Elvis Don't Think Twice It's Alright Lyrics

Okay, picture this: Elvis Presley, the King, crooning a Bob Dylan song. Seems a bit like peanut butter and caviar, right?

Well, it almost happened with "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." Can you imagine Elvis putting his spin on Dylan's breakup anthem? A whole generation might have known it with a healthy dose of that Elvis swagger.

The Near Miss

So, what’s the deal? How did this almost-collaboration come about? Turns out, in the early '60s, Elvis's music publishers, Hill and Range, were actively seeking out new material for the King.

They had their ears to the ground, and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," with its poignant lyrics and deceptively simple melody, caught their attention. They heard something special in Dylan's folksy tune.

A Different Kind of Elvis

Think about it. Elvis usually belted out rock 'n' roll or those heart-wrenching ballads. This Dylan song, with its blend of bitterness and acceptance, was something else entirely. Something perhaps a little more grown-up.

It was a chance to showcase a different side of Elvis, a side that could handle nuanced emotion, maybe even a little vulnerability.

The Colonel's Call

Here's where the story takes a turn, courtesy of the infamous Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis's manager, known for his tight control and… let’s say, unique business strategies, wasn’t too keen on the song.

The Colonel apparently felt the song wasn't right for Elvis's image. He wanted hits, pure and simple. Maybe he thought Dylan's introspective style wouldn't resonate with Elvis's core fans.

Whatever the reason, the Colonel put the kibosh on the whole thing. And that, folks, is how Elvis never recorded "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright."

What Could Have Been

It's fun to imagine what Elvis would have done with it. Would he have sped it up? Added some gospel-infused backing vocals?

Maybe he would have transformed it into a raw, bluesy lament. We'll never know!

Dylan's Take?

What did Bob Dylan think about all this? Well, there's no solid record of his reaction at the time. But it's hard to imagine him being entirely displeased.

Having Elvis, the biggest star in the world, consider one of your songs? That's a pretty big compliment, even for a legend like Dylan. It's easy to imagine Dylan being bemused by the thought of it.

Of course, Dylan carved his own path. And maybe having Elvis cover the song would have changed the legacy of both the song and the artists involved.

A Funny "What If"

So, the next time you hear "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," spare a thought for what almost was. Imagine Elvis in a sparkly jumpsuit, giving his all to a Bob Dylan classic.

It's a funny, fascinating little footnote in music history. It serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars have their almost-were moments, and sometimes, the Colonel knows best (though that's debatable!).

And hey, it just goes to show you: even the King couldn't have everything he wanted. Perhaps it's alright. After all, it gives us something fun to think about!