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Love Me Tender is an oldies love song sung by Elvis Presley, in the movie, Love Me Tender. Elvis had just a small role in the movie, but during filming it became apparent that he was a really big deal, and his role was expanded to take advantage of his stardom.

His character is killed at the end of the movie. This was Presley's only movie that he died in, but Elvis re-appears to reprise the song.

The music is based on a 1861 Classical piece called "Aura Lee"(or "AuraLea"),, a sentimental Civil War ballad with music by George R. Poulton and lyrics and words by W.W. Fosdick. "Aura Lee" is a Civil War song that later became popular with college glee clubs and barbershop quartets. It was also sung at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

The Love Me Tender song is credited to Presley and Vera Matson because of the publishing agreement reached for the assignment of royalties, but the principal writer of the lyrics and words was Ken Darby (Matson's husband).

Presley performed "Love Me Tender" on the The Ed Sullivan Show 9 September 1956, shortly before the single's release and about a month before the movie, Love Me Tender, was released, for which the song was originally recorded. This was released as a single in September 1956. It didn't appear on an album until March 1958, when it was included on Elvis' Golden Records.

RCA received 1 million advance orders for the song, making it a gold record before it was even released. The studio, 20th Century Fox, originally wanted to call the movie "The Reno Brothers" but instead re-titled it to "Love Me Tender" to capitalize on the song's popularity.

In 1956, this replaced "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog" on the Billboard chart, making Elvis Presley the first artist to replace himself in the #1 position. This occurrence marked two important events in Billboard history. During this time, Elvis accomplished another record at the time; the longest consecutive stay at number one by a single artist, sixteen weeks.

This was also a hit for Richard Chamberlain in 1962 and Percy Sledge in 1967.

Linda Ronstadt covered this in 1978. US Radio stations edited her version together with Elvis' original, creating a duet. This version became very popular, but was never released as a single or available for sale.

Many singers have since cover this evergreen timeless love song. A list of which is available in wikiepedia.

When this song was played on the night he died , it was like Elvis's epitaph ; as if he's telling his fans that he'll always love them until the end of time itself. He wanted the fans to know he cares about them ; and appreciated all the applause , the gifts and the fun times he had performing and playing his music. There will never be another like him.

At the end of the Love Me Tender movie, there is that big image of him singing in the sky... ..., Elvis knew how to sing it the only way its' meant to be sung.......R.I.P Elvis, until we see you again.