If You Don’t Come Back
The song ‘If You Don’t Come Back’ from the 1973 album ‘Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Time Sake’ is a song that was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and first recorded by the Drifters in April 1963. In Elvis’ version he utilizes back up vocalists to comprise some of the lyrics which is different than the Drifters version. The Drifters version the lyrics are essentially in the first person, the perspective of the lead singer with some reprise back up vocals while Elvis utilizes the backup vocals lyrics to tell part of the lyrical story from a second person perspective.
Below are the lyrics to Elvis’ version along with the audio track that has some slight lyrical changes to the original. As well Elvis version skips a verse that was included in the Drifters original version. We have also included the Drifters version as reference.
Album: Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake
Recorded: July 21, 1973
Released: October 1, 1973
Studio: Stax Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller
[Woke up early in the morning, what did the poor boy find]
Well the car was gone and you were gone
And I almost lost my mind
If you don't come back
[If you don't come back]
Yeah…If you don't come back today
[If you don't come back today]
You can call up the people at the crazy house
And take this crazy man away
[He threw himself up against the wall, he tore his clothes and he sobbed]
I ran out on the street in my stocking feet
Yelling police I’ve been robbed
If you don't come back
[If you don't come back]
Mmm…If you don't come back today
[If you don't come back today]
Well you can call up the people at the crazy house
And take this crazy man away
Mrs. Brown's been talking about me
To the people across the street
She said..
[I cooked that boy a bucket of stew, but the poor thing just won’t eat]
If you don't come back
[If you don't come back]
Yeah if you don't come back today
[If you don't come back today]
You can call up the people at the crazy house
And take this crazy man away