The song "One Night" by Elvis Presley is one of his biggest hits, first released in 1958. Originally titled "One Night (Of Sin)," the song had quite provocative lyrics, but Elvis altered the lyrics to make it more palatable to a broader audience.

Context of Creation

• Original Version "One Night (Of Sin)": The song was originally written by Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, and Anita Steinman. The original version was recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1956, and its lyrics described a night of passionate love.
• Elvis's Modification: Elvis Presley loved the tune but decided to change the lyrics to make the song less suggestive, transforming it into a more profound love song, simplifying the title to just "One Night."

Meaning of Lyrics by Section

Verse 1

• Lyrics: Expresses a deep longing that is more than just physical. It's not about a night of sin but about the deep love and yearning the singer feels for their loved one.
• Meaning: It conveys intense love and the desire to be with the loved one, not just for one night but deeply and meaningfully.

• Elvis Presley - One Night ('68 Comeback Special)

Verse 2

• Lyrics: Recalls the feeling of being with the loved one, the memories and intense emotions they shared together.
• Meaning: Reflects the joy and happiness that love brings, as well as the desire to hold onto and protect those memories.

Verse 3

• Lyrics: Describes the longing and pride in the relationship. The lyrics talk about overcoming all obstacles to be together.
• Meaning: Strongly emphasizes the will and determination of love in facing and overcoming challenges.

Elvis Presley's "One Night" is not just a powerful love ballad about love and longing but also reflects Elvis's transformation in expressing his art to be more acceptable to his audience. The shift from "One Night (Of Sin)" to "One Night" also mirrors the cultural and societal changes at the time, as Elvis and rock 'n' roll were becoming widely popular.