According to extensive research by Elvis catalog expert Ernst Jorgensen, it is
still unclear on exactly which day Elvis recorded "Teddy Bear", written by Kal
Mann and Bernie Lowe. It was sometime between January 15 and 18, 1957 at the
Paramount Scoring Stage in Hollywood for Elvis' second movie, "Loving You".
Thus far, Elvis' experience in recording for the movies had been somewhat
uncomfortable. The soundtrack for his first movie "Love Me Tender" was recorded
without his own band and back-up singers and without the intimacy of the size
recording studio he was accustomed to. This time around he was able to have his
own group on the session, but still had to record on a cavernous sound stage in
Hollywood. These conditions were not conducive to a productive session and led
to much frustration for everyone.
Added to Elvis' regular group of Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana and The
Jordanaires were two session musicians who would continue to record with Elvis
through the 60s: Hilmer J. "Tiny" Timbrell on rhythm guitar and Dudley Brooks on
piano. Also playing piano at times on this session were Jordanaires members
Gordon Stoker and Hoyt Hawkins.
Take 13 of "Teddy Bear" was the single shipped out on June 11, 1957 along with
the film's title song "Loving You" as its flip side. In the U.S. "Teddy Bear"
reached #1 on Billboard's pop singles chart and country singles chart - total
pop chart run of 25 weeks and a total country chart run of 16 weeks. On the
British pop singles chart it had a 19-week run, peaking at #3.
Others to record the song since then include: Tanya Tucker, Mud, Gene Simmons
and ZZ Top.