Sylvia (Elvis Presley song)


"Sylvia" is a song by Elvis Presley from his 1972 album Elvis Now, being the penultimate song recorded on the last day of the prolific Nashville recording sessions in June 1970.
For some reason RCA Victor did not include the song either on That’s The Way It Is album in 1970 or on Love Letters from Elvis album in 1971, though it was recorded during the same sessions and was thematically appropriate for both these albums. It eventually appeared on Elvis Now in 1972. However, the 2008 FTD re-release of Love Letters from Elvis contained the master version of the track as well as all its outtakes.
Another version of the song, recorded on July 15, 1970 at MGM Studios during the rehearsals for the MGM documentary and available on several bootlegs suggests Elvis’ willingness to revive the song for the upcoming Las Vegas concerts. Elvis can be heard vocalizing to the TCB Band, expecting it to accompany his vocals. However, the lackluster response from the musicians caused him to abandon the idea.
In 1972 the song reached the top of the charts in Brazil.

Writing and recording

It was written by Geoff Stephens and Les Reed. Presley recorded it on June 8, 1970 at RCA's Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.

Track listings

7" single