50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong

Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2
Greatest hits album by Elvis Presley
Released November 13, 1959
Recorded September 1956 – June 1958
Genre Rock and roll, pop
Length 22:00
Label RCA Victor
Producer Steve Sholes
Elvis Presley chronology
A Date with Elvis
(1959)		 Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2
(1959)		 Elvis Is Back!
(1960)
Professional ratings
Review scores
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Allmusic link

Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2, also known as 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, is the ninth album by Elvis Presley, issued by RCA Victor in November 1959. It is a compilation of hit singles released in 1958 and 1959 by Presley, from recording sessions going back as far as February 1957.

The title of this album is shown on the original record's labels as "Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2," with a comma and an abbreviation of "Volume", but on the jacket, it appears as "Elvis' Gold Records — Volume 2". The phrase "50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong" does not appear on the labels of any of the original records, and it is the title of the records—not the jacket—that is usually given preference when conflicting titles appear on albums. Therefore, the phrase was not part of the original title of the album. It was from 1959 through 1961; beginning no later than 1962, RCA Victor added "50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong" to the labels of a few mono records and to the newly released "electronically reprocessed stereo" records. The boasting on the label appears nearly exclusively on records from RCA Victor's Hollywood pressing plant; copies pressed at the other plants tended to use the proper title only. It remained there for several years, but by 1968, it was removed from the labels and was not found on any records for years, but then it was added (again), this time to the CD releases of this album, where it has stayed.

"Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2" peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.[1] It was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for a Gold Record Award (based on $1,000,000 in wholesale sales) on November 1, 1966. It was certified for a Platinum Record Award for sales of one million copies in the US on March 27, 1992.[2]

Content

Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2 consists of both sides of five singles released during 1958 and 1959. Two sides made number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and six others reached the Top 10. In the 1950s, a Gold Record awarded to a single required certified sales of one million copies in the United States. This is different from the definition in use since the 1990s, when a Gold Record for a single was reduced to sales of 500,000 units.

In 1984, RCA reissued the original 10 track album on compact disc in reprocessed (fake) stereo sound. This issue was quickly withdrawn and the disc was reissued in original monophonic. RCA reissued the album again in 1997 in a 20 track expanded edition, adding one A-side ("Hard Headed Woman") and one B-side ("Playing For Keeps"), along with tracks from top-selling EPs (e.g., "Peace In The Valley"). Several of those EP tracks were hit singles in other countries, notably the UK (i.e., "Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me"). The bonus tracks are interspersed within the original tracks, with the running order to the album substantially altered.

The unified Billboard Hot 100 singles chart was not created until August, 1958. Chart positions for records (below) prior to this date were taken from the magazine's "Best Sellers in Stores" chart. In some cases, the early measurement of success of rock and roll records also came from the "Most Played on Jukeboxes" chart. Chart positions (below) for the bonus tracks on the CDs were taken from the peak position that the EP album achieved on Billboard's then extant EP chart (1957–60).

Homage

The famous cover photo, of multiple images of Elvis wearing the gold lamé suit designed by Nudie's of Hollywood,[3] has been copied many times. Album covers so inspired include:

The meme has also been adopted to other media, such as:

Title meanings

The blurb "50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong" that became an on-and-off part of the album's title originated with a one-page article titled "Can Fifty Million Americans Be Wrong" by Les Brown that appeared in the September 19, 1956, issue of Down Beat magazine. The article was an unfavorable look at Elvis and his fans, with Brown bemoaning the lack of appreciation of the "fine talents" of Jerri Southern, Dick Haymes, and "other serious vocal artists." The article concludes, "The educational responsibility seems to fall mainly on the disc jockey, who still has the greatest proximity to, and the greatest influence over, the record-buying public. Fifty million Americans can easily be misled."[15]

The expression is itself a reference to the hit song of 1927, "Fifty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong", by Willie Raskin, Billy Rose, and Fred Fisher, most notably performed by Sophie Tucker.[16] The song prompted the creation of a popular tag line about fifty million people being wrong. Methodist pastor J. Resler Shultz of Harrisburg, PA, used "Can fifty million Americans be wrong" as the title of a sermon in 1931.[17] Articles with similar titles have appeared somewhat frequently since that time—some being about food, politics, or religion.[18] It is also an estimate of the number of singles that Presley sold by late 1958. Steve Sholes, Elvis' producer, said, "Every record Elvis has ever made for us has sold over a million. Since January, 1956, we've sold 50 million Elvis Presley records in this country alone, not counting foreign sales or albums."[19]

Track listing

Chart positions for LPs and EPs from Billboard Top Pop Albums chart; positions for singles from Billboard Pop Singles chart

Original release

Side one
No. Song title Writer(s) Recorded Catalogue Release date Chart peak Time
1. 0"I Need Your Love Tonight" Bix Reichner and Sid Wayne June 10, 1958 47-7506b March 10, 1959 4 2:04
2. 0"Don't" Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller September 6, 1957 47-7150 January 7, 1958 1 2:48
3. 0"Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" Bert Carroll and Moody Russell February 1, 1958 47-7240 April 1, 1958 2 2:13
4. 0"My Wish Came True" Ivory Joe Hunter September 6, 1957 47-7600b June 23, 1959 12 2:33
5. 0"I Got Stung" David Hill and Aaron Schroeder June 11, 1958 47-7410b October 21, 1958 8 1:49
Side two
No. Song title Writer(s) Recorded Catalogue Release date Chart peak Time
1. 0"One Night" Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman February 23, 1957 47-7410 October 21, 1958 4 2:29
2. 0"A Big Hunk o' Love" Aaron Schroeder and Sidney Wyche June 10, 1958 47-7600 June 23, 1959 1 2:12
3. 0"I Beg of You" Rose Marie McCoy and Cliff Owens February 23, 1957 47-7150b January 7, 1958 8 1:50
4. 0"(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I" Bill Trader June 10, 1958 47-7506 March 10, 1959 2 2:36
5. 0"Doncha' Think It's Time" Luther Dixon and Clyde Otis February 1, 1958 47-7240b April 1, 1958 15 1:54

1997 reissue with bonus tracks

No. Song title Writer(s) Recorded Catalogue Release date Chart peak Time
1. 0"A Big Hunk O' Love" Aaron Schroeder and Sidney Wyche June 10, 1958 47-7600 June 23, 1959 1 2:12
2. 0"My Wish Came True" Ivory Joe Hunter September 6, 1957 47-7600b June 23, 1959 12 2:33
3. 0"(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I" Bill Trader June 10, 1958 47-7506 March 10, 1959 2 2:36
4. 0"I Need Your Love Tonight" Bix Reichner and Sid Wayne June 10, 1958 47-7506b March 10, 1959 4 2:04
5. 0"Don't" Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller September 6, 1957 47-7150 January 7, 1958 1 2:48
6. 0"I Beg of You" Rose Marie McCoy and Cliff Owens February 23, 1957 47-7150b January 7, 1958 8 1:50
7. 0"Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" Aaron Schroeder and Claude DeMetrius September 7, 1957 LOC 1035 October 15, 1957 1 1:54
8. 0"Santa Claus Is Back In Town" Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller September 7, 1957 LOC 1035 October 15, 1957 1 2:22
9. 0"Party" Jessie Mae Robinson January 21, 1957 LPM 1515 July 1, 1957 1 1:26
10. 0"Paralyzed" Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley September 2, 1956 LPM 1382 October 19, 1956 1 2:23
11. 0"One Night" Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King February 23, 1957 47-7410 October 21, 1958 4 2:29
12. 0"I Got Stung" David Hill and Aaron Schroeder June 11, 1958 47-7410b October 21, 1958 8 1:49
13. 0"King Creole" Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller January 23, 1958 LPM 1884 September 19, 1958 2 2:08
14. 0"Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" Bert Carroll and Moody Russell February 1, 1958 47-7240 April 1, 1958 2 2:13
15. 0"Don'cha Think It's Time" Luther Dixon and Clyde Otis February 1, 1958 47-7240b April 1, 1958 15 1:54
16. 0"Mean Woman Blues" Claude DeMetrius January 13, 1957 LPM 1515 July 1, 1957 1 2:15
17. 0"Playing for Keeps" Stan Kesler September 1, 1956 47-6800b January 4, 1957 21 2:50
18. 0"Hard Headed Woman" Claude DeMetrius January 15, 1958 47-7280 June 10, 1958 1 1:53
19. 0"Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do" Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman January 12, 1957 LPM 1515 July 1, 1957 1 2:31
20. 0"(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)" Thomas A. Dorsey January 13, 1957 EPA 4054 April 1, 1957 3 3:22

Follow That Dream re-issue

Disc 1 Disc 2
LP Masters:
No. Title Length
1. "I Need Your Love Tonight"   2:04
2. "Don't"   2:43
3. "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck"   2:13
4. "My Wish Came True"   2:33
5. "I Got Stung"   1:49
6. "One Night"   2:32
7. "A Big Hunk O’ Love" (splice 3/4) 2:12
8. "I Beg Of You"   1:53
9. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I"   2:36
10. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (splice 40/39 – LP version) 1:54
Bonus Masters:
No. Title Length
11. "Your Cheatin’ Heart"   2:24
12. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby"   2:22
13. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (splice 47/40/48 - original single master) 1:54
February 1958 Session:
No. Title Length
14. "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" (undubbed) 2:13
15. "Your Cheatin’ Heart" (alternate take 9) 2:24
16. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (take 39) 1:54
17. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (take 40) 1:57
18. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (take 47) 1:55
19. "Doncha’ Think It’s Time" (take 48) 1:54
June 1958 Sessions:
No. Title Length
20. "A Big Hunk O’ Love" (take 1, pb)  
21. "A Big Hunk O’ Love" (take 2, pb)  
22. "A Big Hunk O’ Love" (take 3, pb)  
23. "A Big Hunk O’ Love" (take 4, pb)  
24. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 1, pb)  
25. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 2, lfs)  
26. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 3, fs)  
27. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 4, m)  
28. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 5, fs)  
29. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 6, lfs)  
30. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 7, lfs)  
31. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 8, lfs)  
32. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 9, lfs)  
33. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 10, lfs)  
34. "Ain’t That Loving You Baby" (take 11, lfs)  
June 1958 Sessions:
No. Title Length
1. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 1, lfs, starts with part of demo)  
2. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 2, fs)  
3. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 3, fs)  
4. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 4, pb)  
5. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 5, pb)  
6. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 6, incomplete)  
7. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 7, pb)  
8. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 8, incomplete)  
9. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 9, pb)  
10. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 10a, pb)  
11. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 10b, incomplete)  
12. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 11, lfs)  
13. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 12, fs)  
14. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 13, pb)  
15. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 14, pb)  
16. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 15, pb)  
17. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 16, lfs)  
18. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 17, fs)  
19. "I Need Your Love Tonight" (take 18, m)  
20. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 1, Fs)  
21. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 2, Fs)  
22. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 3, Pb)  
23. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 4, Fs)  
24. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 5, Pb)  
25. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 6, Fs)  
26. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 7, Fs)  
27. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 8, Pb)  
28. "(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I" (take 9, M)  
29. "I Got Stung" (take 1, lfs)  
30. "I Got Stung" (take 2, fs)  
31. "I Got Stung" (take 3, lfs)  
32. "I Got Stung" (take 4, fs)  
33. "I Got Stung" (take 5, fs)  
34. "I Got Stung" (take 6, fs)  
35. "I Got Stung" (take 7, fs)  
36. "I Got Stung" (take 8, pb)  
37. "I Got Stung" (take 9, fs)  
38. "I Got Stung" (take 10, pb)  
39. "I Got Stung" (take 11, pb)  
40. "I Got Stung" (take 12, pb)  
41. "I Got Stung" (take 13 fs, fs)  
42. "I Got Stung" (take 14, pb)  
43. "I Got Stung" (take 15, lfs)  
44. "I Got Stung" (take 16, pb)  
45. "I Got Stung" (take 17, fs)  
46. "I Got Stung" (take 18, lfs)  
47. "I Got Stung" (take 20, pb)  
48. "I Got Stung" (take 21, fs)  
49. "I Got Stung" (take 22, pb)  
50. "I Got Stung" (take 23, lfs)  
51. "I Got Stung" (take 24, m)  
Elvis Sails EP:
No. Title Length
52. "Press Interview With Elvis Presley" (At Brooklyn Army Terminal) 5:26
53. "Elvis Presley's Newsreel Interview"   2:20
54. "Pat Hernon Interviews Elvis" (In the Library of the U.S.S. Randall at Sailing) 2:15

Chart performance

Chart (1959) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 200 31

References

  1. ↑ "Elvis Presley: Awards". allmusic. Rovi Corp. 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Searchable datebase". RIAA. 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013. Note: Enter search for "Presley, Elvis"
  3. ↑ Beard, Tyler. (2001). 100 Years of Western Wear, p. 72. Gibbs Smith, Salt Lake City. ISBN 0-87905-591-X.
  4. ↑ https://img.discogs.com/VS9a0Yt3ydyksw6kwTanSjjMvpA=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc%28%29:format%28jpeg%29:mode_rgb%28%29:quality%2890%29/discogs-images/R-7217457-1436394780-1517.jpeg.jpg
  5. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Rod-Stewart-Body-Wishes/master/107023
  6. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Blues-Traveler-Four-1000000-People-Cant-Be-Wrong/release/2149647
  7. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Blumfeld-LEtat-Et-Moi/release/804951
  8. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Bon-Jovi-100000000-Bon-Jovi-Fans-Cant-Be-Wrong-/master/274140
  9. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Various-50000000-Soulwax-Fans-Cant-Be-Wrong/master/854694
  10. ↑ For still more, see this page: http://www.amiright.com/album-covers/50000000-elvis-fans-cant-be-wrong-parodies/
  11. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Dread-Zeppelin-5000000/master/97742
  12. ↑ Manson, Marilyn (1998). The Long Hard Road Out of Hell. ReganBooks. ISBN 978-0060987466.
  13. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/000-Pearls-Fans-Cant-Wrong/dp/0740791419
  14. ↑ "50,000 Middle Fingers Can't Be Wrong". Supersuckers. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Can Fifty Million Americans Be Wrong," Les Brown, Down Beat, September 19, 1956, p. 41
  16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-IP0DE2kTI
  17. ↑ The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA, October 3, 1931, p. 2
  18. ↑ Examples, New York magazine, Vol. 6, December 17, 1973, p. 127; "Fifty Million Frenchman Can be Wrong," Captain C. T. Lanham, The Field Artillery Journal, Vol. 35, p. 513 (1935); Inland Printer, Vol. 101, p. 38 (1938); The Peabody Reflector, Vol. 10, No. 5, p. 168 (1937); New Scientist, Vol. 31, p. 498; Audio-Visual Guide, Vol. 11, p. 10 (1944); Political Action of the Week, CIO Political Action Committee, no page given (1953); The Best Television Plays of the Year, Vol. 3, William J. Kaufman, p. 354 (1954); and Finance, Vol. 90, p. 64.
  19. ↑ quoted in "Stars in a Golden Spin," Rebecca Franklin, Chicago Tribune Magazine, October 26, 1958, p. 20

External links

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