About The Song
Forbidden Feelings: A Moral Dilemma in Elvis Presley’s “Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)“
Ah, those high school crushes. Remember the butterflies in your stomach, the stolen glances across the crowded cafeteria, and the yearning for someone seemingly out of reach? Elvis Presley’s “Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)” captures that bittersweet feeling perfectly. This song explores the complexities of forbidden love, the conflict between loyalty and desire, all delivered with Elvis’s signature charm and vulnerability.
Released in 1960 on the album Elvis Is Back!, “Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)” might surprise listeners familiar with Elvis’s high-octane rock and roll anthems. Here, we hear a different side of the King – a man wrestling with conflicting emotions. The song itself is a mid-tempo ballad, with a melody that reflects the internal struggle of the narrator.
The lyrics paint a picture of a classic moral dilemma. The narrator is smitten with his best friend’s girlfriend. He’s torn between his loyalty to his friend and his growing feelings for the girl. Lines like “I can’t help but steal a glance at her” and “My heart belongs to someone else’s girl” showcase the internal conflict and the weight of his unspoken desires. Elvis delivers these lyrics with a touch of desperation and a hint of regret, his voice perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil.
Musically, the song complements the lyrics beautifully. A steady drumbeat lays the foundation, punctuated by a melancholic piano melody. The use of strings adds a layer of dramatic tension, further emphasizing the weight of the narrator’s situation. There are no flashy guitar solos or driving rhythms here. “Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)” is all about the emotional weight of the lyrics and the raw power of Elvis’s voice.
“Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)” might not be a chart-topping hit, but it’s a song that resonates with anyone who’s ever grappled with forbidden feelings. It reminds us that Elvis Presley could tap into universal emotions, exploring the complexities of love, loyalty, and desire with a relatable vulnerability. So, put on your headphones, close your eyes, and let Elvis transport you back to those confusing days of young love with “Secondhand Heart (The Girl of My Best Friend)”.
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