Heartbreak Hotel

Willie Nelson

About Heartbreak Hotel

"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, with credit being given also to Presley. A newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man who jumped from a hotel window inspired the lyrics. Axton presented the song to Presley in November 1955 at a country music convention in Nashville. Presley agreed to record it, and did so on January 10, 1956, in a session with his band, The Blue Moon Boys, the guitarist Chet Atkins, and the pianist Floyd Cramer. "Heartbreak Hotel" comprises an eight-bar blues progression, with heavy reverberation throughout the track, to imitate the character of Presley's Sun recordings. The single topped Billboard's Top 100 chart for seven weeks, Cashbox's pop singles chart for six weeks, was No. 1 on the Country and Western chart for seventeen weeks and reached No. 3 on the R&B chart, becoming Presley's first million-seller, and one of the best-selling singles of 1956. "Heartbreak Hotel" achieved unheard feats as it reached the top 5 of Country and Western, pop, and Rhythm 'n' Blues charts simultaneously. It would eventually be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Presley had first performed "Heartbreak Hotel" during a live show in December 1955 during a tour of the Louisiana Hayride, but the song gained strong popularity after his appearance on Stage Show in March 1956. It became a staple of Presley's repertoire in live appearances, last performed by him on May 29, 1977, at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. 


Year:
1983
78 
#2

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Oh since my baby left me I've found new place to dwell
Down at the end on lonely street at heartbreak hotel
I get so lonely baby I get so lonely baby I get so lonely I could die
Although it's always crowded you can still find some room
For broken hearted lovers to cry away the gloom
I get so lonely baby I get so lonely baby I get so lonely I could die

Well the bellhop's tears keep flowing the desk clerk's dressed in black
They've been so long on lonely street they'll never never never get back
I get so lonely baby I get so lonely baby I get so lonely I could die
So if your baby leaves you, you got a tale to tell
Just take a walk down lonely street to heartbreak hotel
I get so lonely baby I get so lonely baby I get so lonely I could die

Oh since my baby left me I've found new place to dwell
Down at the end on lonely street at heartbreak hotel
I get so lonely baby I get so lonely baby I get so lonely I could die
I get so lonely I could die

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Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson (pronounced /wɪli nɛlsən /; born April 30, 1933) is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed at the end of the 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. more »

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Written by: Elvis Aaron Presley, Mae Boren Axton, Thomas R. Durden

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a hit song recorded and performed by Elvis Presley. It became Presley’s first number-one pop hit, marking a significant moment in his career.
Writing and Composition
The song was written by Mae Boren Axton, a school teacher who also happened to have some connections in the music industry, and Tommy Durden, a local singer-songwriter.
Release and Impact
Released in January 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" kick-started a year in which Presley would become a national superstar. The song reached the top of Billboard's Top 100 chart in April of the same year.
Elvis’ Performance
Elvis’ first televised performance of "Heartbreak Hotel" was on the 'Stage Show' program produced by the Dorsey Brothers on CBS, which increased the song's popularity.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who committed suicide, with his note stating he was going "down a lonely street" which inspired the song's famous line.
Chart Performance
"Heartbreak Hotel" spent a total of 27 weeks on the chart, and became the biggest selling single of 1956.
Connection to Leon Russell
Leon Russell, an American musician and songwriter who wrote many hits for other artists, has a connection to “Heartbreak Hotel.” He performed a blues-rock version of the song on his 1971 album, 'Leon Russell and the Shelter People.'
Willie Nelson’s Version
Country music icon Willie Nelson also recorded a version of "Heartbreak Hotel". His rendition can be found on his 1979 tribute album to Elvis Presley, "Willie Nelson Sings Elvis."
Cultural Impact
"Heartbreak Hotel" is arguably one of the most well-known rock ‘n' roll songs, and has been covered by a wide range of artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, Ann-Margret and Conway Twitty.
Induction into Halls of Fame
In 1995, Presley's original recording of "Heartbreak Hotel" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it’s also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

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