Suspicious Minds

Story of Song

“Suspicious Minds” depict the frustration, mistrust, jealousy, and insecurity within a relationship. Mark James first wrote and released this song in 1968. He was married to his first wife at the time, but still had feelings for his childhood sweetheart, who was also married then. James’ wife was suspicious of his feelings. But the song wasn’t successful and didn’t do well for James. The following year, Memphis soul producer Chips Mom was producing Elvis Presley’s album “From Elvis in Memphis” and introduced Elvis to the song where he immediately fell in love with it and decided he could turn it into a hit. Elvis recorded it and it indeed it became a number 1 hit.

Release date

Released on  August 26, 1969

Songwriter/s

Mark James

Label

RCA

Chart Rankings

US – 1

UK – 2

GERMANY  – 1

Presley’s eighteenth and last number 1 hit in the US, “Suspicious Minds” was certified Platinum in the US and Gold in Italy. It was the comeback hit for Elvis, his last number 1 hit was seven years before. “Suspicious Minds”, entered the chart at number 77, seven weeks later it reached number 1 for one week and it stayed on the chart for 15 weeks. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and ranked at number 91 on Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004. In the UK the song peaked at number 2.

Artist’s age on release date

Elvis was 34 years of age.

Cover Versions

Fine Young Cannibals – Dwight Yoakam – Gareth Gates – Dee Dee Warwick – B.J. Thomas – Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter – The Heptones – Judy Cheeks – Ronnie McDowell – Candi Station – Bobby Orlando – Phish – Bowling for Soup – U2 – Pete Yorn – Avail – Sakis Rouvas (Greek singer) – Miss Kittin & The Hacker – Rusted Root – Steve Hofmery (South African singer) – The Bourbon Cowboys – Glasvegas featuring Florence Welch – Clay Aiken – The Persuasions – Phish – Amanda Lear – Martina McBride.