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Elvis Presley: An iconic track was written by gruesome horror movie's star

Elvis Presley: An iconic track was written by gruesome horror movie's star


ELVIS PRESLEY fans may not realise that one of the King's most famous early songs was actually originally written, recorded and titled by another person with an unexpected background. But while Otis Blackwell penned the lyrics of Elvis' version, the King took the credit for both the song and its title. He even claimed he "came up with the idea" himself.


By 1957 Elvis Presley was beginning to become a household name in the US music industry and the rest of the world. After a few years of releasing some hit singles, it seemed as if his 1957 tracks could go nowhere but up, reaching number one single status three times in a row. The fourth number-one single - and his 19th single overall - All Shook Up, was released on March 22, 1957. But the song's writer went on to lead a career in Hollywood.


Elvis worked with Otis on a number of singles, but the songwriter had received some inspiration from another creative in the industry.


In 2009 David Hess (previously David Hill) revealed he was the person who originally came up with All Shook Up and even recorded it before Elvis. He said at the time: "As far as All Shook Up, the title came from a real set of circumstances and when I decided not to write it, Otis Blackwell did and I had the first recording for Aladdin Records."


David added: "It was my title, but Otis wrote the song and Presley took a writing credit in order to get him to record it. That's the way things happened in those days."


Elvis Presley released All Shook Up in 1957 (Image: GETTY)


David is perhaps best known for playing the role of Krug Stillo in the 1972 horror film The Last House on the Left. The infamous movie made headlines at the time because of its realistic depictions of murder and sexual abuse. This was even reflected in the film's tagline: "Can a movie go too far?"


Although this horrific slasher thriller is intrinsically connected to Elvis' seventh number-one single of all time, the King himself claimed it was actually him behind the musical magic.

The Last House on the Left was released in 1972 (Image: GETTY)


Elvis was interviewed at the time of the release of All Shook Up on October 28, 1957. "I've never even had an idea for a song," he confessed. "Just once, maybe. I went to bed one night, had quite a dream, and woke up all shook up."


Elvis claimed this dream was enough for him to kickstart the idea of this track. He added: "I phoned a pal and told him about it. By morning, he had a new song, All Shook Up."



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