Verified listings:
- Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley
- Are You Lonesome Tonight - Elvis Presley
- Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley
Assumed/incorrect titles:
- Are You Laughing Tonight?
other performers:
- Cissy Houston (soprano vocal on laughing version)
- James Burton (guitar on laughing version)
- others
Written by:
- Roy Turk & Lou Handman
Recorded:
- April 3, 1960 (original version) (technically April 4, 1960, since it was recorded after midnight)
- August 26, 1969 (laughing version) (technically August 27, 1969, since the show started at midnight)
Recording location:
- RCA Studio B, Nashville, TN (original version)
- International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV (laughing version)
Released:
- 1960 (original version)
- 1980 (laughing version)
Available on (*):
- 1960 45 rpm single (RCA 47-7810, November, 1960; original version)
- 1980 LP set Elvis Aron Presley (RCA CPL8-3699, August, 1980; laughing version)
- 2002 CD Elv1s: 30 #1 Hits (RCA 07863 68079-2, September, 2002; original version)
- 2005 CD single (Sony BMG/RCA 82876666602 1, January 31, 2005; both versions (U.K. release))
- 2005 CD All Shook Up (Follow That Dream 8287670306-2, July 1, 2005; laughing version)
Cover of song originally by:
- Al Jolson
- Vaughn Deleath
General type of music:
- ballad
Topics (not including words that are part of the title):
- relationships
- laughter
Alternate versions:
- Dr. Demento plays the laughing version.
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- Elvis originally recorded the song because it was a favorite of his manager's wife. Elvis was never particularly fond of the song, and often played with it in concert.
- The soprano background singer who is particularly evident in the "laughing version" is Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston's mom).
- In the so-called "laughing version", recorded live in concert, Elvis changes the lyrics to be funny, and then cannot keep a straight face the rest of the song. He seems to be somewhat amused by the soprano singer (Cissy Houston) who sings her part perfectly.
- another laughing version appears on the 1977 Elvis In Concert album
Chart information:
- #1 1960 (original version) (single)
- #1 1961 (original version) (U.K.)
- #2 2005 (original version) (U.K.)
- #27 1980 (laughing version) (as part of album Elvis Aron Presley)
- #202 1984 (laughing version) (bubbled under, as part of album Elvis - A Legendary Performer, Volume 4)
General type of music:
- rock 'n' roll
Real name:
- Elvis Aaron Presley
Also recorded with:
- The Jordanaires
- J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet
- The Sweet Inspirations
- Ann-Margaret
- Nancy Sinatra
- The Imperials
- Voice
- others
interesting facts (click to see playlist of show on which fact was mentioned, if applicable):
- known as "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll"
- most successful artist of the rock 'n' roll era
- middle name on birth certificate was Aaron, but when signing his name he wrote Aron
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* Note that it may be available on other releases or formats than are listed, and some releases listed may not be currently available. Generally the first release is listed, along with a commonly available release (for items that aren't out of print), and any Dr. Demento compilations on which it has appeared. Albums may be out of print in their original format but still available in another format. We suggest checking various online stores or the artist's web site (if applicable) to determine current availability.