The Wonder of You (1970) 5/22/20

Here's a Great Story...about a “Great Song of the '70s!”

In 1959, Ray Peterson took a song called “The Wonder of You” to #25 on Billboard's Hot 100.

During the '60s, several other artists took a crack at it, with ZERO success.

But then in 1969, Ray's phone rang...and at the other end was Elvis Presley. Ray was shocked. Elvis asked if it was okay if he recorded the song for his next album and single. Ray said, “Good heavens, you don't have to ask! You're Elvis Presley!”

Elvis replied, “Yes I do. You're Ray Peterson!”

Needless to say, permission was granted, and in early 1970, Elvis recorded the song live during a concert in Las Vegas.

A few months later, “The Wonder of You” spent 6 weeks at the top of the charts in the UK. In the US, it spent a week at #1 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart, and peaked at #9 on the Hot 100.

Elvis liked the song so much, he sang it at every concert for the rest of his life! If Elvis thought it was a “Great Song of the '70s,” who am I to argue? :)

And just for fun, here's Ray Peterson's original version: