Introduction:
It’s important to differentiate between “Suspicion” and “Suspicious Minds,” as they are separate, distinct Elvis Presley songs. Here’s a breakdown of the history of “Suspicion”:
“Suspicion” History:
- Origins and Recording:
- “Suspicion” was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.
- Elvis Presley recorded the song on March 19, 1962, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.
- It was featured on his 1962 album “Pot Luck.”
- The Genre of this song is Pop.
- Initial Release and Impact:
- Initially, Elvis Presley’s version was not released as a single. It was an album track.
- However, the song gained significant attention when Terry Stafford, an Elvis sound-alike, recorded his own version in 1964.
- Terry Stafford’s version became a major hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Elvis Presley’s Single Release:
- In response to the popularity of Terry Stafford’s version, RCA Victor released Elvis Presley’s recording as a single in 1964, with “Kiss Me Quick” as the B-side.
- Although Elvis’s version was then released as a single, it did not achieve the same level of chart success in the United states as Terry Staffords version.
- However, Elvis’s version did chart in several European countries.
- In the UK it was released as a single in 1976, and reached number 9 in the charts.
- Key Points:
- The song is a testament to the songwriting prowess of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.
- Terry Stafford’s rendition brought the song widespread popularity.
- Elvis Presley’s original recording remains a beloved part of his catalog.
- The fact that the song was on the Pot Luck album is a key part of the songs history.
In essence, “Suspicion” has a complex history, with its journey to popular acclaim involving both Elvis Presley’s original recording and Terry Stafford’s successful cover.