In the summer of 1953, most likely inspired by a July article in the
local paper on the Memphis Recording Service and Sam Phillips's recording of the
Prisonaires, a group of prisoners from the state penitentiary, Elvis ventured
into 706 Union Avenue and asked to record his voice for the very first time.
There he made a two-sided acetate at his own expense and accompanying himself on
guitar. The songs he recorded were:
MY HAPPINESS
This song was written in 1933 by Betty Peterson and Borney Bergantine. It was
recorded in 1948 by John and Sandra Steele, whose release went to #3 on the
Billboard Singles Chart. Others to record it in 1948 were The Pied Pipers with
Paul Weston Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, The Song Spinners, and The Marlin
Sisters. In 1953 the Mulcays, a harmonica group, released it as an
instrumental. In 1959 a version by Connie Francis hit #2 on the Hot 100 Chart.
THAT'S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES BEGIN
This song was written in 1940 by William J. Raskin, Billy Hill and Fred Fisher.
The Ink Spots recorded it in 1950. In 1951, a recording by Bob Lamb was
released. In 1952 Billy Bunn and His Buddies released a version of it. Elvis
re-recorded it for RCA on January 13, 1957 at Radio Recorders. This version was
the B side to the single "All Shook Up" and it peaked at #58 on the Hot 100
Chart.
Elvis's world was changing rapidly. His first single "That's All
Right"/"Blue Moon Of Kentucky" was beginning to take off and by the middle of
August 1954, both sides would be on the Billboard Chart for the Memphis area.
He returned to Sun Studio on August 19, 1954 wanting to record again.
BLUE MOON
"Blue Moon" was the song Elvis chose to lay down that night. The song was
written in 1933 by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. It was originally written
under a different title for a project with actress Jean Harlow. Mr. Hart later
changed the lyrics and changed the title to "The Bad In Every Man" for the
1934 Clark Gable film "Manhattan Melodrama". The lyrics and title changed
again to "Blue Moon." It was recorded by Frankie Trumbauer & Band in 1934 and
Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Band in 1935. The Benny Goodman Orchestra with
Helen Ward also released it that year. Many other artists over the years have
recorded this song, Elvis's version for Sun was not be released until 1956 when
it appeared on his first album for RCA, "Elvis Presley."
TOMORROW NIGHT
This song was written in 1939 by Sam Caslow and Will Grosz, and recorded that
same year by Horace Heidt and his orchestra The Heidt-Lights. It was released
again in 1948 by Lonnie Johnson and in late 1954 by LaVern Baker. In 1965 RCA
recorded new backing tracks and overdubbed Elvis's original vocal track to
release it on the album "Elvis For Everyone." An edited version was released on
"The Complete Sun Sessions" and this original version was released in 1992 on
"The King of Rock 'n' Roll."
SATISFIED
This song was written and recorded by Martha Cardson in 1952. In 1953 Johnnie
Ray recorded it and it has since been released by a number of artists including
Barbara Mandrell and Bill Gaither and The Gaither Vocal Band. Records indicate
that Elvis definitely recorded one take of this song but the tape has yet to
surface.
I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO (LITTLE DARLIN')
Cowboy crooner Jimmy Wakely wrote and recorded this song in 1943. Other
versions were released by Jimmy Liggins and Hank Snow. Elvis' version was
released by RCA on his first album "Elvis Presley" in 1956.
I DON'T CARE IF THE SUN DON'T SHINE
This song was written by Mack David in 1949 for the Disney film "Cinderella,"
but it was not used. In 1950 Patti Page released a version, as did LeRoy Homes
and Dean Martin, who was one of Elvis's favorite singers. Martin's version was
used in the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis movie "Scared Stiff". The story goes that
Marion Keisker , who worked for producer Sam Phillips and had brought Elvis to
his attention, actually helped write additional lyrics for the song for Elvis,
but signed away any rights at the insistence of the song's publisher. It was
released as the B side of Elvis's second single "Good Rockin' Tonight."
JUST BECAUSE
Bob and Joe Shelton along with Sid Robin are credited with the writing and
recording of this song in 1937 - a hit for them. There is some controversy that
it comes from a much earlier song by a group called Nelstone's Hawaiians.
Others who have recorded it include Brenda Lee, the Flying Burrito Brothers,
Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Bobby Vinton, Lawrence Welk, Rosemary Clooney,
Duane Eddy, Rick Nelson and Paul McCartney. Frankie Yankovic's 1948 polka
version was very popular.
GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT
This song, written and recorded in 1947 by Roy Brown, reached the top 20 on the
R&B Chart. It was recorded by Wynonie Harris in 1948 and it reached #1 on the
R&B chart. It was Elvis's second single. Later, in 1959, Pat Boone's version
peaked on the Hot 100 Chart at #49. In 1956 Jean Chapel recorded an "answer
song" called "I Won't Be Rockin' Tonight."
MILKCOW BLUES BOOGIE
Written and recorded by James "Kokomo" Arnold in 1935, this song was recorded in
1938 by Bob Crosby and in 1941 by Johnny Lee Wills. Moon Mullican recorded it
in 1946 under the title "New MilkCow Blues." Also in 1946, Bob Wills and His
Texas Playboys recorded it under the title "Brain Cloudy Blues." In 1961 Ricky
Nelson's version hit #79 on the Hot 100 Chart. Elvis's version was released in
January 1955 as a single with "You're A Heartbreaker" as the other side.
YOU'RE A HEARTBREAKER
This song was written in 1953 by Charles "Jack" Sallee, who was a friend of Sam
Phillips. Jimmy Heap recorded it in 1953 as did the Ray Anthony Orchestra with
Jo Ann Greer. In January 1955, this song, along with "Milkcow Blues Boogie" as
the other side, became Elvis's third single released on the Sun label in January
1955. In the January 29, 1955 issue of "The Billboard" magazine, this single
was reviewed:
"Presley continues to impress with each release as one of the slickest talents
to come up in the country field in a long, long time. Item here is based on
some of the best folk blues. The guy sells all the way."
By February 1955, Elvis's regional popularity was growing by leaps and
bounds. He had released three singles for Sun Records, he was a regular on the
"Louisiana Hayride," and he was performing on whirlwind tours through Texas,
Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Sometime in the first week of February he
squeezed in another recording session at Sun.
I GOT A WOMAN
Written and recorded by Ray Charles in 1954, the song was derived from the tune
of a gospel song by Alex Brown called "I've Got A Savior (Across Town). Mr.
Charles's version was a hit and reached #2 on the R&B Chart. Elvis's version for
Sun was lost, however, he can be heard to singing it live in concert recordings
from those early days. He would record it again at his first session for RCA in
1956 and it would be a staple of his concerts throughout his life. Others who
have recorded this song include Ricky Nelson.
TRYING TO GET TO YOU
Written by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton in 1954, this song was a hit
for the Washington, D.C. group The Eagles that same year. Elvis tried one take
of this song in February 1955 and created the final master on July 11, 1955.
This particular track was lost.
BABY, LET'S PLAY HOUSE
This song was written and recorded by Arthur Gunter in 1954. It would become
Elvis's fourth single along with "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone". In an
interview, Elvis's mother Gladys said this song was one of her favorites he'd
recorded thus far. It peaked at #5 on the national Billboard Country Chart.
I'M LEFT, YOU'RE RIGHT, SHE'S GONE
Producer Sam Phillips was looking to have Elvis record another song that could
back the "Baby, Let's Play House" single. Another Sun hopeful, steel guitarist
Stan Kesler, along with Bill Taylor, had written this song. The session didn't
go well at first. Elvis and the band tried the song at a slow beat. Sam then
brought in a young drummer, Jimmie Lott, who was the first percussionist to work
an Elvis Presley recording session. The song was then reworked and recorded
again.
I FORGOT TO REMEMBER TO FORGET
This song was written by Sun artists Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers. This time
Johnny Bernero was on drums. Elvis wasn't really interested in the song, but it
was Mr. Bernero's drumming that helped him warm up to it. Released along with
"Mystery Train" as Elvis's last Sun single, this song would become Elvis's first
number one hit on a national chart. It spent a total of 39 weeks on the
Billboard Country Chart, with five of the those weeks at the #1 spot.
MYSTERY TRAIN
Written and recorded in 1953 by Sun artist Herman "Little Junior" Parker.
Elvis's version was released as the B-side of "I Forgot To Remember To Forget".
It peaked at #11 on the national Billboard Country Chart.
TRYING TO GET TO YOU
On this date Elvis tried again and finally got a successful take of this song.
It would be released on his first album for RCA "Elvis Presley" in 1956.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT REALLY POURS
This song, written by Sun artist, William "Billy the Kid" Emerson, was the last
one Elvis recorded for Sun Records. The session was never completed.
Negotiations had begun on the sale of Elvis's contract to RCA. This song would
eventually be released in 1983 on the album "Elvis: A Legendary Performer,
Volume 4."
By the week ending June 29, 1955, Elvis's Sun singles were on Billboard's
Territorial Country Charts in Memphis ("I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" -
#5), New Orleans ("Baby, Let's Play House" - #7), Richmond, VA ("Baby Let's Play
House" - #6), and St. Louis ("Baby Let's Play House" - #8).
In the review section of the August 20, 1955 issue of Billboard magazine, "I
Forgot To Remember To Forget" was spotlighted: "This sound is certain to get
strong initial exposure. Presley is currently on the best selling charts with
"Baby, Let's Play House" and the wide acceptance of this side should ease the
way for the new disk. Flip "Mystery Train" is a splendid coupling, with the
guitar outstanding."
By September 3, 1955 Elvis had also hit the Territorial Charts in Charlotte, NC
and Dallas/Ft. Worth for the first time with "Baby Let's Play House". By the end
of the year, Elvis had his first national #1 hit (country chart) with "I Forgot
To Remember To Forget" and RCA finalized the purchase of his Sun recording
contract. The sound of Elvis Presley's recorded voice first captured at that
tiny studio on Union Avenue in Memphis would soon be heard throughout the world.
It still is today, 50 years after his career began.
On July 5, 2004 things came full circle with an event billed as "A Global Moment
in Time." Scotty Moore, the only surviving member of the original group, pushed
a button at Sun Studio and played the original recording of "That's All Right"
for a global satellite feed to radio stations in commemoration of the 50th
anniversary of Elvis's first single and the start of his career.