Elvis Presley – Return To Sender

Introduction:

Return to Sender, a rock and roll ballad by the legendary Elvis Presley, was released in February 1962. The song quickly became a single from Presley’s studio album, Second To None. While not originally intended for the film Girls! Girls! Girls! , it ended up being featured briefly in the musical comedy, further propelling its popularity.

The song falls squarely within the genre of Rock and Roll, a genre that Elvis Presley himself is credited with pioneering in the 1950s. His energetic performances and charismatic stage presence, coupled with the genre’s signature rhythm and blues influences, helped to revolutionize popular music. Return to Sender showcases this signature style, blending a driving beat with Presley’s smooth vocals to create a song that is both catchy and emotionally resonant.

The songwriting credits for Return to Sender go to Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott. Blackwell was a prolific songwriter who penned many of Presley’s hits, including “Don’t Be Cruel” and “All Shook Up.” Scott, a lesser-known figure, co-wrote a handful of songs with Blackwell. While the exact inspiration behind the song is unknown, it perfectly captures the frustration and longing of a romantic relationship gone wrong.

Return to Sender was produced by a collaborative effort between Presley himself and Chet Atkins. Atkins, a legendary guitarist and record producer at RCA Records, played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Presley’s early career. Their working relationship resulted in numerous hit songs that continue to be influential today.

Return to Sender was a huge commercial success. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, demonstrating Presley’s enduring popularity with American audiences. However, the song’s reach extended far beyond the US. It climbed to the coveted number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in the United Kingdom, solidifying Presley’s status as a global rock and roll icon.

The song’s impact wasn’t limited to the charts. Return to Sender became a beloved classic within Presley’s extensive catalog. Its relatable theme of reconciliation after a lover’s quarrel continues to resonate with listeners today. Furthermore, the song serves as a testament to Presley’s mastery of performing a ballad. His smooth vocals and expressive delivery convey the emotions of the song with genuine vulnerability.

Return to Sender remains a popular choice for cover songs by other artists, a further indicator of its lasting influence. The song’s cultural impact reached new heights in 1993 when the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring Presley on what would have been his 58th birthday. This marked a singular achievement, showcasing how deeply intertwined Presley and his music had become with American pop culture.

Video:

Lyrics:

Return to sender
Return to sender

I gave a letter to the postman
He put it in his sack
Bright early next morning
He brought my letter back

Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
We had a quarrel, a lover’s spat
I write I’m sorry, but my letter keeps coming back

So then I dropped it in the mailbox
And sent it special D
Bright and early next morning
It came right back to me

Return to sender, address unknown
No such person, no such zone

This time I’m gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day then I’ll understand

Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone

Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender…