Introduction:
Elvis Presley’s 1958 single, “One Night,” stands as a significant marker on his meteoric rise to rock and roll stardom. While not his first recording, and initially met with reservations by his record company, the song’s journey to release and subsequent success encapsulates the changing landscape of music and Presley’s burgeoning influence.
The origin of “One Night” goes back to 1956 with R&B artist Smiley Lewis. Lewis’s version, titled “One Night of Sin,” contained suggestive lyrics that caught the attention of Presley, then a young singer gaining local fame in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley recorded his own rendition in early 1957, staying true to the original suggestive nature of the lyrics. However, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and record label, RCA Victor, expressed concerns about the song’s potential to harm Presley’s image.
Presley, determined to see the song released, reworked the lyrics, toning down the suggestive content to a more romantic plea. This revised version, titled simply “One Night,” received approval and was recorded in February 1957 with backing by his band and the Jordanaires, a vocal group that frequently collaborated with Presley. Steve Sholes, a prominent record producer at RCA Victor, oversaw the session.
Despite the reworked lyrics, “One Night” still carried a strong undercurrent of passion and longing, perfectly suited for Presley’s powerful vocals and charismatic delivery. The song’s structure followed a classic rock and roll ballad format, featuring a driving rhythm section, Presley’s soaring vocals, and a catchy hook.
“One Night” was not immediately released as a single. RCA Victor strategically held back on releasing new Elvis Presley music in 1957, focusing on promoting his debut album, simply titled “Elvis Presley,” which had been a massive success. However, Presley’s ever-growing popularity and fan demand fueled anticipation for new music.
Finally, in October 1958, “One Night” was released as a double A-side single alongside another Presley track, “I Got Stung.” The strategy proved successful. “One Night” climbed the charts, reaching number four on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart in the United States and achieving even greater success in the United Kingdom, where it reached number one on the singles chart twice. The song became the UK’s 1000th number-one single upon its second release in 2005, solidifying its place in British music history.
“One Night” stands as a testament to Presley’s musical influence and his ability to push boundaries. The song’s journey from the suggestive lyrics of the original version to the commercially successful ballad showcases his evolving sound and the calculated efforts of those around him. More importantly, it remains a captivating rock and roll ballad, a reminder of Presley’s charisma and the enduring legacy of his early music.
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Lyrics:
One night of sin, yeahIs what I’m now paying forThe things I did and I sawWould make the earth stand stillDon’t call my nameIt makes me feel so ashamedI lost my sweet helping handI got myself to blameAlways lived, very quiet lifeAin’t never did no wrongBut now I know that very quiet lifeHas cost me nothing but harmOne night of sin, yeahIs what I’m now paying forThe things I did and I sawWould make the earth stand stillAlways lived, very quiet lifeAin’t never did no wrongBut now I know that very quiet lifeHas cost me nothing but harmOne night of sin, yeahIs what I’m now paying forThe things I did and I sawWould make the earth stand still