Elvis Presley | 'He Touched Me' - Inspiring Story of Lyrics
August 21, 2019
Before the days of Elvis being heralded as the “King of Rock and Roll,” he was known for his love of gospel music. One of the songs that gained him attention was his recording of the hymn ‘He Touched Me’.
“Shackled by a heavy burden
Need the Lord again and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
For He touched me, He touched me
He touched me and what a wonderful joy
What wonderful joy that foods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole”
RELATED: Elvis Presley | 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' - Story Behind Lyrics
Elvis’s powerful vocals have a tenderness in this song that’s just heavenly to listen to. In the recording of the song, Elvis was backed vocally by The Imperials, Ginger Holladay, Millie Kirkham, and Temple Riser. The song was first released as a single in March 1972 and then released later that year as the title song of the album ‘He Touched Me.’ Elvis received a Grammy award for this album, and he also achieved the title of Best Inspirational Performance for 1972.
Bill Gaither's Story Behind His Most Popular Song
We owe the words and music of this popular hymn to the talented Bill Gaither. He wrote the song in 1963 after joining his friend, Dr. Dale Oldham, on various crusade meetings. While they were driving back to Gaither’s home in Indiana, they conversed about how the Spirit of God was felt so deeply during the gatherings that they attended. Oldham also mentioned something to Gaither that stuck with him.
“One night after one of those meetings, Dr. Oldham said to me, ‘Bill, the word “touch” is a very popular word,’” Gaither recalls. “'It comes up so often in the New Testament stories about Jesus touching people’s eyes and healing them or touching people’s lives and changing them. It’s a special, spiritual word and you ought to write a song that praises His touch.’ So, I did.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Elvis Presley | 'Peace in the Valley' - Story Behind Lyrics
After writing songs for many years, ‘He Touched Me’ was the first song that Bill Gaither wrote that gained national attention. And many big artists, like Elvis, recorded it and made it even more popular with the American public. It’s wonderful to see how this song has touched the hearts of so many people throughout the years, reminding us of the life-changing hope and joy that can be found in Jesus!
WATCH: 'He Touched Me' - Elvis Presley
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Be a Missionary Every Day - Your Daily Prayer - February 8
You don’t have to travel far to live on mission. This prayer helps you embrace your role as a daily witness of God’s love, right where you are.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Be a Missionary Every Day - Your Daily Prayer - February 8
You don’t have to travel far to live on mission. This prayer helps you embrace your role as a daily witness of God’s love, right where you are.
Past Stories
- Can You Lose Your Salvation?
- 10 Classic Christian Sunday School Songs That Kids Love To Sing
- 37 Best Birthday Bible Verses For A Daughter To Bless Her Special Day With Scripture
- These Two Mini Goldendoodles Are the Best Part of This Wisconsin Hotel
- After His Truck Became a Meme, the Community Stepped Up With a Huge Act of Kindness
- 15 Comforting Christian Songs for a Death or Tragedy
- What This Waitress Leaves For These Tired Firefighters Is So Touching I Cried!
- Woman Gives Birth Without Knowing She Was Pregnant, Leaving Her and Her Husband in Awe
- One Small Act of Kindness at a Pharmacy Led to an Unexpected Blessing
- After Years of Waiting and Loss, This Couple’s Path to Parenthood Took a Beautiful Turn
- 200 Hamburgers, Endless Smiles: Shelter Dogs Get a Feast They’ll Never Forget
- Meeting God in The Quiet
- What Began as a DNA Test Became a Father-Son Reunion Years in the Making
- A Simple Flea Market Visit in Kentucky Leads to an Incredible Family Reunion With the Past
- She Found a Lost Wallet on the Subway, Not Knowing How Returning it Would Change Her Life
- Supercentenarian Celebrates Her 111th Birthday and a Life Well Lived With Family and Friends
- Finding Love Again at 78, This Loving Couple Met at Church and Married Four Months Later
- Siblings Are Heroes After Saving Their Bus Driver and Keeping the Other Kids Calm
- Brave Father Runs Back Into Burning Home to Rescue His Daughter From House Fire
- The Power of Your Mouth
- Born in the Middle of World War I, This 108-Year-Old is Still Going Strong
- Diagnosed With Bone Cancer, Young Soldier Reunites With the Dog He Loved Overseas
- Baby Boy Born in a Carl's Jr. Parking Lot After Parents Didn't Make it to the Hospital On Time
- Landlord Surprises His Tenants By Offering Free Rent in November and December
- Birthday Boy Saves Friend From Drowning at His Own Pool Party
- His Girlfriend Had Sweet Memories of Bass Pro Shops, So That's Where Her Boyfriend Proposed
- Proud Parents Get a Surprise Visit From Their Soldier Son After Over a Year Apart
- Into the Deep End
- 93-Year-Old Grandfather Travels 40 Hours to Surprise His Grandson on His Wedding Day
- Trapped in a Burning Car, She Honked for Help, and a Brave Officer Saved Her Life
- Texas City Offers Something Special and Heartwarming With Their 'Grandma Stand'
- At 100, Wisconsin Navy Veteran Founded a Church and Still Serves as a Crossing Guard
- New York Police Officer Reunites With Woman He Helped on a Cold Winter Day
- When They Feared Losing Their Newborn, They Prayed for a Miracle, Then He Pulled Through
- Family Battling Daughter’s Rare Illness Gets the Perfect Secret Santa Surprise
- When a Loyal Customer Didn’t Show Up, This Chef Followed His Heart and Saved Him
- When a Comment Hits Deeper Than Expected
- 67-Year-Old California Man Saves His Family From Fire After Jumping From 2nd Floor Window
- Hiker is Rescued at Utah's Arches National Park After Getting Stuck in Quicksand
- 2,397 Golden Retrievers Gather Together in Buenos Aires and It's Way Too Cute
- Dog is Found and Rescued After Running Away From California Airbnb
- Young Boy Was Only 5 Years Old When He Started a Christmas Card Campaign For Veterans
- California Family Launches Pizzeria to Help Their Daughter With Special Needs Thrive
- Gary Sinise on Giving Gold Star Families Hope Through ‘Snowball Express'
- Off-Duty Paramedic Jumps in and Saves 7-Year-Old Girl After Her House Catches On Fire
- Three Virginia First Graders Save Their Teacher After She Started Choking On Her Food
- 81 Years Later, Two WWII Veterans Meet And Discover They Survived the Same POW Camp
- Coma Survivors Turned Sweethearts Get Engaged at the Hospital Where it All Began
- After a Scary Emergency Surgery, This Dad Made it in Time to See His Son Being Born
- Baby Girl Born in a Missouri Buc-ee’s Parking Lot After Parents Can't Make it to the Hospital in Time
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever
toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video
Universal Music Group Women Who Worship - Thank You Jesus For The Blood
Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul
Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Is He Worthy?
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.