“It’s Now or Never” by Elvis Presley is one of those songs that I loved as a kid. Based on an Italian melody, “O Sole Mio,” with new lyrics, it was inevitable that I’d love it. My mother’s side of our family is Italian, and I’d heard that melody many times before.

Today, August 16, marks the anniversary of the passing of Elvis, at age 42, in 1977. As a lover of oldies music, I couldn’t let this day slip by without mention of The King. To be completely honest, I was not a big fan of  Elvis Presley. What few songs I’d heard by him prior to 1960 weren’t really appealing to me musically. I’d never seen the now-famous Ed Sullivan television broadcast, so I really had no conception of the magnitude of his celebrity and talent.

To put it frankly, I simply didn’t like tunes like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.” I know, in retrospect those songs have taken on almost mystical proportions. Today, they’re treasured classics in oldies music and beyond. But as a kid of 10 or 11 at the time, I had no idea of their greatness, nor that of Elvis Presley himself.

Historically, now, I can appreciate that Elvis Presley was probably the greatest single performer and star of the post World War II era. But as a brat back then, if it weren’t for “It’s Now or Never,” I would likely have dismissed him as just another rockabilly singer. If I’d known then what I know now…

“It’s Now or Never” was the first of several Elvis Presley songs I would truly enjoy over the next few years. Not long after, he released another song, “Surrender,” also based on an old Italian melody, “Torna a Surriento” (“Come Back To Sorrento”).

Other Elvis recordings I consider personal favorites, as well as classic oldies, are “Marie’s The Name (Of His Latest Flame), written by Del Shannon, “Return To Sender,” “Blue Hawaii,” and “Wild In The Country.” The latter two are from two of his movies with the same titles, which I think were among his best.

Recommended:

All of Elvis Presley’s #1 Hits (Listen/Download)

Read more about Elvis Presley:

1. Graceland Vigil Marks 33 Years Since Elvis’ Death (Article)
2. The Ultimate Guide To Elvis
3. Elvis Presley on Wikipedia

Elvis In Print: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The King

There’s a long-standing dispute among oldies but goodies collectors and fans as to whether the song “Suspicion” was better done by Elvis Presley or by Terry Stafford.

The song “Suspicion” was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, a prolific songwriting team that composed many songs recorded by Elvis Presley and numerous other artists. It was first recorded and released by Presley on the album “Pot Luck With Elvis” in 1962. According to what data I’ve been able to gather, the single never charted in the U. S.

“Suspicion” by Elvis Presley was re-released as the B-Side of “Kiss Me Quick,” another song from “Pot Luck…” in 1964. The Billboard and CashBox charts indicate “Kiss Me Quick” charted as high as #34, while “Suspicion” never broke into the Top100.

Terry Stafford’s version of “Suspicion,” released initially in 1964, peaked at #3 on the U. S. charts that year. Interestingly, that was during a week when The Beatles held every other top position on the charts.

OK, so much for dry stats and data. I’m simply going to say that the Terry Stafford version was the first I heard, and it became a favorite. I didn’t have a clue that Elvis had done the song originally two years earlier, and his version wasn’t getting airplay at that time, or any other time, apparently.

It wasn’t until the advent of CD technology, and the growth of the re-issue industry, that I discovered older albums and songs that I’d missed the first time around. Remember, in the 50′s, 60′s, 70′s and even 80′s there were no computers, downloads, MP3′s, YouTubes, Napsters or Amazons. Finding and getting music was strictly a manual thing. You had to go shopping outside the house! That, or mail- or phone-order from catalogues, and all without hearing it first.

I honestly can’t say that either version is better than the other. They both have their good points. While it’s the same song, and both versions are incredibly similar in style and delivery, I actually prefer the sound quality of the Elvis version. It was obviously recorded, mixed and mastered by professionals. The stereo is excellent.

On the other hand, the Terry Stafford version is more in tune with the music of its period, having a similarity to the British Invasion “sound.” It was reported that “Suspicion” was recorded as a demo for a record label, not intended for release. The label did some re-mastering and released it anyway. I think they could have done a better job, actually. Still, the song has irresistible charms.

For what it’s worth, Terry Stafford was not an Elvis Presley imitator. That was his voice. I’ve read that he really didn’t like being pidgeon-holed, but in those days recording artists did what they were told.

So what do you think? Do you have a preference? Just for fun, listen to a sample of each of the versions of the song by clicking the links below. Then, if you dare, tell me which version you prefer, and why.

Click to hear Suspicion by Elvis Presley

Click to hear Suspicion by Terry Stafford

Download the full mp3 of Suspicion by Elvis Presley

Buy the CD “Suspicion” by Terry Stafford

Elvis Presley is a legend of rock.

It’s to the point that he can never die. To this day, people claim to have seen him walking the streets of their home towns; performing in their favorite haunts.

If you read my About page, you’ll know that I never heard any of Elvis Presley’s material until I started listening to rock ‘n’ roll radio in 1960 – long after he’d already made a name for himself.

But, even in 1960, early R ‘n’ R radio had its “oldies,” and music from just 4 or 5 years previous was already “golden.” So, as I listened to Roy Orbison, The Ventures and Del Shannon, I was hearing the golden tunes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.

Today, Elvis is legendary. Back then, he was a star. I’ve loved a LOT of his music over the years, and still do. There’s a reason they call him “The King.”