Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds – 1968
About the song
If you are a fan of Elvis Presley, you probably know his hit song “Suspicious Minds”, which was released in 1969 and became his last No.1 single in the US. But do you know the story behind this song and how it came to be recorded by the King of Rock and Roll? In this blog post, we will explore the history of “Suspicious Minds” and how it reflects the personal and professional struggles of Elvis Presley.
“Suspicious Minds” was written by Mark James, a songwriter who also co-wrote “Always on My Mind”, another famous song that Elvis Presley would later record. James first recorded and released “Suspicious Minds” in 1968 on Scepter Records, but it failed to make the charts. The song is about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship, and the need of the characters to overcome their issues in order to maintain it. James was inspired by his own situation, as he was married to his first wife but still had feelings for his childhood sweetheart, who was also married. James’s wife had suspicions about his feelings, and he felt that they were all “caught in this trap that they could not walk out of.”
James moved to Memphis to write songs for American Sound Studio, where producer Chips Moman had asked him to come. Moman had a reputation for producing hits, such as “The Letter” by the Box Tops. Moman’s partner, Don Crews, told James that Elvis Presley had booked their studio to record what would become the From Elvis in Memphis album. Crews kept asking James if he had any songs that would be right for Presley. James felt that Presley needed a mature rock ‘n’ roll song to bring him back, as he had been overshadowed by other artists like Tom Jones. James thought of “Suspicious Minds” and began urging others to get Presley to hear it.
Presley liked the song and decided to record it with Moman as the producer. The recording session took place on January 22, 1969 at American Sound Studio. Presley sang the lead vocals and was backed by a studio band that included Reggie Young on guitar, Tommy Cogbill on bass, Gene Chrisman on drums, Bobby Wood on piano, Bobby Emmons on organ, and Mike Leech on string arrangements. The horns, strings, and vocals of the Holladay Sisters were later overdubbed.
The recording session was not without difficulties. Moman wanted to edit the song to make it shorter and more radio-friendly, but Presley insisted on keeping it as it was. Moman also added a fade-out and a fade-in at the end of the song, creating a false ending that surprised and confused some listeners. Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, did not like Moman and tried to interfere with the production. He also demanded a higher percentage of the publishing rights for the song, which James refused to give. Moman threatened to erase the tape if Parker did not back off.
Despite these challenges, “Suspicious Minds” was released as a single on August 26, 1969 with “You’ll Think of Me” as the B-side. It was an instant success, reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on November 1, 1969 and staying there for one week. It also reached No.2 on the UK Singles Chart and No.1 in several other countries. It was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over one million copies in the US. It was one of the songs that helped Presley’s comeback in the late 1960s and early 1970s, along with other hits like “In the Ghetto”, “Don’t Cry Daddy”, and “Burning Love”.
“Suspicious Minds” is widely regarded as one of Presley’s best songs and one of his signature tunes. It showcases his vocal range and emotional expression, as well as his ability to blend rock, country, soul, and pop elements. It also reflects his personal life at the time, as he was going through a turbulent marriage with Priscilla Presley, who later filed for divorce in 1972. Presley performed the song live many times until his death in 1977.
“Suspicious Minds” has been covered by many artists over the years, such as Fine Young Cannibals, Dwight Yoakam, Gareth Gates, Clay Aiken, Martina McBride, and U2. It has also been featured in many movies and TV shows, such as Lilo & Stitch, Ocean’s Eleven, The Conjuring 2, and The Walking Dead. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
“Suspicious Minds” is a song that has stood the test of time and remains a classic in the history of music. It is a song that captures the essence of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, and his legacy as an artist and a cultural icon.
