Elvis Presley – “Tonight Is So Right for Love” (1960): A Romantic Gem from G.I. Blues
When people think of Elvis Presley, their minds often go to the rocking energy of “Jailhouse Rock” or the sweeping drama of “It’s Now or Never.” But hidden among his catalog are tender, romantic songs that reveal another side of The King. One such treasure is “Tonight Is So Right for Love,” featured in his 1960 film G.I. Blues.
The song is adapted from Johann Strauss II’s “Barcarolle” from The Tales of Hoffmann, given new English lyrics that transform the operatic melody into a charming pop ballad. Elvis had already proven he could bring classical influences into popular music—most famously with “It’s Now or Never,” inspired by the Italian song ’O Sole Mio. Here, he does it again with elegance and ease, turning a 19th-century melody into a sweet, modern love song.
In G.I. Blues, Elvis performs the tune in one of the film’s most romantic scenes, his voice smooth and playful as he serenades with boyish charm. While the movie itself was lighthearted, this number stood out for its sincerity. There’s no swagger here, no rock ’n’ roll rebellion—just Elvis leaning into warmth, romance, and old-fashioned tenderness.
Though “Tonight Is So Right for Love” was not released as a major single in the United States and never climbed the Billboard Hot 100, it found a place in the hearts of fans who cherished his soundtrack recordings. In Europe, however, it did receive attention, and its classical roots gave it a timeless appeal that set it apart from many of his other film songs.
What makes the track special is Elvis’s ability to make the familiar sound fresh. His voice glides effortlessly through the lilting melody, giving it both a youthful sparkle and a sense of intimacy. For fans who discovered Elvis in his movie years, this song was a reminder that even in his lighter film roles, he could deliver a performance filled with sincerity and charm.
“Tonight Is So Right for Love” may not have been one of Elvis Presley’s chart-toppers, but it remains a delightful piece of his musical journey—proof that The King could take a melody from the past and make it feel alive, romantic, and very much his own.
👉 Would you like me to also cover other G.I. Blues songs, like Wooden Heart (which actually topped charts in Europe)? That one has a fascinating story behind it.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Hold me tight
The moon’s so bright
Tonight is so right for loveNow’s the time to say
You’re the only one
Tonight is so right for loveOne by one the stars appear
They twinkle in your eyes
Who’d believe that we’d be here
So near to paradiseThis could be the kiss
To unlock heaven’s door
That magic hour of bliss
That we both waited for
I love more and moreOh’ we could fly right up to the sky
The things we’ve been dreaming of
And how real they would seem
A midsummernight’s dream
Can’t you see that tonight’s so right for loveAnd how real they would seem
A midsummernight’s dream
Can’t you see that tonight’s so right for loveHold me tight
The moon’s so bright
Tonight is so right for love
Oldies Songs