Elvis Songs: Any Way You Want Me

Written by: Aaron Schroeder, Cliff Owens

Recorded: July 2, 1956, RCA Studios, New York City NY
Released master is take 12.

Single: w/ "Love Me Tender", 47-6643, October 1956
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0616, March 1959

RIAA Certified: 3X Multi-Platinum (as of 07/15/1999)

Highest U.S. Charts Position:
#27 on Billboard Top 100

1st LP release: Elvis Golden Records - April 1958

"Any Way You Want Me" is one of Elvis' earliest "power ballads". This is not a soft, gently sung love song like its famous flip side, it's Elvis belting it out and vocally projecting, with the Jordanaires giving him the full weight of their backing support.

I'll write some more about this later, promise, but for now, check out the links and stuff!

Presley sings "Any Way You Want Me" with ringing power in the original recordings, although later "stereo-transcriptions" lacerate the ears. It is difficult to describe this song; perhaps "smoochy-rock" gets nearest. But Presley's performance is outstanding. At the end, the way in which he sings the word "heart" is totally sincere; the sort of moment to make one want to play the song over and over again.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley - A Study In Music, 1979

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I'll be a strong as a mountain
Or weak as a willow tree
Anyway you want me
That's how I will be

I'll be a tame as a baby
Or wild as the raging sea
Anyway you want me
That's how I will be

In your hand my heart is clay
To take a mold as you may
I'm what you make me, you've only to take me
And in your arms I will stay

I'll be a fool or a wise man
My darling you hold the key
Yes, anyway you want me
That's how I will be
I will be