Apron Strings

Post by **Christopher Brown** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:02 pm

Even with lyrics in hand while listening to Elvis perform Apron Strings on Elvis in A Private Moment, I have immense trouble trying to decipher the lyrics he actually sings. Has anyone had any luck, and could you share it?

Post by **Brian Quinn** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:29 pm

Christopher Brown wrote:Even with lyrics in hand while listening to Elvis perform Apron Strings on Elvis in A Private Moment, I have immense trouble trying to decipher the lyrics he actually sings. Has anyone had any luck, and could you share it?

The Lyrics for the song are as follows and may help:

It's good to be free, like the water and the breeze
To come and to go, whenever I please
Well, honey your love is a clipping my wings
I just wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

Well kiss you goodnight and then what do I do
I hurry on home and dream about you
It's crazy I know, but it's one of those things
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

Well, you touch my hand and it burns like a fire
You kiss my lips and the flame grows higher
Such a lucky devil to find a little lady like you

So I'm crossing my heart and I'm telling no lies
So hold me real close and close your eyes
I'm stickin' real close, like I need to cling
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

So I kiss you goodnight and then what do I do
I hurry on home and dream about you
It's crazy I know, but it's a one of those things
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

Well, you touch my hand and it burns like a fire
You kiss a my lips and the flame grows higher
Such a lucky devil to find a little lady like you

So crossing my heart and I'm telling no lies
So hold me real close and close your eyes
I'm a stickin' real close, like a I need to cling
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings.

Brian

Post by **Christopher Brown** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:40 pm

As I said, even with lyrics in hand, I can't clearly figure out which ones Elvis is singing.

Post by **jurasic1968** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 11:05 pm

Well, after I listened to Cliff Richard's version I am sorry that Elvis didn't record in studio this excellent song.

Post by **mysterytrainrideson** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:36 pm

jurasic1968 wrote:Well, after I listened to Cliff Richard's version I am sorry that Elvis didn't record in studio this excellent song.

It's a great song by Cliff and written by Tepper/Bennett - two of Elvis' regular songwriters. The song was originally demoed at Sun records by obscure artist Curtis Hoback, it can be found on B. Families "That'll Flat Git It" CD series.

Post by **jurasic1968** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:14 pm

Thanks for the information. In my opinion Apron Strings was one of the best songs written by Tepper and Bennett.

Post by **colonel snow** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 6:04 pm

Perhaps Elvis heard this original version as recorded on 02-02-59 by Billy the Kid (Kapp K 261); however it's not written by Tepper-Bennett according to the label.
Cliff Richard & The Drifters recorded the single version on 25-05-59 ; the LP version was recorded on 09-02-59. Songwriters Weiss- Schroeder are mentioned here too.
Curtis Hobock recorded a version in 1959 for Sun records but this version was not released at the time.

colonel snow

Post by **JimmyCool** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 6:22 pm

From David Neale's site:

Apron Strings recorded by Elvis on April (or later), 1959; Informal
Written by: Weiss; Schroeder
Originally recorded by: Billy The Kid in 1959 Play button Pause button
Hear Elvis's version on: Platinum: A Life In Music; In A Private Moment

Billy The Kid recorded this song on 12 January 1959 (probably); it was released on 2 February 1959 on Kapp K-261X with the song "I Hardly Know Me" on the B-side. This seems to be the only record ever made by this mysterious individual—nobody seems to know anything about this particular Billy The Kid, though one report suggests that he was none other than David Hill, the person responsible for the original version of "All Shook Up." Little David (also a Schroeder, so perhaps he was writer Aaron Schroeder's son) also recorded the number in 1959 for US release, as did Jay B. Loyd (together with Bill Black's Combo, no less), and somehow or other, the relatively new British excuse for a rock'n'roller, Cliff Richard, also got hold of the number and recorded it a little later.

On the set "Platinum: A Life In Music" the number is included as part of a track called "The Bad Nauheim Medley," (Elvis's house was in Bad Nauheim), which further includes "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," "I Will Be True," "It's Been So Long Darling" and "There's No Tomorrow."

Original Recording Label of Apron Strings by Billy The Kid

Post by **mysterytrainrideson** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 6:29 pm

colonel snow wrote:Perhaps Elvis heard this original version as recorded on 02-02-59 by Billy the Kid (Kapp K 261); however it's not written by Tepper-Bennett according to the label.
Cliff Richard & The Drifters recorded the single version on 25-05-59 ; the LP version was recorded on 09-02-59. Songwriters Weiss- Schroeder are mentioned here too.
Curtis Hobock recorded a version in 1959 for Sun records but this version was not released at the time.

colonel snow

Yes, you're right about the writing credits, got mixed up there. The Curtis Hobock version was a demo and wasn't meant to be released, its quite possible Elvis heard this version, it's been said that when Freddy Beinstock and the Aberbach's visited Elvis in Germany they bought some demos along with them for Elvis' consideration for his return to the state's "Apron Strings" was among them. Somehow orthe other the song got to Cliff.

Post by **kevanbudd** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:18 pm

Elvis recieved a demo of `Apron strings` cut at `Regent sound studios`.
While the singer is not credited, it featured the exact same recording as the `Billy the kid` performance.

..

Kevan Budd

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:45 pm

It appears "Billy the Kid" was musician, songwriter and actor David Hill, AKA David Hess.

LETTERS

With regard to the ever excellent Spencer Leigh’s article celebrating Cliff Richard’s rock’n’roll years (RC354), I would just like to add that there was an American cover version of Living Doll by David Hill issued on the Kapp label in 1959 which spent two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at No 92. With regard to the B-side of Cliff’s single, Apron Strings, this was originally recorded in 1958 and issued in 1959 as a single in America by Billy The Kid again on the Kapp Label. Billy The Kid was in fact the one and only David Hill!.
by Harold Eastwood

Record Collector, December 2008
http://recordcollectormag.com/letters/cliff-riff

The demo disc made in London may have been done by Freddy Bienstock, and taken from the U.S. Kapp single. Hess wrote at least three songs for Elvis Presley:

1958: "I Got Stung" (Aaron Schroeder, David Hill)
1965: "Come Along" (David Hess)
1965: "Sand Castles" (Herb Goldberg, David Hess)

As "David Hill" he also cut the first cover of "All Shook Up," issued about a month after Presley's RCA 45 was issued in March 1957:

..
David Hill, "All Shook Up" (Aladdin 3359, April 6, 1957)
Note prominent use of saxophone.

Hess went on to have a varied and successful life in the entertainment business. He passed away in October 2011:

David Hess
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hess

David Hess, Corte Madera songwriter and actor, dies at 75
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_19116641

Post by **RichardJefan** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 11:04 pm

The song "Apron Strings" is still performed regularly in concert by another UK legend: Marty Wilde - at age 76 still rocking the house.

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 11:49 pm

RichardJefan wrote:The song "Apron Strings" is still performed regularly in concert by another UK legend: Marty Wilde - at age 76 still rocking the house.

Wonder if he knew David Hess?

Post by **RichardJefan** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 1:34 am

kevanbudd wrote:Elvis recieved a demo of `Apron strings` cut at `Regent sound studios`.
While the singer is not credited, it featured the exact same recording as the `Billy the kid` performance.
Kevan Budd

It's also possible that Elvis received a demo of Jay B. Loyd's (together with Bill Black's Combo) recording of "Apron Strings" (recorded early 1959 for Hi Tenn. - but originally unissued) from Bob Neal. Jay B. Loyd and Elvis knew each other, because Bob Neal met Jay the first time at a party of Elvis in late 1957 or early 1958. It was Bob Neal who arranged Jay B. Loyd's early recordings for ABC Paramount in New York. For more details you better ask Colin Escott - he knows for sure.

..

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:44 am

RichardJefan wrote:
kevanbudd wrote:Elvis recieved a demo of `Apron strings` cut at `Regent sound studios`.
While the singer is not credited, it featured the exact same recording as the `Billy the kid` performance.
Kevan Budd
It's also possible that Elvis received a demo of Jay B. Loyd's (together with Bill Black's Combo) recording of "Apron Strings" (recorded early 1959 for Hi Tenn. - but originally unissued) from Bob Neal. Jay B. Loyd and Elvis knew each other, because Bob Neal met Jay the first time at a party of Elvis in late 1957 or early 1958. It was Bob Neal who arranged Jay B. Loyd's early recordings for ABC Paramount in New York. For more details you better ask Colin Escott - he knows for sure.

..

Why would Elvis get two demos of the same song? My money is on the Billy The Kid (AKA David Hill, AKA David Hess) recording. It's just a shame the song isn't top-shelf.

Post by **jurasic1968** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 5:13 pm

Doc, i agree completely. To me in my opinion this song is one of the best Rock and Roll music made in the 50's.

Post by **MysteryTrain** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:06 pm

After listening to the various versions posted here I find that each singer adds his own nuances, but basically the lyrics go like this:

Well it’s good to be free, like the wanderin’ breeze
To come and to go, whenever I please
But honey your love is clippin’ my wings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

I kiss you goodnight and then what do I do
I hurry on home to dream about you
It’s crazy I know, just one of those things
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

You touch my hand and I burn like fire
You kiss my lips and the flame grows higher
I’m such a lucky devil to find a little angel like you

I’m crossing my heart and I’m tellin’ no lie
So open your arms and close your eyes
I’m stickin’ real close, like ivy that cling
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

You touch my hand and I burn like fire
You kiss my lips and the flame grows higher
I’m such a lucky devil to find a little angel like you

Well I’m crossing my heart and I’m tellin’ no lie
So open your arms and close your eyes
Well I’m stickin’ real close, like ivy that cling

I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

MT

Post by **colonel snow** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:39 pm

The recording by Jay B. LLoyd is probably recorded on 4 may 1959 for Hi records (Tennessee); it was unreleased at the time but it was released on LP Memphis Saturday night (Zu-Zazz Z2005 - England) in 1990.

colonel snow

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:54 pm

jurasic1968 wrote:Doc, i agree completely. To me in my opinion this song is one of the best Rock and Roll music made in the 50's.

My comment, though, was that "Apron Strings" is not top-shelf. The melody and rhythm are OK, although a bit derivative, but the lyrics of a guy chasing around a woman who can be his wife are kind of the antithesis of rock 'n' roll. It may be why Elvis never cut an official version.

MysteryTrain wrote:I always thought the first line was "It's good to be free, like the wandering breeze." Also, I always thought this line was "I'm stickin' real close, like ivy clings."

I agree completely.

Since we've posted the others, here's the man himself, rockin' the domestic bop:

..
Elvis Presley "Apron Strings" In A Private Moment (RCA/Follow That Dream, December 1, 1999)
Amalgam of two solo piano demos, Bad Nauheim, Germany - circa June 1959

Post by **jurasic1968** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:02 pm

Doc, comparing Elvis's version to Cliff Richard's version of this song I still regret that Elvis Presley didn't record the song on studio. It could be a great follow up to the "A Big Hunk of Love" single.

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:40 pm

jurasic1968 wrote:Doc, comparing Elvis's version to Cliff Richard's version of this song I still regret that Elvis Presley didn't record the song on studio. It could be a great follow up to the "A Big Hunk of Love" single.

For my two cents, "Apron Strings" would have been a big comedown, following that aggressive, lascivious #1 rocker.

Post by **mysterytrainrideson** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 9:08 pm

drjohncarpenter wrote:
jurasic1968 wrote:Doc, comparing Elvis's version to Cliff Richard's version of this song I still regret that Elvis Presley didn't record the song on studio. It could be a great follow up to the "A Big Hunk of Love" single.
For my two cents, "Apron Strings" would have been a big comedown, following that aggressive, lascivious #1 rocker.

It would have gone down well in one of his movies or suited for something like "Pot Luck".

Mind you, I do like the song, its not killer material but its ok.

Post by **jurasic1968** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:41 pm

Yeah, a lot better than Shoppin' Around, Slicin' Sand, Rock A Hula Baby, Girls! Girls! Girls! or One Broken Heart for Sale, just to name a few of Elvis's "rockers" in the 60's movies.

Post by **MysteryTrain** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:24 am

Doc is right. It appears that it was the Billy The Kid (David Hess) version that Elvis heard. This version seems to use the verse "You press my lips and the flame grows higher" which sounds like the verse Elvis used. I think the word "kiss" instead of "press" makes more sense and seems to have replaced it in later versions.

Here are the lyrics I've derived from the various versions:

Well it’s good to be free, like the wanderin’ breeze
To come and to go, whenever I please [some sing "wherever"]
But honey your love is clippin’ my wings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

I kiss you goodnight and then what do I do
I hurry on home to dream about you
It’s crazy I know, just one of those things
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

You touch my hand and I burn like fire
You kiss my lips and the flame grows higher [some sing "press"]
I’m such a lucky devil to find a little angel like you

I’m crossing my heart and I’m tellin’ no lie
So open your arms and close your eyes
I’m stickin’ real close, like ivy that clings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

You touch my hand and I burn like fire
You kiss my lips and the flame grows higher [some sing "press"]
I’m such a lucky devil to find a little angel like you

Well I’m crossing my heart and I’m tellin’ no lie
So open your arms and close your eyes
I’m stickin’ real close, like ivy that clings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings
I wanna be tied, tied, tied to your apron strings

MT

Post by **brian** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:58 am

jurasic1968 wrote:Yeah, a lot better than Shoppin' Around, Slicin' Sand, Rock A Hula Baby, Girls! Girls! Girls! or One Broken Heart for Sale, just to name a few of Elvis's "rockers" in the 60's movies.

I liked Shoppin around it probably could have been a #1 hit if it had been a single in 1960.

For Elvis CD Collectors

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