We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby–
Recorded between four and seven in the morning, during the landmark Memphis session that helped return the King to his throne, “Suspicious Minds” — the final Number One single of his lifetime — is Presley’s masterpiece: He sings so intensely through the fade-out that his band returns for another minute of the tear-stained chorus.
~rollingstone.com
Together with “Mystery Train” this is my fav Elvis song (although not this version).
Suspicious Minds:
From Wikipedia:
| B-side | You’ll Think Of Me |
|---|---|
| Released | August 26, 1969 |
| Format | 45 rpm record |
| Recorded | January 23, 1969 |
| Genre | Soul, pop |
| Length | 4:22 (3:28) |
| Label | RCA |
| Writer(s) | Mark James |
| Producer | Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis |
“Suspicious Minds” is a song written by American songwriter Mark James. After James’ recording failed commercially, the song was handed to Elvis Presley by producer Chips Moman, becoming a number one song in 1969, and one of the most notable hits of Presley’s career. “Suspicious Minds” was widely regarded as the single that returned Presley’s career success, following ’68 Comeback Special. It was his seventeenth and last number-one single in the United States. Rolling Stone later ranked it #91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Background
Elvis Presley’s recordings in American Sound Studio were a direct consequence to ’68 Comeback Special, that interested Chips Moman in produce recordings to the new style of Presley, making his comeback to the Memphis musical scene, by recording rock,gospel, country, rhythm & blues and soul. George Klein, local Memphis dj & close friend of Elvis’ suggested he record at the studio.
American Sound Studio session
“Suspicious Minds” was a product of January 23, 1969 session, that took place between 4 am and 7 am. It took eight takes to produce the final song that was later overdubbed by Presley the same night. Also in the same were recorded “I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)”, “Without Love (There Is Nothing)”, and “I’ll Be There”. on August 7, was again overdubbed to stereo and mono in Las Vegas, where the final master was produced. The song is noted for its change of Rhythm, in the Bridge section, from 4/4 to a slower 6/8 and back again to the faster 4/4 rhythm. The first verse repeats over and over again, until it completely fades out, it features a bass guitar, organ, strings, trumpets, trombones, and drums. Session producer Felton Jarvis made the unusual decision to add a premature fade-out to the song starting at 3:36, mirroring the way Presley used to perform it in his live Las Vegas stage act. The fadeout lasts for about 15 seconds before fading back in, conveying a message of relationship in the song. Future Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux sang backing vocals on the track.
Best version (alt.take7 – “Platinum – A Life In Music”):
Elvis Presley Suspicious Minds Live That’s The Way It Is 1970:
Live 1973 – Aloha Hawaii:
Album of the day – Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology (1999):
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Other August 26:
Continue reading Today: Elvis Presley released “Suspicious Minds” in 1969, 44 years ago
