Trying to Get To You
Encyclopedia
“Trying To Get To You” is a song performed by Elvis Presley
in 1955 on his Sun recordings
.
It was written by Rose Marie McCoy
and Charles Singleton, also known as Charlie Singleton. It was originally recorded by the rhythm and blues outfit The Eagles
in 1954 and released in mid-1954 on Mercury Records
70391. Advertising in Billboard magazine indicates that the format of the title on The Eagles’ record was “Tryin’ To Get To You”, with an apostrophe.
Presley recorded five versions of the song. The first on March 23, 1955 and the second on July 11, 1955, with the second session being released during his lifetime. He also recorded live versions of the song on Elvis (NBC TV Special)
, Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis
, and Elvis in Concert. On the earlier version that appeared on the 1999 album Sunrise, Presley recorded this song while simultaneously playing the piano (and not aided by his rhythm guitar, as previously believed). Because his piano playing was not up to the expected standards, producer Sam Phillips
erased the
sound of the piano on the master take so, in addition to Elvis’ tantalizing vocals, all one hears is the lead guitar, the bass and the drums. Elvis’ piano is heard on the July session version and appeared on his self-titled 1956 LP. Presley’s vocal delivery appears to be influenced by that of The Eagles’ lead singer, but Scotty Moore
’s guitar solo on the Presley recording replaces a saxophone solo heard on the original.
The track was released on Presley’s March 1956 RCA debut album Elvis Presley
. It also featured on the famous 1976 The Sun Sessions
release and on numerous other Elvis efforts and collections as well.
“Trying To Get To You” was next recorded by Roy Orbison
in April 1956 as Je-Wel JE-101 backed with “Ooby Dooby” on the B-side.
A version by Johnny Carroll
also then ensued, being made on Decca Records
on May 19, 1956 (Decca 9-29940).
Rick Nelson and Roy Orbison
were the next to give their own treatments of the song.
After Eric Burdon
performed it a few times on his own shows he reunited with The Animals
in late 1983 and recorded the song in the studio. It appeared on their album Ark
but was retitled “Trying To Get You”. It was also included on their live shows before they disbanded again in early 1984.
Later it was also covered by Faith Hill
, Susie Arioli
, Gene Summers
and many others.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
in 1955 on his Sun recordings
Elvis Presley's Sun recordings
Elvis Presley's Sun recordings were made by Elvis Presley at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A. between 1953 and 1955. The recordings were produced by Sam Phillips. Memphis is a melting pot of many types of music: both black music and white music , the recordings reflect these influences...
.
It was written by Rose Marie McCoy
Rose Marie McCoy
Rose Marie McCoy was one of the most influential and prolific songwriters of the 1950s and 1960s.McCoy moved to New York City in 1942, pursuing a singing career...
and Charles Singleton, also known as Charlie Singleton. It was originally recorded by the rhythm and blues outfit The Eagles
The Eagles (rhythm and blues group)
The Eagles were a 1950s rhythm and blues vocal group from the Washington, D.C. area. They recorded the original version of "Trying to Get To You" , better known through the versions by Elvis Presley and The Animals...
in 1954 and released in mid-1954 on Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
70391. Advertising in Billboard magazine indicates that the format of the title on The Eagles’ record was “Tryin’ To Get To You”, with an apostrophe.
Presley recorded five versions of the song. The first on March 23, 1955 and the second on July 11, 1955, with the second session being released during his lifetime. He also recorded live versions of the song on Elvis (NBC TV Special)
Elvis (NBC TV Special)
Elvis is the thirty-fourth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono, LPM 4088, in November 1968. Recording sessions took place in Burbank, California at Western Recorders on June 20, 21, 22, and 23, 1968, and at NBC Studios on June 27 and 29, 1968. It peaked at #8 on the...
, Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis
Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis
Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis is an album of recordings by Elvis Presley released by RCA Records in 1974 and recorded on March 20, 1974, in front of a live audience at the Midsouth Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, Presley's hometown. Elvis' home, Graceland, is pictured on the cover...
, and Elvis in Concert. On the earlier version that appeared on the 1999 album Sunrise, Presley recorded this song while simultaneously playing the piano (and not aided by his rhythm guitar, as previously believed). Because his piano playing was not up to the expected standards, producer Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
erased the
sound of the piano on the master take so, in addition to Elvis’ tantalizing vocals, all one hears is the lead guitar, the bass and the drums. Elvis’ piano is heard on the July session version and appeared on his self-titled 1956 LP. Presley’s vocal delivery appears to be influenced by that of The Eagles’ lead singer, but Scotty Moore
Scotty Moore
Winfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III is an American guitarist. He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career, between 1954 and the beginning of Elvis' Hollywood years...
’s guitar solo on the Presley recording replaces a saxophone solo heard on the original.
The track was released on Presley’s March 1956 RCA debut album Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley (album)
-1999 Reissue with Bonus Tracks:Catalogue data reflects simultaneous release of all tracks from LPM 1254 as singles in August, 1956; chart positions from Billboard Pop Singles chart.-2006 FTD Reissue:Disc OneDisc Two-Personnel:...
. It also featured on the famous 1976 The Sun Sessions
The Sun Sessions
The Sun Sessions is a compilation of Elvis Presley recordings at Sun Studios in 1954 and 1955. It was issued by RCA Records in 1976. It had been issued and charted as The Sun Collection in the United Kingdom the previous year...
release and on numerous other Elvis efforts and collections as well.
“Trying To Get To You” was next recorded by Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
in April 1956 as Je-Wel JE-101 backed with “Ooby Dooby” on the B-side.
A version by Johnny Carroll
Johnny Carroll
Johnny Carroll was an American rockabilly musician.-Biography:Born John Lewis Carrell , Carroll began recording for Decca Records in the middle of the 1950s. He released several singles, but none of them saw significant success, though they are now critically acclaimed...
also then ensued, being made on Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
on May 19, 1956 (Decca 9-29940).
Rick Nelson and Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
were the next to give their own treatments of the song.
After Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
performed it a few times on his own shows he reunited with The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
in late 1983 and recorded the song in the studio. It appeared on their album Ark
Ark (The Animals album)
Ark is a reunion album released in 1983 by the original members of The Animals. It was the second, and last, reunion attempt of the original group.-Track listing:# "Loose Change" -...
but was retitled “Trying To Get You”. It was also included on their live shows before they disbanded again in early 1984.
Later it was also covered by Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
, Susie Arioli
Susie Arioli
- Biography :Arioli had been singing in jazz clubs in Montreal when she met guitar player Jordan Officer at a jam led by Stephen Barry. Together they started the Susie Arioli Band. Their first big opportunity came in 1998 when after a successful outdoor show they were asked by the Montreal...
, Gene Summers
Gene Summers
Gene Summers is an American rock/rockabilly singer and entertainer. Some of his classic recordings include "School of Rock 'n Roll", "Straight Skirt", "Nervous", "Gotta Lotta That", "Twixteen", "Alabama Shake" and his biggest-selling single "Big Blue Diamonds"...
and many others.