This composition was written and first performed by bluesman Arthur Crudup, but not his version was destined to rewrite the history of modern music. A few years later, a nineteen-year-old truck driver who dreams of becoming a famous musician will sing it in an unusual style, and the world will get acquainted with the future legend.
Read about the song That’s All Right, which began the ascension to the throne of the “King of Rock and Roll”.
That’s Alright Mama by Elvis Presley song meaning.
History of the creation of the song That’s All Right
It was composed by Arthur Crudup, nicknamed Big Boy, a representative of the Delta blues school. His songs have been performed by many famous artists over the years, including Elton John, Rod Stewart and the Slade band.
The lyrics of the song are excerpts from the classic blues tracks of the twenties, known from the work of Blind Lemon Jefferson (Blind Lemon Jefferson).
Crudup recorded That’s All Right on September 6, 1946 in Chicago. Critics note that Arthur performed several works with an identical melody.
The song was released as a single on the RCA Victor label in 1947, but it did not gain much popularity. Subsequently, it was re-released under the name That’s All Right, Mama.
Elvis Presley version of That’s All Right
The story of how a young Elvis came to audition for Sam Phillips, the owner of the Sun Records label, is known to Presley fans. We will briefly retell it to music lovers who are not initiated into the intricacies of the biography of the “King”.
On July 5, 1954, Elvis, bassist Bill Black, and guitarist Scotty Moore gathered in the studio to make some demos. The tapes were supposed to show Phillips what Presley was capable of. The musicians performed Harbor Lights and I Love You Because, take after take, but no one liked the result.
When they sat down to rest, Elvis began to hum That’s All Right, playing along on the guitar and greatly speeding up the tempo of the original. The partners joined in, redrawing the composition in their own way. Sam heard the song and drew attention to the way Presley performed, which did not fit into any known style.
They recorded the track and Phillips gave it to several local DJs the next day. They put That’s All Right on the air, after which listeners bombarded radio stations with letters asking them to play it again.
Of course, Sam Phillips decided to release the song as a single. An LP with a cover version of Blue Moon of Kentucky on the back was released on June 19, 1954. It has sold about twenty thousand copies. This was not enough to get on the national chart, but the track reached the fourth place in the local hit parade.
In 2004, on the fiftieth anniversary of the song, it was re-released as a single. At that time, she climbed to the fourth line of the British charts.
Rolling Stone later included That’s All Right in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Cover versions of That’s All Right
In 1955, Marty Robbins performed That’s All Right in a country style. His version reached number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
On July 2, 1963, The Beatles recorded That’s All Right for the Beatles’ Pop Go radio show. The track was officially presented to the public only in 1994, when it was played on Live at the BBC.
In 1988, Paul McCartney re-recorded That’s All Right for the album AGAIN IN THE USSR.
The song, performed by George Harrison, closes his documentary The Movie Life of George.
Interesting Facts
- Scotty Moore recalled that after recording the song, Bill Black said, “Damn. Take it to the radio and we’ll be kicked out of town.”
- When Elvis Presley found out that the song would be played on WHBQ radio, he got very excited and went to the cinema to calm his nerves.
- Although the Sun label credited Arthur Crudup as the songwriter, it is said that he did not receive any royalties. The court decided to pay him sixty thousand, but the musician did not wait for the money.
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Well, that’s all right, mama
That’s all right for you
That’s all right mama, just anyway you do
Well, that’s all right, that’s all right
That’s all right now mama, anyway you do
Mama she done told me
Papa done told me too
‘Son, that gal your foolin’ with
She ain’t no good for you
But that’s all right, that’s all right
That’s all right now mama, anyway you do
I’m leaving town, baby
I’m leaving town for sure
Well, then you won’t be bothered with
Me hanging around your door
Well, that’s all right, that’s all right
That’s all right now mama, anyway you do
Lyrics: ARTHUR CRUDUP
Warner/Chappell Music Inc.
Elvis Presley Lyrics That’s All Right
It’s all right, mom
You’re all right
It’s all right, mom, whatever you do.
It’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right now, mom, whatever you do.
Mom told me
And my dad also said:
“Son, the girl you’re hanging around with
Not good for you.”
But it’s all right, it’s all right
It’s all right now, mom, whatever you do.
I’m out of town baby
I’m definitely leaving.
Then I won’t bother you
Hanging under your door.
It’s all right, it’s all right
It’s okay, mom, whatever you do.
Song Quotes
That’s All Right, Mama was Presley’s first truly rock record.
Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music
Recorded in a shockingly fast, energetic, new style, the single was the place where black and country music collided and became rock and roll.
Rolling stone
I said if I ever got to where I could feel what Arthur felt, I would be a musician that no one had seen before.
Rolling stone
