Introduction
The original “Young and Beautiful” was written and performed by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1957. The song, a ballad about young love and its fleeting nature, found moderate success, reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
However, the connection to Elvis and Priscilla comes from a different “Young and Beautiful.” In 1976, singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey released her own song titled “Young and Beautiful,” heavily inspired by the lives of Elvis and Priscilla. This version, featuring a melancholic and atmospheric sound, gained significant popularity, particularly after being featured in the film “The Great Gatsby” (2013).
While Elvis never sang “Young and Beautiful,” the song by Lana Del Rey serves as a poignant reflection on the couple’s whirlwind romance. Their story, marked by young love, immense fame, and eventual separation, resonates with the themes of the song, making it a popular choice for fan-made edits and tributes featuring Elvis and Priscilla.
Therefore, when encountering “Young and Beautiful” associated with Elvis and Priscilla, it’s important to understand the distinction between the original song and Lana Del Rey’s version, which serves as a unique homage to their captivating, yet complex, relationship.