ELVIS PRESLEY Are You Lonesome Tonight (1972). 4 K

Written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926 It was recorded several times in 1927first by Charles Hart, with successful versions by Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the duet of Jerry Macy and John Ryan. In 1950 the Blue Barron Orchestra version reached the top twenty on the Billboard s Pop Singles chart. In April 1960, after Elvis Presley s twoyear service in the United States Army, he recorded the song at the suggestion of manager Colonel Tom Parker; Are You Lonesome Tonight was Parker s wife, Marie Mott s, favorite song. Its release was delayed by RCA Victor executives, who thought the song did not fit Presley s new (and publicized) style. When Are You Lonesome Tonight was released in November 1960 it was an immediate success in the U. S., topping Billboard s Pop Singles chart and reaching number three on the R B chart. A month after the song s release, it topped the UK Singles Chart. Presley s version was certified by the Recording