I can easily wax poetic over the wonderful merits of the receipt of a love letter. I am a lover of words.

Something that can be spelled out in a dozen locutions that is lovingly and genuinely extended to several dozen paragraphs touches the true romantic’s heart in a way few can understand. Some see it as a waste of time and effort. That is the entire point. It IS an effort. The extra words become loving glances, the sweet sentiment turns into a gentle touch, the flair of the ink is the emphasis of the emotions.

Love letters straight from your heart
Keep us so near while apart

The outpouring of one’s heart becomes a way to switch between weighted feelings and swapped stories only the two involved understand. A love letter is a secret shared. That trust factor makes all the difference.

I’m not alone in the night
When I can have all the love you write

It’s said Elvis was not a big letter writer in general, love or otherwise. I can only guess why. Perhaps he didn’t have a great impetus to convey his deepest heartfelt feelings. Maybe he didn’t see the point. Or he just wasn’t one to pour his heart out in ink. Maybe there was not a soul mate he profoundly wanted to express his love to in printed word. Or maybe ……

I memorize ev’ry line
I kiss the name that you sign

His love letter form was the velvet tone of his voice.

Being serenaded by someone who loves you sincerely is a powerful exchange, a giving of oneself, unselfishly, with the only thought of showing adoration. A song is a vocal love letter and it’s exceptionally special.

And darlin, then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart

Both vocals and written hold meaning. However there is a lot to be said for a handwritten note one can read over and over and over again, knowing what is in your hands was once in their hands.

Just listen to Elvis’s Love Letters, a song so touching he recorded it twice, years apart. You get the vocals and the very important message in this lovely tune.

(hmmm, wonder if Lucky and Rusty exchanged love letters?)

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LOVE LETTERS

(words & music by Heyman / Young)

Love letters straight from your heart
Keep us so near while apart
I’m not alone in the night
When I can have all the love you write

I memorize ev’ry line
I kiss the name that you sign
And darlin, then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart

Recorded 5/26/1966, first released on single

Re-recorded 1970, first released on Love Letters From Elvis

Nashville Tennessee RCA Studio B

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