About the Song
In a television special aired on May 12, 1960, entitled The Frank Sinatra Timex Special: Welcome Home Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley shared the stage in a rare on-air crossover that brought two very different musical worlds together. During the show, Sinatra performed “Love Me Tender” — the tender ballad made famous by Elvis in 1956. Presley, in turn, sang “Witchcraft” — the suave 1957 Sinatra hit written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In a moment of musical exchange, each artist tackled the other’s signature song, and the segment concluded with both men harmonising the closing verses of “Love Me Tender”.
What makes this performance especially fascinating is the convergence of styles: Sinatra’s smooth, traditional pop-crooner finesse facing the energy and rebel charisma of Presley’s rock-and-roll roots. Sinatra’s take on “Love Me Tender” brings a refined emotional depth to a song of soft devotion, while Presley’s rendition of “Witchcraft” offers surprising versatility — stepping outside his usual genre to engage with the more urbane swing world. For older listeners, this moment stands as a unique cultural crossover: not just two stars sharing a stage, but two eras and sensibilities meeting, yielding a performance that both respects tradition and embraces change.
Although neither version was released commercially at that time, the television-special duet has since become a cherished piece of musical history — capturing a moment when two of the greatest voices of the 20th century crossed paths, exchanged material, and offered us something unexpected.
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