Frankie and Johnny (album)

Frankie and Johnny

Released

March 1, 1966

Recorded

May 1965

Length

26:40

Harum Scarum
(1965)

Frankie and Johnny
(1966)

Paradise, Hawaiian Style
(1966)

Singles from Frankie and Johnny

Frankie & Johnny

Released

November 1976

From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
(1976)

Frankie and Johnny
(1976)

Welcome to My World
(1977)

Frankie and Johnny is the twenty-fifth album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 3553, on March 1, 1966. It is the soundtrack to the 1966 film of the same name starring Presley. Recording sessions took place at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California, on May 12, 13, and 14, 1965. It peaked at number 20 on the Top LP's chart. It was certified Gold and Platinum on January 6, 2004 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

To coincide with the 19th century setting of the film, some traditional song material was utilized for the soundtrack. "When the Saints Go Marching In" is an old gospel hymn that has become a jazz standard associated with the traditional hot jazz of New Orleans. It is paired in a medley with "Down by the Riverside", another traditional gospel song dating back to the relevant time period. Both are in the public domain, and the team of Giant, Baum, and Kaye captured the publishing for and Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The title song, "Frankie and Johnny," is a variant on the American popular song first published in 1904 and credited to Hughie Cannon. With changed lyrics, another publishing royalty was secured for Gladys Music.