Leonard, Liszt, and Elvis

[Hartmut]

Leonard, Liszt, and Elvis

One of my favourite not-that-well-known facts about Leonard's music is that the melody of his song "Came So Far for Beauty" (co-written with John Lissauer) is based on Franz Liszt's piano piece "Liebestraum No. 3".

So far, so good. But today I learned that there is also an Elvis Presley song based on that Liszt piece: "Today, Tomorrow and Forever" (written by Bernie Baum and Buddy Kaye).

Interesting to listen for similarities and differences in these songs.

Franz Liszt: "Liebestraum No. 3"
https://youtu.be/KpOtuoHL45Y

Leonard Cohen: "Came So Far for Beauty"
https://youtu.be/yXBT5-0pkyg

Elvis Presley: "Today, Tomorrow and Forever"
https://youtu.be/lz3yfKFLqWs

[B4real]

Thanks, Hartmut!
I remember our discussion about LC's song Came For Beauty and some more of his songs in a similar situation here - https://www.leonardcohenforum.com/viewt ... zt#p355466 also click on the links there.

I've known Elvis' song for ages but never made the connection so that's interesting.
You know, sometimes things just go round and round

[Hartmut]

Hi Bev,

I remember that conversation as well!

I have to admit that I didn't know that Elvis song until yesterday. I think it's a relatively unknown song that didn't appear on a regular album.

[B4real]

I have to admit that I didn't know that Elvis song until yesterday. I think it's a relatively unknown song that didn't appear on a regular album.

Ha! Hartmut, I've had this song on my original vinyl ext play record since 1963. It's from the movie Viva Las Vegas.
Just for the record (no pun intended ) below is a photo of my very old album -

.....and a bit of trivia about why the album and movie title title here differ - https://vitalvegas.com/things-you-didnt ... las-vegas/

[Hartmut]

Thanks for the photo and the link, Bev!

Yes, I know about the movie. But the description of this video tricked me into thinking the song didn't appear in the movie:

https://youtu.be/VhaDbn7sO8w