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Return to Sender

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Rating: 4.3 Stars4.3 Stars4.3 Stars4.3 Stars4.3 Stars
Words & Music: Otis Blackwell/ Winfield Scott
I gave a letter to the postman,
he put it his sack.
Bright in early next morning,
he brought my letter back.

She wrote upon it:
Return to sender, address unknown.
No such number, no such zone.
We had a quarrel, a lover's spat
I write I'm sorry but my letter keeps coming back.

So then I dropped it in the mailbox
And sent it special D.
Bright in early next morning
it came right back to me.

She wrote upon it:
Return to sender, address unknown.
No such number, no such zone.

This time I'm gonna take it myself
and put it right in her hand.
And if it comes back the very next day
then I'll understand the writing on it

Return to sender, address unknown.
No such person, no such zone.
Recorded: 1962/03/27, first released on single

Reactions

Deano1 (profilecontact) wrote on Feb 3, 2010report abuse
This song was recorded in 1962 for Elvis' 11th movie "Girls! Girls! Girls!". Elvis and Jordanaires are in top form and produce an absolute classic. This song, though very deserving of a number one position on the chart, spent five weeks at it's peak of #2 in the U.S. (The Four Seasons' "Big Girls Don't Cry" held it out of the top spot). One reason why Elvis did not do this song live (as well of many of his early hits) is because I think he truly feared becoming what Little Richard and Chuck Berry had already become and what Rick Nelson sang about in his 1972 hit "Garden Party", a relic. The Aloha show reveals this very well as he only sings a snipet of "Hound Dog", a quick "Blue Suede Shoes" , a nice updated version of "A Big Hunk O' Love", "Love Me" and of course his closing "Can't Help Falling In Love". Those are the only early year hits he performed that night as he concentrated on more mature and modern songs. I wish we as fans had allowed him to become that performer instead of insisting on giving us a rundown of his early work.
Pedro Nuno (profilecontact) wrote on Feb 3, 2010report abuse
Another early 60's pop tune perfection. To bad Elvis career was going down with soundtracks as the one that this gem was in.
shoesuedeblues (profilecontact) wrote on Feb 3, 2010report abuse
A song that everybody seems to know even non Elvis fans. Scornfully neglected with a hundred more in the concert years.
JLpResLey (profilecontact) wrote on Feb 3, 2010report abuse
A true classic, but one song I never really cared for. I just don´t like it that much, Elvis did much better songs, even in the movie years.
Bart van Katwijk (profilecontact) wrote on Jan 21, 2010report abuse
I like the music, love the lyrics. Indeed why wasn't it sung more often?
dgirl (profilecontact) wrote on Apr 2, 2009report abuse
One of the classics and one of the all time top movie songs along with Viva. Everyone knows it. A natural for the 70's concert years. Why oh why was it not part of his show?

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z