Music Review: Elvis Presley - Girls, Girls, Girls

Girls Girls Girls is not considered to be one of the better Elvis Presley films. It was universally panned at the time of its release. Yet Girls Girls Girls remains the only Elvis Presley film to be nominated for a major award. It was nominated for a best picture Golden Globe in the musical or comedy category for 1963. It lost to Music Man but at least one of Elvis’ films was so honored.

I consider Girls Girls Girls to be an average Elvis film. That means it was pleasant, inoffensive and goes well with a bucket of popcorn. Elvis was back in Hawaii trying to buy a boat so he could stay in business and of course was involved in a love triangle. He performed 14 musical numbers in this film.

The soundtrack album to Girls Girls Girls was released November 9, 1962 and reached number three on the national charts. It continued the success of Elvis’ soundtrack releases as it earned a gold record for sales.

“Return To Sender” was pulled from the album and released as a single. It rose to number two in the United States, selling over a million copies, and was a worldwide hit. This mid-tempo pop track remains one of Elvis’ signature songs. There were several other quality songs contained on this album. The title song “Girls Girls Girls” was a smooth up-tempo number that still makes most people smile. The rocking “I Don’t Wanna Be Tied” and "Thanks To The Rolling Sea” are both very listenable and stand on their own merits outside of the movie’s context.

The downside of Girls Girls Girls is that it is the first film to present a growing number of poorer quality songs. It is only because of Elvis’ voice that many of them are even acceptable. In this film, at least, he is able to rise above the lack of quality in much of the material. “The Walls Have Ears,” "We’re Comin’ In Loaded,” “We’ll Be Together” and others strain Elvis to the max to provide a credible performance. Songs of this nature would become all too common as the 1960’s progressed.

Article Author: David Bowling

I have been collecting vinyl records for over forty years and my collection is approaching 50.000 records. My wife Susan and children, Stacey and Amy, have learned to humor my passion. I am now settled in beautiful Whispering Pines, North Carolina …

Visit David Bowling's author page — David Bowling's Blog