About the song
Few performances in **Elvis Presley’s** vast catalogue are as unexpectedly profound as his rendition of **Bridge Over Troubled Water**. Originally written and recorded by **Paul Simon** and **Art Garfunkel**, this modern hymn of solace and quiet strength was already a masterpiece when it first emerged in 1970. But when **Elvis** took the song into his own hands—first on stage and then in the studio—he transformed it into something deeply personal, almost spiritual. The result is one of the most stirring performances of his later career, and a testament to his often-overlooked ability to interpret contemporary material with great emotional insight.
**ELVIS – Bridge Over Troubled Water** may not be the first song that comes to mind when one thinks of The King. Known more for rock ‘n’ roll swagger and Southern soul, **Elvis Presley** was not typically associated with the reflective, gospel-tinged folk of Simon & Garfunkel. But the themes of the song—compassion, loyalty, inner strength—resonated deeply with him, as did its soaring musical architecture. Backed by lush orchestration and gospel harmonies, **Elvis** turns in a vocal performance that is restrained yet powerful, vulnerable yet uplifting.
He first performed the song live during his Las Vegas residency in 1970, mere months after it topped the charts for Simon & Garfunkel. What’s remarkable is how seamlessly he makes the song his own, reshaping it into a slow-building anthem that showcases his affinity for gospel and drama. His studio version, released in 1971 on the album *That’s the Way It Is*, further cements the song as a vehicle for spiritual expression. You can hear in his voice not just technical prowess, but a sincere emotional investment. There’s a sense of reaching—perhaps for salvation, perhaps for peace—that elevates the song beyond mere interpretation.
In **ELVIS – Bridge Over Troubled Water**, we are given a glimpse of a more reflective Presley—one grappling with life’s heaviness, yet still clinging to the redemptive power of song. It is a moving chapter in the story of an artist who, even at his most fragile, could still deliver moments of transcendent beauty.
Video
Lyrics
One, two
One, two, three, four
We’ve got to patch it up baby
Before we fall apart at the seams
We’ve got to patch it up baby
We can’t let time unravel our dreams
Let’s go back and touch the past
One more night is all I ask
Get that feeling, that old feeling, feelin-eelin’
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
We got to patch it up baby
Let’s sweep out all the cobwebs in our hearts
We’ve got to patch it up baby
Before indifference pulls us apart
Don’t let a good love die
Let’s give it just one more try
With that feeling, that old feeling, feelin-eelin’
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
We can patch it up baby
Patch it up with a whole lotta love
With a whole lotta love
