Very few artists have had the impact that Elvis Presley had on popular music in the 20th century and beyond. He was the King of Rock and Roll for a good reason. A fearless innovator, Elvis rewrote the book when it came to rock. Anything he touched turned to a hit. Elvis' Las Vegas stints are legendary. So was his 1968 comeback special, when he was at the height of his looks and vocal power. (Remember that sizzling black leather getup he wore?) One of his songs even became a classic for another seminal figure in music, Willie Nelson.
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'You Were Always On My Mind' Was Written By Wayne Carson
It Was An Apology To His Irate Wife
Per Songfacts, Carson who wrote "The Letter" which became a smash for The Box Tops, was away from home on business for longer than he anticipated. His wife was pretty irked. He told her that she was always on his mind, and thus the memorable song of that title was born.
According to Songfacts via the Los Angeles Times, Carson recalled, "It just struck me like someone had hit me with a hammer. I told her real fast I had to hang up because I had to put that into a song. All that 'Always' was about was one long apology. I guess there are a lot of people in the world who were looking for a way to say that in a song."
Many Famous Singers Recorded The Song
Elvis Presley And Willie Nelson Were Among Them
Elvis recorded "You Were Always On My Mind" in 1972. It was moderately successful. But ten years after that, when Willie Nelson recorded the song, per the outlet, it "became the definitive version and the first to make the Hot 100 (#5; it was also a #1 Country hit)."
Willie Nelson Was A Big Fan Of The Song
Nelson loved the tune right away. In his autobiography via Songfacts, he wrote, "'Always On My Mind,' bowled me over the moment I heard it, which is one of the ways I pick songs to record. There are beautifully sad songs that bowl me over... haunting melodies you can't get out of your mind, with lines that really stick."
Nelson wasn't the only person who rhapsodized about it. The song was an unqualified monster hit. It was the CMA's Single of the Year in 1982, plus it hauled in three Grammys - for Best Country Song, Song of the Year, and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Impressive! To this day, it's one of Nelson's signature songs.
