A Lifetime of Writing Lyrics & Poems
I've been writing lyrics since 1968 — yes, since I was eight years old — and poetry has also always been a part of my life. Over the years, most of my writing has been inspired by real life: events in the world, moments with my family, feelings, hope, humor, and inspiration.
I love capturing what's happening around me, exploring emotions, and sharing perspectives that feel universal.
But every so often, I like to challenge myself. That's how Elvis Saved My Life came to be — an entirely fictional story told through lyrics.
"Elvis Saved My Life" Was My Creative Challenge
Written in the late 1990s or early 2000s (I forget the exact date), this song started as my own personal challenge: Could I tell a complete narrative using three iconic Elvis Presley songs as milestones in a couple's life?
The songs I chose — Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, and In the Ghetto — weren't just randomly picked. Each one marks a pivotal moment in the couple's journey, capturing emotions, growth, and perspective in a lyrical timeline.
The idea was to let these songs narrate life's key moments and, metaphorically, show how Elvis "saved" their lives.
The Journey Through Song
Each song in the story plays a unique role:
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Jailhouse Rock: Represents youthful innocence and the playful, awkward beginnings of love. It's a moment of humor and formative experience — that first awakening to relationships and desire.
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Love Me Tender: Captures the deepening of love and commitment. It marks a turning point where affection grows into something lasting, tender, and life-changing.
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In the Ghetto: Reflects perspective, gratitude, and understanding of life's bigger picture. It's a moment of recognition—seeing life's joys and trials and feeling thankful for what's been built.
Together, these songs become markers along a timeline, telling a story of love, growth, and the simple beauty of shared experiences.
Why This Song Matters to Me
Usually, my lyrics come from personal experience or observation, but this project was different. It pushed me to imagine a life, create characters, and weave together a story purely through words and lyrics.
It was a mental and emotional exercise—translating life into moments marked by song and finding meaning in the narrative of a couple's journey.
It reminded me that lyrics can be more than just words. They can be memory, reflection, and even a kind of salvation. That's the essence of this story: how life, love, and carefully chosen words can intersect to create something unforgettable.
A Personal Reflection
Looking back, Elvis Saved My Life isn't just a creative experiment — it's a celebration of storytelling through lyrics. It's about the moments that shape us, the songs that become the soundtrack of our lives, and the unexpected ways life nudges us toward growth, connection, and joy.
It's fun, it's heartfelt, and for me, it's a reminder that sometimes, fiction can tell truths as powerfully as reality ever could.
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50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.
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