Words & Music:
Hugh Williams
Jimmy Kennedy
I saw the harbor lights
They only told me we were parting
Those same old harbor lights
That once brought you to me.
I watched the harbor lights
How could I help it?
Tears were starting.
Good-bye to golden nights
Beside the silvery seas.
I long to hold you dear,
And kiss you just once more.
But you were on the ship,
And I was on the shore.
Now I know lonely nights
For all the while my heart keeps praying
That someday harbor lights
Will bring you back to me.
Recordingdate: 1954/07, first released on: A Legendary Performer, Volume 2 (album)
Musicians
Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Harbor Lights:
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The only really boring track from the Sun years, but still so much better than most of what he was doing in the movies.
The kind of MOR song that was particularly popular in the early 50s and which Elvis must have heard a dozen versions of. This track and the awful Blue Moon were clearly recorded before Elvis had been fortunate enough to deliver songs in a style unknown and of his own making.
It's from the Sun-period and therefor part of the historical value.Elvis was still trying to find something different. I do not dislike this song, though the version of ( per example) The Platters sounds much better and fuller, but they were a group and had a full orchestra backing them up, not just 2 guitars and a bass.Always El.
Our man did a wonderful version of this song; as with Blue moon. Simple but so pretty.
Not really my type of song, but still a sincere performance.
Blue Moon is one of my favourite Elvis recordings. Harbour Lights is nice. As with other songs, Elvis and his band give it their own sound.
In my opinion Elvis & the Platters did the only decent version of this song.
Here you hear the young voice of Elvis, not in a recording mood but figuring out how to tackle this type of songs. There is already a glimmer of what to expect! The wildness of the years to come never covered this softness, nay it rather gave the latter a wonderful polish. That's why I like to hear this song now and then.
I admit it's interesting to get a glimpse of what is to come. However, I always found the song boring and repetitive, so I don't care much for it. Obviouly Elvis cared, and thats facinating. His taste covered almost any style within music, that is what made him so versatile. He could sing anything, due to the fact that he listened to all kinds of music combined with his stunning musical talent. I'm glad though that throughout the years he developed his ballad singing to another level than what we get here. This is sheer practice.
I like it and I love The Platters version.
1954; history in the making, not long to go until Elvis changed everthing. This recording is not the greatest, it's what followed that counts, so it is a must for every true Elvis fan.
More fascinating than good---although it is not bad. It doesn't reach the sort of haunting eeriness of Elvis' version of Blue Moon, but still, along with I Love You Because, very interesting to hear Elvis doing a ballad during the Sun years. Later he learned how to sing better, but maintained that beautiful vulnerability in his voice, and he never lost it right up until the very end.
the man dared to do everything. he explored the universe. this song is a fine evidence for that. he is experimenting with the genres. and here, even in his blissful youth he's lightyears away from the Old Mac Donald silliness he'd be involved in ten years down the road. The singer in the making. Enjoy that one. Forever.
As stated before, I have never cared for this song period but, to this day, listening to Blue Moon sung in that yet untrained but haunting voice sends chills up & down my old spine. My Happiness is another haphazard recording but just listen to the clarity of that lovely voice.
This is where I think some Elvis fans are blinded by this being done early on in his career and say it is good. Something like this released in the 60's would be truly hammered. I find the whole performance a struggle and although not brilliant, I love you because, a song of the same time and ilk was a much better Sun effort.
Already the second Elvis song with whistleling on it. More were to come. I think only this one & I love you because were recorded before That's all right. And that's just hours before.
his voice is so romantic and sexy on this one!
Don't like it. Nor do I like I Love You Because, or I Don't Care If The Sun Don't (Doesn't) Shine. However Blue Moon is one of my favorites.
My favorite rendition of this song is definitely by The Platters. But, I do enjoy Elvis' rendition of it a lot too. I love all of Elvis' Sun Records songs and recordings immensely.
5-star song in my opinion. I've always liked this tune. His voice may be raw and untrained at this stage but it sticks with you.
I recently commented on another song that I must be on a different planet to many Elvis fans. The accolades this song receives amazes me, but hey it is a Sun recording. To these ears it is a struggle in all aspects from start to finish, and if this type of performance had been released in the mid 1960’s it would have got hammered.
Who did the whistling on this lovely, innocent recording?