Guitar Man - Elvis Presley (1972-81) 4/25/21

I've mentioned a few times that Elvis Presley didn't write many songs, but he had an excellent ear for material, and how to make it sound like his own.

His manager, Colonel Parker would often take advantage of this by demanding the original artist give Elvis a songwriting credit in return for recording his or her tune. Sometimes it worked. Other times, it did not.

Take today's "Great Song of 1972" for example.

Elvis heard a country song he liked and went into the studio to record it. Unfortunately, he couldn't get the "sound" he wanted from his guitar, so he told his staff, "Get me that redneck picker who played on the original tune."

So they did.

That redneck picker was Jerry Reed, who had written and recorded the song back in 1967.

Jerry was on a fishing trip when The King came calling, but he dropped everything and rushed to the studio. A few takes later, the song was in the can.

That's when Colonel Tom stepped in and demanded co-writing credit. Jerry said, "Absolutely not." When pressed, Jerry threatened to walk out and refuse to let Elvis release the song at all. For once, the Colonel gave in!

A few months later, the song got stuck in the middle of the Hot 100 at #43...and it seemed that was the end of it.

Until 1981. Four years after Elvis passed away, RCA records decided to give the song another try. Using the original vocal track, the instrumentals were re-recorded (with Jerry) using up-to-date technology.

THIS time, the song went straight to #1 on the Country Charts in both the US and Canada--and became Elvis' last #1 on ANY chart.

Thanks to his keen ear, Jerry Reed, and RCA, Elvis had scored a "Great Song of '72 and (posthumously) in '81!"

Elvis (1981):

Elvis (1972):

Jerry Reed (1967):