About the song
When speaking about the great interpreters of American music, **Elvis Presley** inevitably commands a central place in the conversation. Among the vast tapestry of songs he recorded, **Elvis Presley – Funny How Time Slips Away** stands as a particularly poignant gem. Originally penned by the legendary Willie Nelson, this song had already found life in various versions before Elvis gave it his unmistakable touch. Yet when Presley wrapped his rich, velvety voice around these wistful lyrics, he transformed it into something deeply personal—a quiet reflection on time, regret, and the tender bruises of love lost.
Recorded in 1971 during his **Nashville Marathon Sessions**, **Funny How Time Slips Away** captures Elvis at a crossroads in both his career and his life. No longer the young rebel who set the world ablaze in the 1950s, Elvis was now a mature artist, steeped in the complexities of fame, longing, and nostalgia. You can hear all of that in his delivery: the slowed phrasing, the slight catch in his voice, the way he lets the words linger, as if reluctant to let go of the memories they conjure.
The beauty of **Elvis Presley – Funny How Time Slips Away** lies not just in the song’s haunting melody or its bittersweet lyrics, but in how effortlessly Elvis inhabits it. He doesn’t over-sing or dramatize; instead, he trusts the power of simplicity. His performance feels lived-in, intimate—as if he’s having a quiet conversation with an old flame he never quite got over. The backing arrangement, with its subtle guitar work and gentle percussion, leaves plenty of space for Elvis’s voice to soar, making the emotions all the more palpable.
In a career marked by an extraordinary range of styles—from rock and roll to gospel, from blues to ballads—this song highlights Elvis’s often-underappreciated skill as a storyteller. **Elvis Presley – Funny How Time Slips Away** is not just a cover; it is a testament to the King’s ability to connect with listeners on a profoundly human level, reminding us all that no matter how larger-than-life he seemed, he too understood the quiet sorrow of time slipping away.
Video
Lyrics
Well, hello there
My, it’s been a long, long time
How am I doin’?
Oh, well, I guess I’m doin’ fine
It’s been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Mmm, ain’t it funny how time slips away?
How’s your new love?
I hope that he’s doin’ fine
Heard you told him, yes, baby
That you’d love him till the end of time
Well, you know, that’s the same thing
That you told me
Well, it seems like just the other day
Mmm, ain’t it funny how time slips away
Yeah, baby
Yeah
I gotta go now
Guess I’ll see you hanging round
Don’t know when though, oh, no
Never know when I’ll be back in town
But I remember what I told you
That in time you’re gonna pay
Well ain’t it surprisin’ how time slips away?
Yeah, ain’t it surprisin’ how time slips away?
