Introduction:
“That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” is a song strongly associated with Elvis Presley, and it played a pivotal role in his early career. Originally written by William Raskin, George Brown, and Fred Fisher in 1937, Elvis first encountered the song in 1953. At the time, he was still an unknown artist, and he recorded a private version at Sun Records during a $4 studio session, along with “My Happiness.” This early recording was significant as it marked one of his first ventures into a professional studio, showing his love for ballads even before his rise to fame.
The song resurfaced in 1957 when Presley recorded it professionally at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, alongside his major hit “All Shook Up.” Released as the B-side of that iconic single, “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” showcases Elvis’s ability to convey deep emotion through his rich voice, especially in ballads. The 1957 recording featured a haunting narrative section that emphasized the heartbreak and sorrow depicted in the lyrics, a technique that was relatively unique for its time.
While “All Shook Up” became a chart-topping hit, “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” was appreciated for its emotional depth, with its more somber tone contrasting Elvis’s upbeat rock ‘n’ roll style. The song highlighted the versatility of Presley as a performer, moving effortlessly between rock and sentimental ballads, which would become a hallmark of his career.
This track remains a nostalgic piece, illustrating both Elvis’s early influences and the remarkable evolution of his vocal talent between his early years and the height of his career.