Mama_Liked_the_Roses

Mama Liked the Roses

Mama Liked the Roses

1970 single by Elvis Presley

"Mama Liked the Roses" is a song by Elvis Presley released in 1970. The song was released as the B-side to "The Wonder of You" 45 single on April 20, 1970, and on the 1970 RCA Camden reissue of Elvis' Christmas Album.

Quick Facts Single by Elvis Presley, A-side ...

Background

The song's basic track (guitar, two basses, piano, organ, and drums from The Memphis Boys, the house band for American Sound Studio) was recorded on January 15-16, 1969, without Elvis Presley present.[1] Elvis overdubbed his lead vocals and a harmony vocal part that was unused in the final master recording, on January 21-22, 1969.[2] Initial backing vocals were also recorded on January 21-22, 1969.[2] Strings and brass were overdubbed on March 18 and 19, 1969,[3][4] before a final backing vocal overdub was added on March 31, 1970.[5]

The song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in a pairing with "The Wonder of You".[7] The song was composed by Johnny Christopher, who also co-wrote "If You Talk in Your Sleep" and "Always on My Mind", both recorded by Elvis Presley.[8]

Personnel

Credits from Keith Flynn and Ernst Jorgensen's examination of session tapes and RCA and AFM paperwork.[1][2][3][4][5]

  • Elvis Presley - lead vocals; harmony vocals (unused in final mix)[2]
  • Reggie Young - guitar
  • Tommy Cogbill - bass
  • Mike Leech - bass; horn and string arrangements; overdubbed viola; session "leader" for string overdub session
  • Bobby Wood - piano
  • Bobby Emmons - organ
  • Gene Chrisman - drums

Overdubbed

  • Mary "Jeanie" Greene, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Donna Thatcher, Sandra Posey Robinson - backing vocals
  • Dolores Edgin, June "Ricki" Page, Hurschel Wiginton, Joseph Babcock - backing vocals (uncertain)
  • Glen Spreen - saxophone; horn and string arrangements
  • Wayne Jackson, R.F. Taylor - trumpets
  • Jackie Thomas, Jack Hale - trombones
  • Joe D'Gerolamo, Tony Cason - French horns
  • Noel Gilbert - violin; session contractor for string overdub session
  • Gloria Hendricks, Albert Edelman, Robert Snyder, Anna Oldham, Hal Saunders, Edward Freudberg - violins
  • Mary Snyder, John Wehlan, Nono Ravarono, Vernon Taylor - violas
  • Anne Kendall, Peter Spurbeck - cellos

Production staff

References

  1. [1]
    Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: January 15-16, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  2. [2]
    Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: January 21-22, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  3. [3]
    Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 18, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. [4]
    Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 19, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  5. [5]
    Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 31, 1970". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  6. [6]
    "Elvis Presley - Lyrics". lyrics.elvispresley.com.
  7. [7]
    "The Hot 100". Billboard. 2 January 2013.
  8. [8]
    "Mama Liked the Roses 45". 45cat.com.


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