ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT? — THE SONG THAT WHISPERS TO THE SOUL
“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” is a song with a rich history, initially written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. It saw several recordings in 1927, including versions by Charles Hart, Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the duet of Jerry Macy and John Ryan. In 1950, the Blue Barron Orchestra released a version that reached the top twenty on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart.
After Elvis Presley completed his two-year service in the U.S. Army in April 1960, he recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” at the suggestion of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Interestingly, Parker’s wife, Marie Mott, had a personal fondness for the song. Despite initial reservations from RCA Victor executives who thought the song didn’t align with Presley’s new style, it was eventually released in November 1960.
Upon its release, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” achieved immediate success in the U.S., topping Billboard’s Pop Singles chart and reaching number three on the R&B chart. It also quickly climbed to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart a month after its release. In 1983, Presley’s version of the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling 1,000,000 copies in the United States. The RIAA later upgraded its certification to a 2xPlatinum Record Award in 1992 for reaching 2,000,000 sales.
Over the years, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” has been covered by various artists, with notable versions by Donny Osmond and Merle Haggard that became hits on the pop and country charts, respectively. In 2008, Billboard ranked the song at number 81 on its “Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs” list, highlighting its enduring popularity and impact.
Oldies Songs