Elvis Stuck On You: Recording the King’s Post-Army Hit

Elvis Presley’s return from military service in 1960 marked a pivotal moment in music history. Fans eagerly awaited new material from the King of Rock and Roll. The anticipation culminated in the release of his first post-army single, “Stuck On You,” a song that quickly soared to the top of the charts and reaffirmed his status as a musical phenomenon. This track, coupled with the B-side “Fame and Fortune,” was swiftly recorded and released to meet the immense demand, setting the stage for one of the most successful periods of his career. The recording sessions that produced stuck on you by elvis presley were significant, not just for the hit songs they yielded, but also for the evolution of Elvis’s sound and recording techniques.

You can shake an apple off an apple tree
Shake-a, shake- sugar,
But you’ll never shake me
Uh-uh-uh
No-sir-ee, uh, uh
I’m gonna stick like glue,
Stick because I’m Stuck on you

Gonna run my fingers thru your long black hair
Squeeze you tighter than a grizzly bear
Uh-uh-uh,
Yes-sir-ee, uh, uh
I’m gonna stick like glue
Stick, because I’m Stuck on you

Hide in the kitchen, hide in the hall
Ain’t gonna do you no good at all
‘Cause once I catch ya and the kissin’ starts
A team o’ wild horses couldn’t tear us apart

Try to take a tiger from his daddy’s side
That’s how love is gonna keep us tied
Uh-uh-uh
Yes-sir-ee, uh,uh
I’m gonna stick like glue
Stick, because I’m Stuck on you

Words & Music by Aaron Schroeder / J. Leslie McFarland

The Historic Recording Sessions

The recording of “Stuck On You” took place on March 20, 1960. At noon on this day, Elvis, along with his entourage and key musicians including Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, traveled by charted bus to RCA’s Studio B in Nashville. This studio had recently upgraded its facilities with a three-track recording machine, allowing Elvis to record in true stereo for the first time. They were joined by the musicians from his June 1958 session, The Jordanaires, Colonel Parker, and RCA’s new chief studio engineer, Bill Porter.

During this initial session on March 20th, Elvis recorded six songs. Elvis Presley stuck on you and “Fame And Fortune” were prioritized and recorded with urgency, pressed and shipped within just two days to be released as a highly anticipated new single. The remaining songs from these sessions would contribute to his upcoming album, with further recording dates scheduled for April.

March 20, 1960 RCA – Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee

• Make Me Know It L2WB 0081-19
• Soldier Boy L2WB 0082-15

March 21, 1960 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee

• Stuck On You L2WB 0083-03
• Fame & Fortune L2WB 0084-sp
• A Mess Of Blues L2WB 0085-05
• It Feels So Right L2WB 0086-05

“Welcome Home Elvis” with Frank Sinatra

Just days after the initial recording session, on March 26th, “The Frank Sinatra-Timex Special,” also known as “Welcome Home Elvis,” was taped at 6:15 pm. The special was scheduled to air later on May 12th. Colonel Parker had arranged this appearance months prior to Elvis’s release from active duty, aiming to present Elvis to a broader audience—adults and pop music enthusiasts, in addition to his existing base of teenagers and country-western fans.

Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley together for the 1960 TV special Welcome Home Elvis

To ensure Elvis made a significant impact, Parker strategically packed the studio audience with 400 members from one of Elvis’s largest fan clubs. The special featured performances by Elvis, including Elvis Stuck On You live versions of some of his new hits and a memorable duet with Frank Sinatra.

The Frank Sinatra Timex Special – Welcome Home Elvis

Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami – 26.03.1960
Nelson Riddle Orchestra – Screening – May 12, 1960

• Fame And Fortune
• Stuck On You
• Love Me Tender / Witchcraft (Duet Elvis and Sinatra)

Continued Studio Work in April 1960

Two weeks after the initial March sessions, Elvis returned to Nashville by charted bus on April 3rd for more recording. The same core group of musicians was present, joined this time by saxophonist Boots Randolph. These sessions proved highly productive, yielding several tracks that would become iconic.

April 3, 1960 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee

• Fever L2WB 0098-04
• Like A Baby L2WB 0099-06
• It’s Now Or Never L2WB 0100-sp

April 4, 1960 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee

• The Girl Of My Best Friend L2WB 0101-10
• Dirty Dirty Feeling L2WB 0102-04
• Thrill Of Your Love L2WB 0103-03
• I Gotta Know L2WB 0104-02
• Such A Night L2WB 0105-05
• Are You Lonesome Tonight? L2WB 0106-05
• Are You Lonesome Tonight? (work Part) ____-02
• Are You Lonesome Tonight? (composite) L2WB 0106-sp
• The Girl Next Door Went A’ Walking L2WB 0107-04
• I Will Be Home Again L2WB 0108-04
• Reconsider Baby L2WB 0109-02

April 5, 1960 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee

• It’s Now Or Never (overdub) L2WB 0100

The Release of “Elvis Is Back”

The pace of releases following Elvis’s return was rapid. Just four days after the April sessions concluded, on April 8th, the LP “Elvis Is Back” was shipped. RCA had prepared the gatefold album cover featuring army snapshots in advance, adding a sticker to the front cover listing the subsequently recorded song titles.

Cover art for the Elvis Is Back LP released in 1960 featuring songs like Stuck On You

“Elvis Is Back” is widely considered a peak in Elvis’s recording career. His post-army maturity and newfound confidence were evident, resulting in a focused and controlled musical output. Similar to his pre-army work, the album presented an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from a sentimental duet like “I Will Be Home Again” with Charlie Hodge to the gritty blues of “Reconsider Baby” featuring Boots Randolph’s sax solo. This ability to unify diverse styles led to an innovative and highly successful album, which reached number 2 on the charts. Notably, not all songs recorded in Nashville were included on the album; RCA held back acclaimed ballads like “It’s Now or Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” for later single releases, along with the follow-up “Surrender.” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” in particular showcased a departure from his earlier musical style.

Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD

The “Tupelo’s Own Elvis Presley DVD” offers a rare glimpse into Elvis’s early career. It features recently discovered, unreleased film footage of Elvis performing six songs live in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1956, including “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” This DVD is significant as it presents what is described as the first known Elvis Presley concert from the 1950s with sound. The footage includes a live performance of the previously elusive “Long Tall Sally,” seen for the first time. The release also includes bonus DVD audio.

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD featuring unreleased 1956 concert footage

The DVD also features parade footage providing historical context with both color and black-and-white film. Interviews with Elvis’s parents are also included. The afternoon show footage captures Elvis in his prime, performing energetically in front of 11,000 people. It is highly recommended for fans seeking to see Elvis’s early performances with accompanying sound.

Conclusion

The period immediately following Elvis Presley’s return from the army in 1960 was a whirlwind of creative activity and commercial success, spearheaded by the timely release of the single “Stuck On You.” The Nashville recording sessions documented here highlight Elvis’s readiness to evolve as an artist, incorporating new techniques like stereo recording and showcasing a wider range of musical styles. From chart-topping singles to critically acclaimed albums and groundbreaking television appearances, this era solidified Elvis’s enduring legacy and demonstrated his unparalleled ability to captivate audiences and shape the landscape of popular music. “Stuck On You” remains a classic testament to the King’s triumphant comeback.