember he was “uh huh huh”
“Ha ha ha”
Til the end of the show man
Haha
Hey is that Smith
Dinosaur
Dinosaur