Words & Music:
Bill Giant
Bernie Baum
Florence Kaye
There's a legend of a famous matador
Who went to meet El Toro
Though he fought as he had never done before
He could not beat, El Toro
The bull El Toro, brought him defeat and pain
And to his sorrow, the matador knew shame
They said time would never heal the many scars
Brought by the great, El Toro
And the bitterness that burned deep in his heart
Caused him to hate, El Toro
The bull El Toro, brought him defeat and pain
And to his sorrow, the matador knew shame
So one night, when no-one was on sight
The matador, went to finish the score
In the lonely fields, beneath the pale moonlight
He fought the bull...and they fought once more
When they found the matador and saw him dying
He'd never see tomorrow
Now they say that on the spot where he was lying
Still walks the proud El Toro
The bull El Toro, brought him defeat and pain
And to his sorrow, the matador knew shame....
Recordingdate: 1963/01/23, first released on: Fun in Acapulco (album)
Musicians
Musicians who contributed to the first recording of El Toro:
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(mandolin)
(bass)
(drums)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(percussion)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
Availability
Find available albums with El Toro.
Wel sung, lyrics aren't to bad...
Never one of my favorite tracks from the movie and soundtrack LP "Fun In Acapulco", but Elvis' voice again lifts this one above mediocre. 2 1/2 stars, maybe 3 stars. Elvis singing about a bull is a little odd, but somehow it works.
Great vocal on a very nothing song.
Though the lyrics are not too outstanding, it is funny. One could even use the lyrics as an interesting metaphore. Yet, as most lyrics become a habitual text in one's head, after a few times it is more about the performance. And in that respect this song displays ELVIS' great voice.
Film song only. "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" & "Bossa Nova baby" were alot better. The Beatles watched this film...wonder what they thought of it ?
The song fit well in the movie, and Elvis sings it nicely, but its a very average song. I wish all the songs, were on the same level as "Bossa Nova Baby" and "I think I'm gonna like it here" and "Mexico". Thinking back, to the movie "Tickle Me" which was, a few years later, I like the fact, that, Elvis was performing better songs from his back catalog of songs, and you were seeing the songs, in a movie, like a music video ! And of note, we all know why, this was done, because the budget was tight, and the movie company couldn't afford, Elvis, to record new songs for the movie.
I think the Fun In Acapulco soundtrack was a cut above many others and this song fits in to the whole production perfectly. Taken as a stand alone track however, it loses some of its lustre, and thats how I rate it here, so 4 stars when reviewed as part of the album but only 3 stars as a stand alone.
Elvis really sings it well. His voice is so much better then the song. As usual.
I like the movie & soundtrack. This song is a good movie song, but not a pop song. 1963 / 64 was crying out for a really good studio album. Sad thing was that the materal was more or less available. Check out Elvis for the Asking.
Love the song. Great vocal. Love the soundtrack.
I've always enjoyed this unique and fun Elvis movie song immensely and Elvis' rendition of it was sensational. I've never skipped it. I enjoy the entire "Fun in Acapulco" soundtrack immensely too.
Great performance! Elvis always had a love for Latin music and so do I.