Introduction
“Mean Woman Blues” is a rock and roll song penned by songwriter Claude Demetrius. Elvis Presley recorded the track on January 13, 1957, at radio Recorders studio in Hollywood, California, for the soundtrack of his second film, “Loving You,” released later that year.
In “Loving You,” Presley portrays Deke Rivers, a young musicial on the rise. The film features a memorable scene where Rivers, challenged by a local tough in a bar, performs “Mean Woman Blues” accompanied by a jukebox, showcasing Presley’s charisma and musical talent.
The song was included in the “Loving You” soundtrack album , released on June 20, 1957. It also appeared on the EP “Loving You Vol. II” and, in Canada, was released as a single.
“Mean Woman Blues” received positive critical acclaim. AllMusic’s Bruce Eder described it as “some powerful rock & roll … which could almost have passed for one of his Sun tracks.”
The song also achieved commercial success, reaching number 11 on Billboard’s “Most Played in Jukeboxes” R&B chart in 1957.
The song’s influence extended beyond Presley’s rendition. In September 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis released his own version, and in 1963, Roy Orbison’s rendition reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
“Mean Woman Blues” remains a testament to Elvis Presley’s impact on rock and roll, highlighting his ability to infuse energy and emotion into his performances.