Music Review: Elvis Presley – Something For Everybody

Something For Everybody is one of those Elvis Presley albums that just glides under the radar. It was a solid, if not spectacular release. The priorities at this time were films and their accompanying soundtracks, plus his single releases which would receive massive airplay and sell millions of copies. The original release of Something For Everybody would contain no memorable or classic songs, yet would still reach number one on the charts.

As with many of Elvis’ early album releases, the hit singles of the day were not included as they had a life of their own. This makes the modern CD releases of albums such as this one all the more stronger with their inclusion. Elvis was recording some brilliant non-soundtrack material in the early 1960’s. “His Latest Flame,” “Little Sister,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Surrender” remain essential to the Elvis catalogue and to music of this time period. All these songs are added to the CD release which serve to make it truly outstanding.

The original release of Something For Everybody contained a ballad side and an up-tempo side. Personally, I prefer a mixture of the two as the first side drags a little. The original intent may have been to create a romantic atmosphere on side one and it is up to each listener to decide if that was accomplished.

There are two outstanding ballads on the A side of the original LP release. “There’s Always Me” is a challenging vocal for Elvis with a lot of pitch changes. Elvis proves just what a wonderful vocalist he had become as he handles this difficult song with ease. “Gently” is one of the great lost Elvis Presley songs. His smooth vocal just flows along and lulls the listener into a journey of relaxed mood and sound.

The fast side, as it was called, is the better to me. When the album was released the ballad side was aimed at his female fans and the B side more toward his male fan base. “I Want You With Me” and “I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell” are excellent moderate rockers. “In Your Arms,” “Put The Blame On Me,” and “Judy” are all straight pop songs that Elvis had been producing for the past year and there is nothing wrong with any of them.

The average or even advanced Elvis fan probably could not name many songs from the original album. Yet playing it almost forty years later is a pleasurable listening experience that just slides by the senses.