This song was written by Otis Blackwell. Elvis had become uncomfortable with the
practice of being given writer's credits on the songs in which he had publishing
partnership. This would be the last one that on which he would receive such
credit. (In the 60s, his writer's credit on "You'll Be Gone" and "That's
Someone You Never Forget" resulted from his contributing to the lyrics with
writer Red West.)
Elvis recorded "All Shook Up" on January 12, 1957 at Radio Recorders of
Hollywood. Elvis and Scotty Moore played guitar. Bill Black played bass, D.J.
Fontana played drums. Jordanaires member Gordon Stoker played piano. The
Jordanaires were the vocal back-up. Thorne Nogar was the engineer. Giving the
song the same feel as he had on "Don't Be Cruel", Elvis again slapped time on
the back of his guitar. Take 10 was chosen and Elvis requested that it be his
next single release. It was shipped out on March 22, 1957. The other side was "That's
When You're Heartaches Begin", a new recording of one of the two songs Elvis had
recorded in 1953 when he made his first private demo recording at the Memphis
Recording Service, home of the Sun label.
"All Shook Up" reached #1 on all three major Billboard charts in the U.S.:
#1 on the country singles chart, 4 weeks at #1 on the R&B chart, and 9 weeks as
the #1 pop single with a 30-week run on that chart. It reached #1 for 7 weeks
on the British singles chart.
Prior to Elvis, the song was recorded by David Hill and Vicky Young. After
Elvis, others to record it include: Billy Joel, Jeff Beck, Albert King, Paul
McCartney, Carl Perkins, Peter and Gordon, Billy Swan, and Rodney Crowell.