TCBCast 378: Softly, As I Leave You and Don't Be Cruel, Part 1

Olivia and Justin discuss the latest announcements regarding EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, including confirmation of an early 2026 theatrical release AND a soundtrack album, read a bit of listener feedback, and give their brief impressions on Priscilla Presley's "Softly As I Leave You" before going into our Songs of the Week. Olivia's up first, prompted by the book, to look at the history behind "Softly" - originally an Italian ballad titled "Piano" and she unpacks how it made its way from Italian singer Mina to English singer Matt Monro and then across the Atlantic. And how exactly did Elvis Presley land on his unique interpretation with an added tragic narrative layer? Then the duo tackle Justin's Song of the Week, the long-awaited "Don't Be Cruel," exploring the history behind songwriter Otis Blackwell's inspirations, how "Don't Be Cruel" fits into the wider story of both country and rhythm & blues that was manifesting as what we now know as rock and roll in the mid-1950s, what appealed to Elvis about Otis's demo, what makes "Don't Be Cruel" potentially Justin's favorite Elvis song... and why the single of Hound Dog and Don't Be Cruel is the perfect 1950s rock and roll single.

Om Podcasten

"Elvis is history," Carl Perkins once said, "and anytime anyone or anything becomes history, whether it be Pearl Harbor or Elvis, it will never go away. The world will never tire of his songs." TCBCast is an unofficial fan podcast featuring co-hosts Gurdip Ladhar and Justin Gausman, along with regular guest co-hosts Ryan Droste and Bec Wyles, plus an array of Elvis fans and experts setting out to better understand that history, and those songs. Tackling topics from throughout Elvis's lifetime and beyond, TCBCast seeks to offer thoughtful, intelligent, heartfelt and honest discourse on Presley's career, his influences, the people who made his work possible, and the cultural phenomenon surrounding his iconography. TCBCast is not associated with or endorsed by Graceland, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Authentic Brands Group or Sony.