Classic Pop Icons

Elvis Presley’s very first single, “That’s All Right,” is this week’s song of the week. This is one of the most important songs ever recorded. Nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley, with sidemen Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass), were on a break during a studio session when they began improvising on an old blues song by Arthur Crudup. Producer Sam Phillips was amazed by what he heard and asked them to back up and try it again. The result was a new and unique sound which became known as rockabilly.

Rockabilly is best described as a hybrid of R&B, country and gospel. There’s a very tired argument which asserts that artists such as Elvis just copied black artists and had very little creative input themselves, but a close listen to his early records makes a mockery of that assertion. There’s a reason that Elvis’ “That’s All Right” caused such a stir when played on the radio for the first time – people had never heard anything quite like it!

“That’s All Right” was released in July 1954, with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” on the B-side.

Authorship

“That’s All Right” was composed and originally released by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup in 1946 as “That’s All Right, Mama.”

Chart performance

Although causing a huge local stir and kick starting Elvis’ career, Elvis was obviously unknown when “That’s All Right” was released and it was only a regional hit. It has since appeared on various albums that have charted though. The best way to get it now is on the great sounding “Elvis at Sun” release from 2004.

Covers

Although Elvis’ version is actually a cover, it’s his version that subsequent artists are invariably inspired by for their covers and his version that has become the definitive cut.

“That’s All Right” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including some of the most important and successful in the history of popular music. Here’s some examples.

Marty Robbins – “That’s All Right”

The first cover inspired by Elvis’ version came from Marty Robbins in December 1954. The tempo and basic arrangement is taken from Elvis’ recording, but Robbins’ version has a more country feel.

Robbin’s “You Gave Me a Mountain” became a staple of Elvis’ live act in the 1970s.

The Beatles – “That’s All Right”

The Beatles covered “That’s All Right” at one of many appearances on BBC Radio in the early 60s, with Paul McCartney on lead vocals. The band stays pretty close to the original.

This was one of several Elvis numbers performed by the Beatles at the BBC, including another Sun Records’ classic “Forgot to Remember to Forget.”

Paul McCartney would go on to record a solo version of the song in 2002 for the tribute album “Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy Of Sun Records.”

Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan – “That’s All Right”

Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan didn’t stray far from Elvis’ arrangement in their cover of “That’s All Right,” recorded at the “Nashville Skyline” sessions in 1969.

Eric Clapton and Scotty Moore – “That’s All Right”

In 2005, a group of musicians gathered in London to pay tribute to Elvis and his original guitarist, Scotty Moore. One of the highlights was when Eric Clapton and Scotty Moore played “That’s All Right.”

Carl Perkins – “That’s All Right”

Carl Perkins sang a great version of “That’s All Right” during a UK television special in 1987. He was one of an all-star cast who had assembled to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Elvis’ death.

There will be a new Song of the Week on June 15.