"Tryin' to Get to You" | |
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Single by The Eagles | |
A-side | "Please, Please" |
Released | 1954 |
Label | Mercury |
Writer(s) | McCoy, Singleton |
"Tryin' to Get to You" | |
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Single by The Teen Kings / Vocal, Roy Orbison | |
B-side | "Ooby Dooby" |
Released | April 1956 |
Recorded | March 4, 1956 |
Label | Je-Wel |
Writer(s) | McCoy, Singleton |
"Tryin' to Get to You" | |
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Single by Elvis Presley | |
from the album Elvis Presley | |
B-side | "I Love You Because" |
Released | August 1956 |
Recorded | July 11, 1955 |
Genre | Rhythm and blues, rockabilly |
Label | RCA Victor |
Writer(s) | McCoy, Singleton |
"Tryin' to Get to You" is a song written by R&B singer songwriters Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton It was originally recorded by the Washington DC vocal group The Eagles in 1954 and released in mid-1954 on Mercury Records 70391. Advertising in Billboard magazine indicates that the format of the title on The Eagles’ record was “Tryin’ to Get to You”, with an apostrophe.
The song was also recorded by Elvis Presley in 1955 on his then unissued Sun recordings.
Presley recorded five versions of the song. The first on March 23, 1955 and the second on July 11, 1955, with the second session being released during his lifetime. He also recorded live versions of the song on Elvis (NBC TV Special), Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis, and Elvis in Concert. On the earlier version that appeared on the 1999 album Sunrise, Presley recorded this song while simultaneously playing the piano (and not aided by his rhythm guitar, as previously believed). Because his piano playing was not up to the expected standards, producer Sam Phillips erased the sound of the piano on the master take so, in addition to Elvis’ tantalizing vocals, all one hears is the lead guitar, bass, and drums. Elvis’ piano is heard on the July session version and appeared on his self-titled 1956 LP.
Presley’s vocal delivery appears to be influenced by that of The Eagles’ lead singer, although taking the two magnificent warbles at 0.56 and 2.12 one step forward by extending his vocals so that they meet, then join ( and without any stops nor breathing space in between), the first and second verses. In addition, Scotty Moore’s guitar solo on the Presley recording replaces a saxophone solo heard on the original.
The track was released on Presley’s March 1956 RCA debut album Elvis Presley. It also featured on the famous 1976 The Sun Sessions release and on numerous other Elvis efforts and collections as well.