"Suspicious Minds" is a 1968 song written and first recorded by the American songwriter Mark James. After this recording did not sell well, Elvis Presley recorded the song with producer Chips Moman. Presley's version reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, his 18th and last number one single on the Billboard pop chart. In 1999, Presley's RCA Victor Records version was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Song
The song describes a troubled relationship where the characters struggle with distrust and must resolve their problems to keep the relationship alive. It was written in 1968 by Mark James, who also co-wrote "Always on My Mind" (a song later recorded by Elvis Presley). Mark first recorded and released the song in 1968 on Scepter Records. Chips Moman invited Mark to Memphis to write songs for American Sound Studio. At the time, Mark lived in Houston and had already written three songs that became number one hits in the Southern United States. American Sound Studio was becoming well-known in the music industry because the Box Tops had recently recorded "The Letter" there. This led Mark to move to Memphis.
One night, Mark was experimenting with his Fender guitar and using the Hammond organ pedals to create a bass line. He came up with a melody he thought was catchy. At the time, Mark was married to his first wife, Shirley Yates, but he still had feelings for his childhood sweetheart, who was married in Houston. His wife suspected his feelings for someone else. Mark described the situation as confusing, with all three people involved unable to escape the situation. During the recording session, Mark sang the lead vocals, and the studio band supported him. Chips Moman produced the recording. Later, the horns, strings, and vocals of the Holladay Sisters were added. After the recording was mixed, Mark and Moman traveled to New York, where Mark’s manager had connections with Scepter Records. The label liked the song and released it, but they lacked the funds to promote new artists, so the song did not chart.
Later that year, Don Crews, Moman’s partner, told Mark that Elvis Presley had booked their studio to record what would become the From Elvis in Memphis album. Crews repeatedly asked Mark if he had songs that would suit Presley. Mark believed Presley needed a mature rock 'n' roll song to regain his popularity, as Tom Jones was a popular artist at the time. Crews and Mark considered "Suspicious Minds" and encouraged others to help Presley hear it. Although Mark’s version of the song had not been successful commercially, Presley listened to it and decided he could make it a hit.
Elvis Presley version
Elvis Presley had not recorded music in Memphis since 1955. His 1969 recordings at American Sound Studio happened because of his 1968 Comeback Special. Chips Moman, a producer, helped record these songs in Presley’s new style. Presley was returning to Memphis by recording rock, gospel, country, rhythm & blues, and soul music. Marty Lacker, a close friend of Elvis, suggested the song "Suspicious Minds" during the studio session. The recordings created the album From Elvis in Memphis.
The session for "Suspicious Minds" took place between 4 and 7 a.m. on January 23, 1969. James was in Memphis but did not attend the recording session. A few days earlier, he had visited the studio and noticed Presley seemed uncomfortable with his presence. James decided not to attend to avoid causing problems. After hearing the track the next day, he thought it was too slow. Later, when he heard the more detailed version, he was impressed. In later years, whenever Presley saw James, he would walk across the room to greet him.
The production of the song almost stopped because of a copyright dispute. Presley’s business team, Hill & Range, wanted half of Moman’s publishing rights. Moman accused them of stealing and threatened to stop the recording. Harry Jenkins of RCA agreed with Moman, believing the song would be a big hit and there would be enough money for everyone. Other songs recorded during the same session included "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)," "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," and "I'll Be There." On August 7, "Suspicious Minds" was overdubbed to stereo and mono in Las Vegas, where Bill Porter created the final version. The song’s rhythm changes in the bridge section, from 4/4 to 6/8, then back to 4/4. The instrumental arrangement includes electric guitar, bass guitar, organ, strings, trumpets, trombones, and drums. Parade magazine later called the recording one of the most innovative in Elvis’ career, noting the two time-signature changes, electric guitar, strings, horns, and backup choir.
RCA staff producer Felton Jarvis added a fade-out to the song starting at 3:36, lasting nearly 15 seconds, before fading back in. The first verse then repeats until the song fades out completely at 4:22. In a 2012 interview, Moman said Jarvis disliked Presley recording at American Sound Studio, calling it a "control thing." Jarvis added the fade-out, which Moman called a "scar" on the song. However, the song was released and helped Presley return to the top of the charts.
Future Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux sang backing vocals on the track.
"Suspicious Minds" helped Presley regain his chart success in the U.S. after his 1968 Comeback Special. It was his 14th and final Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single in the United States. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Session guitarist Reggie Young played on both the James and Presley versions of the song.
The song was later included on the legacy edition of From Elvis in Memphis and the Follow That Dream reissue of Back In Memphis.
Sourced from Keith Flynn.
Musicians:
– Elvis Presley – lead and harmony vocals; guitar (uncertain)
– Reggie Young – guitar
– Mike Leech – bass
– Bobby Wood – piano
– Bobby Emmons – organ
– Gene Chrisman – drums
– Art Vasquez, Norman Prentice, Bobby Shew – trumpets
– Archie LeCoque, Johnny Boice – trombones
– Kenneth Adkins – bass trombone
– Glen Spreen – string and horn arrangements
– Donna Thatcher (Godchaux), Mary "Jeannie" Greene, Ginger Holladay, Mary Holladay – backing vocals
Presley first performed the song at the Las Vegas International Hotel (later renamed the Hilton) on July 31, 1969. The 45 rpm single was released 26 days later. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the week of November 1 and stayed there for one week. This was Presley’s final No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 before his death. "Burning Love" (1972) was No. 1 on the Cashbox chart, and "The Wonder Of You" (1970), "Way Down" (1977), and Junkie XL’s remix of "A Little Less Conversation" (2002) reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Reissues of previous chart-toppers also hit No. 1 in 2005.
Fine Young Cannibals version
In 1986, the band Fine Young Cannibals released a version of a song that included background singing by Jimmy Somerville. This version reached the eighth position on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for the song was filmed in black and white and is mostly shown in that style. However, color was added after the bridge section of the song. The video honors Elvis Presley by using a black and white style, which was common during his early career, and by featuring shiny, sparkly suits worn by the band in the second half of the video.
Dwight Yoakam version
In 1992, country singer Dwight Yoakam recorded a song for the movie Honeymoon in Vegas and created a music video for it. The song was later included on his 2004 compilation album titled The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam.
Gareth Gates version
Gareth Gates, the runner-up of the first season of the ITV talent show Pop Idol, released a cover of the song "Suspicious Minds" on BMG Records on September 23, 2002. The single includes two songs: a cover of "Suspicious Minds" and a cover of The Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road," performed with Pop Idol season one winner Will Young. The single reached the top of the UK Singles Chart and remained there for two weeks. The music video shows Gareth Gates changing colors, switching between black and white on a white background, while scenes from the 2002 movie Lilo & Stitch are displayed.
Warwick, Jennings and Staton versions
Dee Dee Warwick, the sister of Dionne Warwick, recorded a version of "Suspicious Minds" in 1970. Her version reached number 80 on the US pop charts in 1970 and reached number 24 on the Billboard R&B chart on May 8, 1971.
Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter recorded the song for RCA Records in 1970. Their version reached number 25 on the Billboard Country chart in November 1970. In 1976, RCA Records re-released their version, which reached number 2 on the charts. This version was included on the album Wanted! The Outlaws in 1976. Their recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards.
Candi Staton recorded a new version of the song in 1982, which reached number 31 on the UK charts.