KING’S SONGWRITER:

Sid Tepper, who co-wrote more than 40 songs for Elvis Presley films, has died.

Songwriter Sid Tepper, who co-wrote more than 40 songs specifically for Elvis Presley, died Friday at his home in Miami Beach of natural causes, said his daughter Jackie. He was 96.

Although Tepper and his songwriting partner Roy C. Bennett wrote extensively for Presley, they never met him. All their songs for him were for his movies, including the title number for “G.I. Blues” (1960) and “The Lady Loves Me,” sung as a duet with Ann-Margret in “Viva Las Vegas” (1964).

By the time they wrote for Presley, Tepper and Bennett were already established songwriters, best known for their popular ballad, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” which was performed by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and others.

Presley needed that kind of material for his movies.

“When Elvis started to make the movies, they needed nonrock ‘n’ roll writers, people who could come up with special material songs and ballads,” Tepper said in a 2005 interview for the book “Elvis Presley: Writing for the King,” by Ken Sharp.

Tepper and Bennett would be given movie scripts and asked to write for specific scenes. But they were not the only songwriters approached — others were asked to submit songs for the same scenes. Tepper and Bennett, who both wrote music and lyrics, often beat out the competition. On “Blue Hawaii” (1961) alone, they have five credited songs.

They were especially good at writing for specific situations. “The Lady Loves Me” comes at a point in “Viva Las Vegas” where Presley’s flirtations with Ann-Margret are getting him nowhere, though he remains confident. He sings: I’m her ideal, her heart’s desire

Under that ice she’s burning like fire

To which she shoots back:

The gentleman has savoir-faire

As much as an elephant or a bear

The movie songs were in sharp contrast to the rockabilly numbers that made Elvis a star. But Tepper made no apologies.

“I believe that Elvis’ movies and their songs made a mighty contribution to his career,” he told Sharp. “They brought him to the attention of millions of people who otherwise would never have known the greatness of the King.”