Elvis Presley often took obscure songs previously recorded by other musicians and turned them into major hits. In most cases, previous versions of compositions were not of interest to a wide audience. Often even the names of the authors and the first performers were known only to the most inquisitive music lovers.
Approximately this was the fate of the song Suspicious Minds, which became one of the last lifetime masterpieces of the “King of Rock and Roll”.
History and Meaning of Suspicious Minds
The words and music of the work were written by American songwriter Mark James, the author of several other Elvis hits.
Late one night, James was playing a Fender guitar, experimenting with a Hammond effects pedal on the bass line. Unexpectedly for himself, he composed a catchy melody, which, in his opinion, could hook listeners.
Then Mark was already married, but he could not forget the girl he was in love with during his school years. The wife guessed about the feelings of her husband and was not delighted with them. Of course, this did not affect their relationship in the best way. At times, it seemed to James that they had fallen into a trap from which they could not get out. He expressed his emotions in the words of the song Suspicious Minds.
Mark James recorded the composition under the direction of producer Chips Moman (Chips Moman). The song was released as a single on Scepter Records, but the company did not have money to promote little-known artists, so the track did not hit the charts.
Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley
Elvis got the composition thanks to Don Crews, with whom Chips Moman collaborated. Don told James that Presley had rented their studio to record a new album. Mark asked Crews to offer the “King” Suspicious Minds. After listening to the track, Elvis immediately decided that he could turn it into a hit.
Presley recorded it on January 23, 1969 at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
James was going to be present in the studio, but Elvis was embarrassed to sing in the presence of the composer. However, James recalled that later Presley was always glad to see Mark:
In later years, when I saw Elvis, he would come across the room to me only to say hello to whoever he was with. When he died, I was told that after the recording of Suspicious Minds, he always asked the guys in the studio: “Mark did not send me any more songs?”. God, sorry, I didn’t know that.
Anatomy of a song
Presley first sang Suspicious Minds on July 31, 1969 at the Las Vegas International Hotel, later renamed the Hilton. Soon his version was released on the disc, after which the song topped the Billboard Hot 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb0Jmy-JYbA
In August, Suspicious Minds released a single with the track You’ll Think of Me. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and also climbed to the top of the charts in Australia, Belgium, Canada and South Africa.
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine included it in the list of the five hundred greatest musical compositions of all time.
Check out the music video for Suspicious Minds, posted on the Elvis Presley channel in 2010.
Cover versions
Dozens of famous artists have sung Suspicious Minds over the years. Let’s take a look at a few memorable stories.
Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne Warwick’s sister, performed Suspicious Minds when Elvis’ song hadn’t left the charts. Her version also charted, peaking at number twenty-four on Billboard R&B.
In 1970, the version by Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter stopped at number twenty-fifth on the Billboard country chart. In 1976, the track was released again, after which it climbed to number two. The song was nominated for a Grammy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l8ewDQUNRs
Ronnie McDowell recorded Suspicious Minds for the soundtrack of the 1979 movie Elvis. Recall that the “King” in the film was played by Kurt Russell (Kurt Russell).
In 1986, Fine Young Cannibals’ Suspicious Minds peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. Vocalist Roland Gift (Roland Gift) said that Elvis Presley appeared to him in a dream and predicted that he would perform the greatest version of the song of all time. A clip was shot for the track.
Interesting Facts
- Session guitarist Reggie Young played on Suspicious Minds for both James and Elvis.
- The song has appeared on the soundtracks of several films, including Breathless, Lili & Stitch and Blade Runner 2049.
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley Lyrics
We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can’t you see
What are you doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?
chorus:
We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds
So if an old friend I know
Stop by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?
Here we go again
Asking where I’ve been
You can’t see the tears are real
I’m crying
Chorus
Oh let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Let’s don’t let a good thing die
When, honey, you know
I’ve never lied to you
Version 1
Don’t you know I’m caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Elvis Presley Lyrics Suspicious Minds
We’ve fallen into a trap
I can’t get out
‘Cause I love you too much, baby
Do not you see,
What are you doing with me,
When you don’t believe a single word I say?
Chorus:
We can no longer be together
Suspicious of each other.
And we can’t make our dreams come true
Suspicious of each other.
If an old friend
Stop to say hello
Will I see the suspicion in your eyes again?
Eternal history!
You’re asking where I’ve been.
Can’t you see my tears are real
I’m crying.
Chorus
Oh let our love survive
And wipe the tears from your eyes.
Don’t let all the good things go.
‘Cause baby you know
I never lied to you.
Verse 1
Can’t you see I’m trapped
And I can’t get out
‘Cause I love you too much, baby
