About The Song
“Pocketful of Rainbows” was written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman and recorded by Elvis Presley. It was released in October 1960 as part of the soundtrack album G.I. Blues on RCA Victor. The song was recorded on May 6, 1960, at RCA Victor’s Hollywood studios for Elvis Presley’s 1960 film G.I. Blues.
The recording took place during a session that included other tracks for the film, with Elvis accompanied by musicians such as Scotty Moore on guitar, D.J. Fontana on drums, and The Jordanaires providing vocals. The track runs 2:35 and features a light pop arrangement with piano by Dudley Brooks and accordion by Jimmie Haskell.
The lyrics convey an optimistic outlook on love, with lines like “I don’t worry whenever skies are gray above.” The song reflects a romantic theme, where the narrator finds solace in love, symbolized by a “pocketful of rainbows,” despite life’s challenges. In the film, Juliet Prowse lip-synchs to Loulie Jean Norman’s voice while singing along with Presley in a cable car scene set in Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany.
An alternate version, slightly faster than the original, was used in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire directed by Cameron Crowe. The song was not released as a single but gained attention through the movie and later covers, including a 1993 Japanese version by Yellow Magic Orchestra on their album Technodon.
The G.I. Blues album, released on October 1, 1960, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and was certified double platinum. The film marked Elvis’s return to Hollywood after his military service, with the soundtrack featuring other hits like “Wooden Heart.”
Video
Lyric
I don’t worry
Whenever skies are gray above
Got a pocketful of rainbows
Got a heart full of loveMister Heartache
I’ve found a way to make him leave
Got a pocketful of rainbows
Got a star up in my sleeveKiss me extra tender
Hold me extra tight
‘Cause I’m savin’ your sweetness
For a lonely night, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, ayeNo more teardrops
Now that I’ve found a love so true
I got a pocketful of rainbows
Got an armful of youKiss me extra tender
Hold me extra tight
‘Cause I’m savin’ your sweetness
For a lonely night, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, ayeNo more heartaches
Now that I’ve found a love so true
Got a pocketful of rainbows
And an armful of youRainbows…
Rainbows…