The song was recorded at
Sun Studio on July 11, 1955, by Elvis Presley,
Scotty Moore,
Bill Black, and Johnny Bernero on drums, and released on August 20, 1955, along with "
Mystery Train" (Sun 223). It was first re-released along with "Mystery Train" by HMV in New Zealand in November 1955, the first appearance of Elvis Presley on 12” vinyl internationally (MCLP 6001). It was re-released by RCA Victor (#47-6357) in December, 1955, after Elvis switched to that label. Scotty Moore's guitar had a Nashville steel guitar sound, and Bill Black played a clip-clop rhythm. Elvis sang a brooding vocal. This is the closest the trio came to a traditional country song while at Sun. The song reached the
Billboard national
country music chart No. 1 position on February 25, 1956, on the
Billboard C&W Best Sellers in Stores chart, and remained there at No. 1 for 2 weeks, and spent 5 weeks at No. 1 on the
Billboard C&W Most Played in Juke Boxes chart. The record reached No. 4 on the
Billboard Most Played by Jockeys chart. It was the first recording to make Elvis Presley a nationally known country music star. The single reached No. 2 on the
Cash Box Country singles chart on the March 10, 1956 Top 15 Country Best Sellers Chart. The flip side of this release, "
Mystery Train", peaked at the No. 11 position on the national
Billboard Country Chart. ==The Beatles version==