Tag: Wear My Ring Around Your Neck

Tune Tuesday

It was on this day in 1958 that Elvis Presley joined the US Army.

Elvis had been in the RCA recording studio in Nashville on February 1, 1958. It was on that day that he would record Wear My Ring Around Your Neck. This would be the final recording session before he entered the service.

The song was written by Bert Carroll and Russell Moody. What is unique about the song is that it was particularly notable for breaking a string of ten consecutive number 1 hits that Elvis achieved in just two years. Although it was Presley’s sixth number-one hit in the American R&B charts, it only peaked at number 2 on the American pop charts.

In June of 1958, while on his first army leave (furlough), Elvis recorded five songs: “I Need Your Love Tonight,” “A Big Hunk O’ Love,” “Ain’t That Loving You Baby,” “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I,” and “I Got Stung”. This was his final session until March 1960, when he was discharged.

While in the army, RCA continued to release songs that Elvis has already recorded.

Movie Music Monday – Honeymoon in Vegas

Last Thursday would have been Elvis Presley’s 91st birthday. Believe it or not, that’s not why I picked today’s movie – Honeymoon in Vegas. I actually chose it because the soundtrack is loaded with some great Elvis cover songs.

Take a look at the talented folks who contributed to the album! Offering up their versions of Elvis tunes are Billy Joel, Amy Grant, Bono, Travis Tritt, John Mellencamp and today’s birthday boy Ricky Van Shelton.

I first heard Ricky when I worked at my first country station. He had plenty of hits, but many of them were cover songs. He covered Statue of a Fool, From a Jack To a King, and He’s Got You. For the Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack, he covers “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck.”

The song was written by Bert Carroll and Russell Moody. It was recorded and released by Elvis in 1958 and only made it to #2 on the pop chart. Prior to this song, Elvis had a string of 10 consecutive #1 songs. Wear My Ring broke the streak.

Ricky’s version of the song was the first single release from the soundtrack. It didn’t do as well as Elvis’, but it did reach #26 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

In May 2006, he announced that he would be retiring from touring to spend more time with his family. Since then, Shelton has been sort of a recluse. He has almost disappeared from public life. He does keep busy, however, focusing on painting and writing children’s books.

I hope he is enjoying his retirement and that he has a very Happy 74th Birthday!