Introduction
“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” is a poignant ballad penned in 1926 by vaudeville artists Lou Handman and Roy Turk. The song’s composition features three verses followed by a spoken bridge, with lyrics that reference Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and themes from Leoncavallo’s opera “Pagliacci.”
The earliest recordings emerged in 1927, notably by artists such as Charles Hart, Vaughn De Leath, and Henry Burr. In 1950, the Blue Barron Orchestra’s rendition achieved significant popularity, reaching the top twenty on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart.
Elvis Presley, following his return from military service in 1960, was encouraged by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to record the song—reportedly a favorite of Parker’s wife, Marie Mott. Presley’s rendition, distinguished by his emotive vocals and the inclusion of the spoken bridge, was recorded during a late-night session on April 4, 1960. Despite initial reservations from RCA Victor executives about its alignment with Presley’s evolving style, the single was released on November 1, 1960.
The release met with immediate acclaim, ascending to the top of Billboard’s Pop Singles chart and securing the number three spot on the R&B chart. Internationally, it mirrored this success by topping the UK Singles Chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Presley’s version as a Gold Record in 1983, acknowledging over a million copies sold in the United States, and later upgraded it to 2× Platinum in 1992.
Presley’s interpretation of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” has since become emblematic, inspiring numerous artists to produce their own versions. Notably, Donny Osmond and Merle Haggard each achieved top-twenty hits on the pop and country charts, respectively, with their covers. In 2008, Billboard honored the song by placing it at number 81 on its “Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs” list, underscoring its enduring resonance in popular music history.