Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
“Speedway” was recorded by Elvis Presley on June 20, 1967 for the motion-picture soundtrack of the 1968 film Speedway and released as part of the soundtrack album in 1968. Wikipedia+1 The song was written by Mel Glazer and Stephen Schlaks and serves as the title track of the film/soundtrack project. Wikipedia Musically, “Speedway” opens with a driving rock-and-roll beat and bright horns, capturing the high-energy vibe of racing and speed that the film evokes. Lyrically, the song positions the narrator (Presley) in the fast-paced environment of the racetrack, with imagery of the engines, lights, and competition, though at the same time the tone remains light and fun, rather than deeply introspective.
In context its meaning can be seen two-fold. On one level the song mirrors the film’s plot: Presley plays a race-car driver who is generous and under pressure, and the racing motif is integral to the narrative. The song thus becomes both a promotional piece and an encapsulation of the movie’s kinetic mood. On another level, the lyrics and tone suggest a metaphorical “race” of life — driving fast, being in the spotlight, dealing with competition — though the song does not dwell on existential themes; it stays firmly in the entertainment / show-business domain. Importantly, the soundtrack album “Speedway” marks a transitional moment in Presley’s career: it was his seventeenth and final full soundtrack album, released when his commercial momentum was in decline. Wikipedia+2Vintage Rock Magazine+2 Because of that, “Speedway” serves as a kind of closing chapter of the lightweight Elvis movie-song era before his late-60s musical resurgence. The significance of the song thus lies not only in its immediate role in the film, but also in its place in the larger arc of Elvis Presley’s musical journey: it captures a moment when a superstar entertainer was still performing vivid, fun fare, yet on the cusp of changing artistic direction. For fans and historians, “Speedway” is a snapshot of 1960s pop-movie-soundtrack culture and a milestone in the story of Presley’s career.