Return to Sender, or, Western Union?

#368129

Two songs which are SO alike musically, lyrically and thematically. Western Union sounds like a follow up to the story that begins in Return to Sender.
I'm not sure if that was deliberate or just fortuitous, but which of them would you prefer and why?

I'm voting Western Union, because I love continuing stories and somehow, musically, it just has the edge for me.

(p.s. according to Elvis His Life A-Z Return to Sender was the first UK #1 hit to include the saxophone!)

Matthew · #368133

Return To Sender was the song that got me hooked on Elvis in the first place so my vote casts there!

#368135

Return to Sender is one of the classics of the Presley catalogue - a fine example of early 60s pop. Western Union is a poor remake

Andrew

#368146

Matthew wrote:Return To Sender was the song that got me hooked on Elvis in the first place so my vote casts there!

Yeah there were about 4-5 songs that got me hooked on Elvis too. "The mezmorizing hit" Return To Sender was among them

JerryNodak · #368155

Return To Sender is clearly the better song. But I enjoy Western Union, too.

#368159

Elvis_Priestly wrote:(p.s. according to Elvis His Life A-Z Return to Sender was the first UK #1 hit to include the saxophone!)

Err....... no, actually.

Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets reached the No.1 spot in October, 1955, in the UK.

If you listen really carefully, you'll hear Rudi Pompeli's sax wailing away there somewhere........

And that's just one No.1 with a sax that comes to mind, I'm sure there were others during the mid-to-late fifties rock 'n' roll era.

It's not even the first Elvis UK No.1 with a sax.

Good Luck Charm, She's Not You & Rock-a-Hula Baby are all possible contenders, with Hula being the favourite.

#368162

One of the first Elvis Greatest Hits collections I got contained Return to Sender.

I asked myself back then (at the age of ca. 14): Why is this song on a greatest hits album? I didn't like the song, and I still don't like it. Don't know why.

Jan

#368166

I am surprised that "Western Union" has garnered any support at all in this poll. "Return To Sender" is a stone-cold Elvis classic--one of his most-recognizable songs. "Western Union," while likeable enough, is an obvious attempt at cashing in on the same formula.

#368167

Return to Sender gets my vote.

#368169

We don't have to decide. We can have them both!

voted for Return to Sender

#368170

Hello friends
you know...i like both songs RETURN TO SENDER was a classic hit !
It was also one of the first singles in my collection, i voted for SENDER
WESTERN UNION another great song from the great MAY 1963 session, Elvis recorded alot of great suff in that session, the fact that it was not pretty known tune it doesnt mean it is not a good song, i like it too

remember when i first heard it on the radio in 1990\1991 and i thought it was from the IT HAPPENED LP , finally i found out it was first released on the SPEEDWAY LP

take care everyone
LIOR

#368183

As a song Western Union is a fairly weak re-write of the classic Return To Sender. The saving grace of WU is the performance of Elvis & company.

#368254

What a no-brainer

Torben · #368255

Western Union is a nice song.

When I was younger I rather disliked Return to Sender and at that time would have preferred Western Union.

But these days it's Return to Sender for me.

#368263

It's a strange question. Almost like asking if you prefer Hound Dog or Don't Be Cruel.

#368265

#368279

Thanks Statler and Waldorf...now where's Fozzie the Bear to vote with the rest of us Pointless People.

You should be grateful we aren't still discussing the ramblings of someone dissing FTD's

#368292

Wait a minute, these are two different songs???

Tom

#368305

Elvis_Priestly wrote:Two songs which are SO alike musically, lyrically and thematically. Western Union sounds like a follow up to the story that begins in Return to Sender. I'm not sure if that was deliberate or just fortuitous, but which of them would you prefer and why?

I'm voting Western Union, because I love continuing stories and somehow, musically, it just has the edge for me.

Why is this even a poll?

"Return To Sender" is the Otis Blackwell original, and a stone classic Presley cut. "Western Union" was a cheap attempt to copy the Blackwell song and it was indicative of Elvis' decline as an artist that he even chose to record it.

It's an embarrassment to listen to in the context of his career, let alone for pleasure.

FYI -- Elvis His Life A-Z is loaded with factual inaccuracies. If you want a better recommendation, feel free.

#368340

It was probably no coincidence that Western union was the last 1963 non movie studio track to be released....

//Björn

#368342

dreambear wrote:It was probably no coincidence that Western union was the last 1963 non movie studio track to be released....

Well, Elvis did cut it at a studio session but it has 'Elvis soundtrack song' written all over it.

Must have been a reject from some film or other..............

#368351

#368352

Mike S wrote:Little Darlin wrote:
...now where's Fozzie the Bear to vote with the rest of us Pointless People.
I think you'll find he's already voted.

Rumour has it that he started this thread.

Awww...now that's just mean!!

#368355

#368357

For all those who think this is worthless/pointless/strange, or whatever else made it so appealing you just had to leap in, something to suit your usual preferences:

"Western Onion: FTD did a fine job of this, its only a shame they didn't include it in the CBS spatial. Would the Beatles have made a better job of it?" - Discuss

(something there for everyone I think)

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