Audiences loved Elvis for his confidence and charm, and it wasn't uncommon for The King to randomly change the lyrics of his songs when he felt like lightening up the mood. During a 1969 performance of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" in Las Vegas, Elvis did just that. Instead of singing the line, "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?" he swapped it out for something much different.
"Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair?" he sang, chuckling at his impromptu creativity. And just as he gets caught up in the joke, a man in the front row happens to remove his wig and begins swaying to the music. As you're about to hear, Elvis completely loses it — and proceeds to struggle through the rest of the song, laughing his head off. Elvis' giggles are utterly infectious, and makes for a wonderful snapshot in time that, thanks to the internet, can now be shared by all.
Also note the strict professionalism of the solo backing singer, Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston's mother) who's defiance against the laughter seemed to make Elvis laugh even harder. How hilarious is this music moment?!
After this live recording was commercially released in 1980, it became a UK Top 30 hit — laughter and all.
So, go on… try not to laugh along with The King, and please SHARE this throwback video with your friends on Facebook!
