The album tracks start with "Make Me Know It", the first recording of Elvis since June 10, 1958. The narrator askes his girl for a proof of her love, because actions speak louder than words. The king and his crew needed 19 takes to record the song by Otis Blackwell, but the result was perfect.

This one was also written by Otis Blackwell. Because he was tied to another publisher, he used the alias "John Davenport". Eddie Cooley was credited, because the basic concept of "Fever" was his. The song was first recorded by Little Willie John, who scored a number one with it on Billboard's "R&B Best Seller Chart" in 1956. Two years later Peggy Lee released a differently arranged version, the song was also covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Madonna and Beyonce' Knowles. Elvis taped "Fever" on April 3, 1960 within four takes. He basically copied the version of Peggy Lee, but he performs the song so sexy and cool, that his recording is the definite one. The track was re-released on the album "Pure Gold" (1975), a live version can be found on the double album "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" (1973).

In 1959 Charlie Blackwell released "The Girl Of My Best Friend" on the b-side of his single "Choppin' Mountains", two years later Ral Donner scored a top 20 hit with the ballad. Elvis recorded it on April 4, 1960 and needed ten takes to get it right. The narrator is in love with the girl of his best friend and fears to loose them both if he reveals his feelings. Compared to the original version the king's performance sounds more smooth. It's quite obvious how much he had improved since the 1950s. The song was written by Beverly Ross and Sam Bobrick. In 1976 RCA released "The Girl Of My Best Friend" on a single and provided Elvis with another top 10 hit in Great Britain.

During their days in the US Army Elvis and Charlie Hodge had sung "I Will Be Home Again" quite often. On April 3, 1960 they recorded the song professionally and needed four takes to do so. Mr. Hodge had been a member of the Foggy River Boys and performed with stars like Red Foley and Gene Autry. I like the king's first duet recording very much. "I Will Be Home Again" was written by Bennie Benjamin, Raymond Leveen and Lou Singer and was first recorded by The Golden Gate Quartet. 

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had written the song for the movie "King Creole", but at the time it was refused. Elvis finally recorded the song on April 4, 1960 and selected the 4th attempt for release. The singer discovers that his girlfriend is gone and vows to bring her back - at any cost. "Dirty Dirty Feeling" offers a rockin' melody and funny lyrics. In 1965 the recording was used for the movie "Tickle Me" and also appeared on the soundtrack ep.

The ballad with a touch of gospel was written by Stan Kesler and recorded in 1958 by Carl McVoy under the name of "A Woman's Love". Because the recording was released in 2002 (and therefore 25 years after the king's demise), it's not known if McVoy's performance was used as a demo or if Elvis knew the recording at all. However, he taped his version on April 4, 1960 within three takes and delivered one of the highlights of this album. 

"Soldier Boy" was the second song of the comeback-session on March 20th and the first ballad Elvis recorded since two years. In the past this kind of music hadn't been his key competence, but his performance made clear, that he had improved a lot. The song fits "Elvis Is Back!" like a glove, because the singer ensures a lovesick army buddy, that his girl will be waiting for him. The original was released by The Four Fellows in 1955, the writers are David Jones and Theodore Williams jr. It is said that Elvis decided to record "Soldier Boy" while he was on duty in Germany and the 15 takes certainly prove, that he was serious about the song.

Elvis was a huge fan of Clyde McPhatter and so he recorded his r&b hit "Such A Night" on April 4, 1960. The 5th take became the master. In 1964 RCA Victor re-released the track on a single and provided the king with another top 20 hit. Twelve years later the takes 2 and 3 of "Such A Night" were issued on the album "A Legendary Performer - Volume 2". Elvis didn't stray all that much from McPhatter's performance, but his (Elvis') version sounds more relaxed and the balance between a suggestive undertone and humorous exaggeration worked out better.

The bluesy "It Feels So Right" was written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman and recorded by Elvis on March 21, 1960 within five takes. The king worked himself up into the song and delivered one of his classic performances. In 1965 "It Feels So Right" also appeared in the movie "Tickle Me" and was re-released on the b-side of "(Such An) Easy Question".

Elvis recorded the song as a friendly gesture to Scotty Moore, whose buddy Thomas Wayne had written it together with Bill Rise. Unfortunately Wayne's single was released in May 1960, which caused the impression that he had covered a Presley song. The king recorded "The Girl Next Door Went A-Walking" on April 3, 1960 and needed four takes to do so. I like this popsong very much, especially the interaction between Elvis and The Jordanaires.

Vikki Nelson had recorded this song by Jesse Stone in 1957 and there was also another version by Tony Arden. Elvis recorded "Like A Baby" on April 3, 1960 and approved the 6th take for release. The king almost seems to loose himself in this edgy r&b song and delivers one of his best blues performances ever. Great, great stuff!

The same applies to "Reconsider Baby". It was the final song of the "Elvis Is Back!" sessions and everyone was running at full throttle. Elvis really feels the song and Homer Randolph surpasses himself with his dirty saxophone sounds. The track was recorded on April 4, 1960 within two takes and belongst to my all time favorites.

Before the album hit the stores, RCA Victor released "Stuck On You" / "Fame And Fortune". As expected it became a number one hit and sold 3.5 million units.The song on the a-side was written by Aaron Schroeder and Leslie McFarland and was recorded by Elvis on March 20, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee within just three takes. RCA Victor later re-released the track on the longplayer "Elvis' Golden Records - Volume 3" (1963) and the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Compared to his previous recordings the king sounded much different. His voice was softer, had matured and his technique obviously had improved. The brand new Stereo sound only added to these qualities. Elvis himself is said to have disliked "Stuck On You" and calling it "Stuck IN You". I don't know if this is true or not, his performance is nothing but great.

The ballad was also recorded on March 20, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee, but the master had to be spliced of the takes number 14 and 15. It was written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, who later also would write a lot of movie songs for Elvis. "Fame And Fortune" displayed the king's growth as a singer even to a larger degree than "Stuck On You". In the 1950s Elvis' performances of ballads were often mediocre. You always know what he wants to do, but he simply lacked the technique to get it right. In 1960 he finally had learned how to use his voice properly and all of a sudden he seemed to know every trick in the book. "Fame And Fortune" is a great song and it's performed very well. RCA Victor re-released it on the album "Elvis' Golden Records - Volume 3" (1963) and on the boxed set "The Other Sides - Worldwide Gold Award Hits Volume 2" (1971).

With "It's Now Or Never" / "A Mess Of Blues" the king delivered his masterpiece. While "Don't Be Cruel" / "Hound Dog" had become the best selling single of the 1950s, this one turned out to be the best selling single of the 1960s. With sales of 28 million copies it also became the king's best selling single release. In 1898 the Neapolitan singer and musician Eduardo Di Capua wrote "O Sole Mio" ("My Sun") and used the lyrics of the poet Giovanni Capurro. Even though the song became very popular, both parties died without any assets. At the time there were no royalties for writers and so the men sold the song for 25 lira to the publishing company of Ferdinando Bideri. Many years later the heirs of Emanuele Alfredo Mazzucci sued the publisher for royalties, because he had written down the notes of "O Sole Mio". Since they won the lawsuit they receive a whopping 250,000 USD per year. The first known recording of "O Sole Mio" was made in 1901 by Francisco Daddi. Eleven years later Elisabeth Spencer released an English version named "Your Own Dear Kiss". Elvis got to know the song in form of another English edition called "There's No Tomorrow". He wanted to record it, but because the melody by now was in public domain, Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold wrote new lyrics and legally created a new song, that could be published on its own. Elvis recorded it on April 3, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee. The master is a splice of the takes 4 and 2, on April 5th piano and percussion was added. RCA re-released "It's Now Or Never" on the extended player "Elvis By Request" (1961), on the albums "Elvis' Golden Records - Volume 3" (1963) and "A Legendary Performer - Volume 2" (1976) and the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Records - Volume 1" (1970). A live version can be found on "Elvis In Concert" (1977).

The uptempo song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and also could have been the a-side of a single. Elvis taped it within five takes on March 20, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee. RCA Victor later also released "A Mess Of Blues" on the longplayer "Elvis' Gold Records - Volume 4" and on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970).

The final single of 1960 was "Are You Lonesome Tonight" / "A Mess Of Blues". With retails of 6 million copies it's also one of Elvis' sales monsters. Of course it hit the number one spot, too. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" was written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman, the first recording was by Ned Jakobs in 1927. Elvis recorded his version on April 3, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee, the master is a splice of the takes 5 and 2. I like this ballad very much, the king performs it very well and his voice sounds nothing but marvellous. RCA later also released the track on the extended player "Elvis By Request" (1961), the long player "Elvis' Golden Records - Volume 3" (1963) and the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live performances can be heared on "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis" (1969), "A Legendary Performer" (1974) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977).

The uptempo popsong is a cover version, too, the original was released in 1959 by Cliff Richard. "I Gotta Know" was also recorded on April 3, 1960 at RCA Studio B in Nashville/Tennessee, but this time within two takes. It's a classy song, I especially like the interaction between the king and The Jordanaires. The song was also featured on "Elvis' Golden Records - Volume 3" (1963).