Elvis Presley – Too Much

About The Song

“Too Much,” released in January 1957, was Presley’s fifth regular single record issue on the RCA Victor label. It followed “Love Me Tender” and preceded “All Shook Up,” both mega #1 hits for Elvis. Perhaps one of the reasons “Too Much” has been given little respect is that, unlike all of the titles listed above, it did not reach #1 on Billboard magazine’s “Top 100” pop chart. During that explosive period in Elvis’ career, any record by him that did not top the charts could be comparatively labeled a failure. “Too Much” only got to #2!

On January 26, 1957, “Too Much” entered Billboard’s “Top 100” at #30. Two weeks later it was in the top 10 at #7. On March 2 it reached #2 and seemed destined to be another chart-topper for Elvis. But Tab Hunter’s awful, multi-spliced recording of “Young Love” would not yield the top spot, and after four weeks in the runner-up position, “Too Much” slipped to #8. Five weeks later it dropped off chart. In the end, it spent 17 weeks in the “Top 100.” It would have been fantastic for any other artist at the time, but the run of “Too Much” seemed anemic compared to the other Presley singles that surrounded it: “Hound Dog” 28 weeks, “Don’t Be Cruel” 27 weeks, “Love Me Tender” 23 weeks, “All Shook Up” 30 weeks, “Teddy Bear” 25 weeks, and “Jailhouse Rock” 27 weeks.

Although it missed the top spot on Billboard’s major pop chart, “Too Much” did reach #1 on the magazine’s separate “Top Sellers” pop chart. And it spent three weeks at #1 on Cashbox magazine’s “Best Selling Singles” chart.  Additionally, it peaked at #3 on both of Billboard’s “Hot Country Singles” and “Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles” charts.

Whenever Elvis Presley’s “Greatest Hits” have been gathered into a collection for vinyl or CD release, “Too Much” has almost always been included. Its chart and sales successes certainly justify it a place alongside Presley’s other hits of the fifties. Still, it’s a recording that probably always will be seen as a “little sister” in the string of colossal hit records Elvis Presley fed into the stream of American pop culture during the years of 1956 and 1957.

Video

Lyric

Let’s sing along with the lyrics!

Well, honey, I love you too much
I need your lovin’ too much
Want the thrill of your touch
Well gee, I can’t love you too much
You do all the livin’
While I do all the givin’
Cause I love you too much

Well, you spend all my money too much
I have to share you honey, too much
When I want some lovin’, you’re gone
Don’t you know you’re treatin’ your daddy wrong
Now you got me started
Don’t you leave me broken-hearted
Cause I love you too much

I need your lovin’ all the time
Need your huggin’, please be mine
Need you near me, stay real close
Please, please, hear me, you’re the most
Now you got me started
Don’t you leave me broken-hearted
Cause I love you too much

Too much

Every time I kiss your sweet lips
I can feel my heart go flip flip
I’m such a fool for your charms
Take me back baby in your arms
Like to hear you sighin’
Even though I know you’re lyin’
Cause I love you too much

I need your lovin’ all the time
Need your huggin’, please be mine
Need you near me, stay real close
Please, please, hear me, you’re the most
Now you got me started
Don’t you leave me broken-hearted
Cause I love you too much