Suspicious Minds

In this song, the trust is gone, replaced with a toxic suspicion that is making the couple miserable. The song is sung from the guy's perspective; seems he's been accused of cheating, and his partner doesn't believe a word he says. He turns the tables, telling her that her suspicions are killing him, and asking for a fresh start so they can build their dreams. It's not clear if he's really been unfaithful or if he's been wrongly accused.

"Suspicious Minds" was written by a Memphis singer named Mark James, who also wrote the B.J. Thomas hit "Hooked On A Feeling." James recorded the original version in 1968, but it went nowhere. Elvis heard the song at Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, where he came to record as a change of pace from Nashville; it was his first time recording in Memphis since 1955. Donna Jean Godchaux, who sang backup on James' original and also on Elvis' recording, told Songfacts: "Elvis was in the studio at American Sound in Memphis, and our friend Mark James, who wrote 'Suspicious Minds,' had an office there. Elvis walked by Mark's office and Mark was playing the demo that we had done - we had done the background vocals on his version of 'Suspicious Minds.' Elvis walked in and said, 'I want that song and I want those girls.'" The other backup singers were Jeanie Greene, and the sisters Mary and Ginger Holliday. They also sang on "In The Ghetto."

This was a big comeback song for Elvis, who hadn't had a US #1 hit since "Good Luck Charm" in 1962. He had been making a series of unexceptional movies, and his music had lost its luster. "Suspicious Minds" brought him back to #1 in November 1969, and he was off and running, launching a tour in 1970 (his first in nine years) and becoming a star attraction in Las Vegas. It ended up being his last #1 hit in his lifetime, but his releases started charting a lot higher than his mid-'60s output.