“Hard Knocks” is a song written by Joy Byers and originally recorded by American singer Elvis Presley. It was released in October 1964 as the title track of his 13th studio album. The song is a blues-rock ballad, with Presley’s vocals backed by a band that includes Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass.

The song’s lyrics are about the tough lessons that life can teach. Presley sings about how he has learned to stand up for himself and not to take any guff from anyone. He also sings about how he has learned to appreciate the good times in life, because he knows that the hard times are never far away.

“Hard Knocks” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It was also a critical success, with many critics praising Presley’s vocals and the song’s powerful message. The song has been covered by many artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, and Tom Jones.

The song’s impact on popular music

“Hard Knocks” is considered to be one of Elvis Presley’s most important songs. It is a classic example of his blues-rock sound and is considered to be one of the songs that helped to define the genre. The song’s success helped to pave the way for other blues-rock artists, and it is considered to be one of the songs that helped to popularize the genre. “Hard Knocks” is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by fans of all ages.

Additional information:

  • The song was written by Joy Byers and originally recorded by American singer Elvis Presley.
  • It was released in October 1964 as the title track of his 13th studio album.
  • The song is a blues-rock ballad, with Presley’s vocals backed by a band that includes Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass.
  • The song’s lyrics are about the tough lessons that life can teach.
  • “Hard Knocks” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
  • It was also a critical success, with many critics praising Presley’s vocals and the song’s powerful message.
  • The song has been covered by many artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, and Tom Jones.