You Think You Know Me Well… Heartbreak Hotel

You Think You Know Me Well - Heartbreak Hotel Facebook

You Think You Know Me Well - Heartbreak Hotel Facebook

Lyrics for Heartbreak Hotel were written by steel guitarist Tommy Durden. Durden said he was inspired by a newspaper story from 1955. The story was about a man who killed himself and left a note saying, “I walk a lonely street.” Though researchers have been unable to confirm this story and consider this an urban legend.

Rolling Stone reported in 2016 that the inspiration more than likely came from a 1953 story about a man who was killed while robbing a liquor store. After the shooter turned himself in a memoir was discovered and this passage was mentioned in stories:           

This is the story of a person who walked a lonely street. I hope this will help someone in the future.

Elvis was 21 years old when Heartbreak Hotel was released on January 27, 1956 an it created a national sensation. Heartbreak Hotelwas Elvis’ first #1 hit on the US Billboard Pop chart and it topped the Country chart. Along with it being his first #1 hit, it was also his first release on the label RCA Victor.

According to producer Steve Sholes:

They all told me it didn’t sound like anything. It didn’t sound like his other records and I’d better not release it, better go back and record it again.

Many executives at RCA Victor felt like it was a bad choice signing on Elvis, as his talent was still rather unknown. With his first gold record and over one million in sales, Elvis proved his worth to RCA Victor.

Until we meet again,

TCB and TCE

Signature

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Reply