Song of the day – Heartbreak Hotel

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Stella

Elvis Presley,  born January 8, 1935. Today would be his 88th birthday. In his honor, here is his first #1 hit record, from 1956:

“Heartbreak Hotel” was written in 1955 by Mae Boren Axton — mother of singer/songwriter Hoyt Axton — and Tommy Durden, inspired by a newspaper story about a man who’d committed suicide and left a note that read, “I walk a lonely street.”

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1 Response to Song of the day – Heartbreak Hotel

  1. Lucille says:
    January 8, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    Never heard the suicide story before of how “Heartbreak Hotel” came to be…”I walk a lonely street.”

    In 1956 we started hearing Elvis’ songs played at our school sock hops. “Blue Suede Shoes” was probably the favorite. “Heartbreak Hotel” was danceable but only the more dramatic souls could relate to the words. I mean, we were 14 and thought we were grown up, but feeling so lonely we could die…not really.

    “Blue Suede Shoes” does mention liquor which alarmed the school administration but Elvis fever eventually won out. “Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready now go, cat, go”

    Liked by 1 person

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