You Don't Know Me.......Now that's a Good'un.

[Domino]

One of my ALL TIME favorite Elvis covered songs is "You Don't Know Me.
I may have first heard it in the movie "Clambake" or I may have first heard it when my Mom would sing it around the house.

Either way,it's been a special favorite of mine for it seems like a lifetime now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Don%27t_Know_Me_Eddy_Arnold_song


Written by Cindy Walker ,and based on a title and story line given to her by Eddy Arnold in 1955.

bookcover.php.jpg

Quoted from Eddy Arnold's book :
"Cindy Walker, who had supplied Eddy with "Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me" (a number one country record in 1949 and Eddy's first Cindy Walker release), recalled discussing the idea for "You Don't Know Me" with Eddy as she was leaving one of Nashville's annual disc-jockey conventions. "I went up to the Victor suite to tell Steve Sholes good-bye," she explained, "and just as I was leaving, Eddy came in the door."

Walker remembered him saying, "I got a song title for you... 'You Don't Know Me.'"

"But I know you," teased Walker.

"This is serious, replied Eddy, who proceeded to outline his idea.

The songwriter promised to let the idea stew in her head for a while. And soon, she remembered, the lyrics tumbled onto the page. "The song just started singing. It sort of wrote itself..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Walker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Arnold

First recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1955 and released April 21, 1956 on the RCA label.

You Don't Know Me.jpg

..

The first charted version was recorded by Jerry Vale in 1956 and peaking at #14 on Billboard .

index.jpg

..

Eddy Arnold's recording charted 2 months later at #10.

This great song was recorded by many artists over it's long history.
From Ray Charles (who took it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962) a single from the legendary Country/Soul album - "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music"

ModernSoundsInC&WMusic.jpg

..

to Mickey Gilley in 1981.From Patti Page in 1961 to Jackie Wilson in 1965.

..

But since this in the Elvis Forum,I can't not mention the Elvis recording.

Elvis recorded "You Don't Know Me" for the film "Clambake" on February 21 & 22, 1967.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clambake_album

..

He later re-recorded this track on Sept. 11, 1967.

..

My favorite take of "You Don't Know Me" was take 2 that appeared on the "So High" FTD CD.

i284008264477320994._szw480h1280_.jpg

But there is one more version of the song that I really like,for other reasons.
It wasn't a record but a home recording done in the early to mid 70's .
That recording was by my Mom with my older brother playing the guitar.

I don't know who's version she heard but I would suspect it was Eddy Arnold.She was a teen 50's Elvis fan.
Later in the early 60's she became a fan of Loretta Lynn,Dottie West & Connie Smith.
Sang at jamboree's in the late 50's to early 60's with my Dad and her parents band-The Country Merry Makers.
Now in her early 70's,she still sings whenever the chance arrives,with my fiddle & guitar playing brothers.

This is that home recording put to pictures of her in the golden olden days.

..

This was recorded last year at Christmas for an afternoon of entertainment at a seniors facility .
An old Ray Price Song written by Bob Wills and Lee Ross called "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You."

..


This was videoed just 3 days ago on October 1st. My Mom singing You Don't Know Me.Still one of her all time favorites.

..

[colonel snow]

Other versions in 1956:

04-05-56 - Carmen McRea (Decca 29949);
00-06-56 - The Four Fellows (Glory 248).

colonel snow

[drjohncarpenter]

What a wonderful topic.

For a long time I went through a period where I had to listen to Elvis' RCA recording of "You Don't Know Me," it was so sincere. Even the film take, which I first got on a long-ago Bilko import EP, was pretty nice. But now my favorite may be the one you posted of your lovely mother singing it. What a treat, especially with all the vintage photos. Thank you so much for sharing this and the performance of "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You" from the senior's facility. They are just beautiful, and being so personal adds another dimension to them.

One of my ALL TIME favorite Elvis covered songs is "You Don't Know Me.
I may have first heard it in the movie "Clambake" or I may have first heard it when my Mom would sing it around the house.

Either way,it's been a special favorite of mine for it seems like a lifetime now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Don%27t_Know_Me_Eddy_Arnold_song


Written by Cindy Walker ,and based on a title and story line given to her by Eddy Arnold in 1955.

bookcover.php.jpg

Quoted from Eddy Arnold's book :
"Cindy Walker, who had supplied Eddy with "Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me" (a number one country record in 1949 and Eddy's first Cindy Walker release), recalled discussing the idea for "You Don't Know Me" with Eddy as she was leaving one of Nashville's annual disc-jockey conventions. "I went up to the Victor suite to tell Steve Sholes good-bye," she explained, "and just as I was leaving, Eddy came in the door."

Walker remembered him saying, "I got a song title for you... 'You Don't Know Me.'"

"But I know you," teased Walker.

"This is serious, replied Eddy, who proceeded to outline his idea.

The songwriter promised to let the idea stew in her head for a while. And soon, she remembered, the lyrics tumbled onto the page. "The song just started singing. It sort of wrote itself..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Walker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Arnold

First recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1955 and released April 21, 1956 on the RCA label.

You Don't Know Me.jpg

..

The first charted version was recorded by Jerry Vale in 1956 and peaking at #14 on Billboard .

index.jpg

..

Eddy Arnold's recording charted 2 months later at #10.

This great song was recorded by many artists over it's long history.
From Ray Charles (who took it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962) a single from the legendary Country/Soul album - "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music"

ModernSoundsInC&WMusic.jpg

..

to Mickey Gilley in 1981.From Patti Page in 1961 to Jackie Wilson in 1965.

..

But since this in the Elvis Forum,I can't not mention the Elvis recording.

Elvis recorded "You Don't Know Me" for the film "Clambake" on February 21 & 22, 1967.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clambake_album

..

He later re-recorded this track on Sept. 11, 1967.

..

My favorite take of "You Don't Know Me" was take 2 that appeared on the "So High" FTD CD.

i284008264477320994._szw480h1280_.jpg

But there is one more version of the song that I really like,for other reasons.
It wasn't a record but a home recording done in the early to mid 70's .
That recording was by my Mom with my older brother playing the guitar.

I don't know who's version she heard but I would suspect it was Eddy Arnold.She was a teen 50's Elvis fan.
Later in the early 60's she became a fan of Loretta Lynn,Dottie West & Connie Smith.
Sang at jamboree's in the late 50's to early 60's with my Dad and her parents band-The Country Merry Makers.
Now in her early 70's,she still sings whenever the chance arrives,with my fiddle & guitar playing brothers.

This is that home recording put to pictures of her in the golden olden days.

..

This was recorded last year at Christmas for an afternoon of entertainment at a seniors facility .
An old Ray Price Son written by Bob Wills and Lee Ross called "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You."

..

[Jim Dandy]

Love your mother's recording!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Eggrert]

I remember hearing this on Command Performances (it's the movie version), and I hated, hated, hated it. So much so that, when I got the 60s box, I skipped right over it, figuring that it was the same lousy version on the movie set. How wrong I was, I didn't discover until years later, when I got Sings Hits From His Movies (!), gave it a spin without looking particularly closely at the tracklist, and found myself floored by this fantastically gorgeous, moving song. I dug out Command Performances just long enough to convince myself that it was a completely different version, and I went back to (what I now know to be) the studio rendition. It's one of a handful of tracks that I'd gladly play to someone in an attempt to convince them that there's no better vocalist out there than Elvis.

[poormadpeter2]

I confess that, while the Elvis versions are nice, I've never really seen why people rave over them in quite the way they do, although I like the song well enough. The home recording here is beautiful in its simplicity and honesty. Something for you to treasure for always.

[Scarre]

You Don't Know Me...A beautiful ballad. It´s not the only good song from Clambake. Guitar Man, Singing Tree, Just Call Me Lonesome...Big Boss Man? No...the same goes for Little Sister...

[Dan_T]

Domino, great topic, and I love your Mums version ! thank you for posting.

I love Elvis's version. I knew the record version first and was a little shocked when I saw Clambake for the first time and Elvis' very different vocal.

[Domino]

What a wonderful topic.

For a long time I went through a period where I had to listen to Elvis' RCA recording of "You Don't Know Me," it was so sincere. Even the film take, which I first got on a long-ago Bilko import EP, was pretty nice. But now my favorite may be the one you posted of your lovely mother singing it. What a treat, especially with all the vintage photos. Thank you so much for sharing this and the performance of "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You" from the senior's facility. They are just beautiful, and being so personal adds another dimension to them.

Thank-you Doc.That's some mighty kind words.I'm going to have to tell my Mom that she's got some fans on the Elvis Forum.
Anytime I play an Elvis CD that has You Don't Know Me on it,I always play it first and most times I replay it.
He really does sing it very sincere.
I'm sure this topic has been covered in the past but I wanted to add my Mom's version and make it something different.
Very glad you enjoyed my topic.

[Juan Luis]

Just beautiful with your mother. Thanks for the share!

[Hobbes]

Wow! This is a nice topic and your mom's recording is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[r&b]

Your Mom has the best version!

[Domino]

Love your mother's recording!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Jim Dandy.
I think Mom may of had the dream of performing professionally long ago but family changed that.
She now in a way,lives her dream through my oldest brothers musical career.

[Domino]

I remember hearing this on Command Performances (it's the movie version), and I hated, hated, hated it. So much so that, when I got the 60s box, I skipped right over it, figuring that it was the same lousy version on the movie set. How wrong I was, I didn't discover until years later, when I got Sings Hits From His Movies (!), gave it a spin without looking particularly closely at the tracklist, and found myself floored by this fantastically gorgeous, moving song. I dug out Command Performances just long enough to convince myself that it was a completely different version, and I went back to (what I now know to be) the studio rendition. It's one of a handful of tracks that I'd gladly play to someone in an attempt to convince them that there's no better vocalist out there than Elvis.

I think when Elvis tackled this song his voice was exactly where it needed to be.The great vocalist he was gets overshadowed by the Rock star.He really could do it all.He just needed a song that he cared about.

[Domino]

I confess that, while the Elvis versions are nice, I've never really seen why people rave over them in quite the way they do, although I like the song well enough. The home recording here is beautiful in its simplicity and honesty. Something for you to treasure for always.

Thank-you poormadpeter2. Songs are a to each his own deal.It's perfectly fine to not see a recording the same way others do.It's like Elvis said in an interview about everyone driving the same car and marrying the same woman.It wouldn't work out to well.
Thank-you for the compliment on my Mom's recording.I save all family recordings that I can get and I treasure them all.

[Davelee]

Very nice post, Domino. Many thanks for sharing this. I like this song by most people, it is essentially a good song and it's hard for anyone to do a bad version of it.

Give my best wishes to your mum.

[Domino]

Domino, great topic, and I love your Mums version ! thank you for posting.

I love Elvis's version. I knew the record version first and was a little shocked when I saw Clambake for the first time and Elvis' very different vocal.

Thanks D_T. I was quite surprised to hear it in Clambake too.Most other songs in his film were specially written for the film but this one was hit song long before.

Your Mom has the best version!

Thank-you r&b.

Wow! This is a nice topic and your mom's recording is just wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Hobbes.

Just beautiful with your mother. Thanks for the share!

Thank-you Juan Luis.

Thanks, Domino. That's a wonderful post and your mum's rendition of You Don't Know Me is delightful.

With regards to the song itself, Elvis’s (second) recording is a favourite of mine. It's one of his best recordings of the 1960s, in my opinion, and finds him on truly outstanding form. Less so with regards to the version recorded for Clambake, although the arrangement here is splendid, with concerto-style piano and beautifully played string sections. It's one of the most classically-inspired pieces of any Elvis recording.

This said, I'm glad he returned to the song, whilst I also like the arrangement used for Elvis’s second version of You Don't Know Me. It's less ambitious, but no less accomplished, with evocative piano lines and rich male harmonies. But Elvis is so very, very good here. Singing with confidence and clarity, his phrasing and enunciation exquisite and the emotion of the song conveyed beautifully.

There's such a broad range of emotional and musical expression in his singing, with Elvis capturing every nuance of the lyrics with a remarkable performance that has feeling but also intelligence. He understands the words and meaning of the song so well, and with no hint of bravura and a complete lack of indulgence, Elvis is controlled, passionate and moving. He was undoubtedly one of the finest ballad singers of all-time and this recording is testament to that.

I'm equally fond of Ray Charles` magnificent recording of You Don't Know Me. Ray found depths of his own when he recorded this song, which he wrung every drop of emotion out of. There's also Willie Nelson`s version, from his 2006 album, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker. Nelson also found new depths in the song, which is incredibly robust. Willie has long been one of the masters at communicating a lyric and that hasn't diminished with age. This is such a fabulous recording, with a strong country flavour and Willie on ace form. It's a song that seems to bring out the best in singers.

..

Thanks Greystoke.Willie is indeed another guy who knew how to sing a song and make it sound the way it was meant to.

You Don't Know Me...A beautiful ballad. It´s not the only good song from Clambake. Guitar Man, Singing Tree, Just Call Me Lonesome...Big Boss Man? No...the same goes for Little Sister...

Yes.A lot of great songs came from those recording sessions.I guess that's why we say this was the beginning of the big comeback that lead to the big Comeback Special in 68.

[Will]

Always been a fan of this song......enjoy most versions but the king is the go too version for me

[Good Time Charlie]

Great post and lovely story and video from your Mother, what a voice. I enjoyed that better than most professional covers.

Elvis' second recording of the song is beautiful. One of the lesser known gems.

[bajo]

I fell in love with Elvis' version of this song through the single back then. Big Boss Man/You Don't Know Me brought such a fresh breeze into his fading chart appearances at the time. It truly is a wonderful rendition. But, when I saw Clambake for the first time, and heard the movie version, I was in shock! Was this the same artist performing the same song? I simply hate Elvis' movie version of this song!

[Ciscoking]

A wonderful song...I love it..!!!

[xmascarrol]

YOUR MUM'S RECORDING IS SOO SINCERE ITS A LOVELY VERSION, THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH US. Sorry why i was using capts i don't know lol. I loved the Elvis recording when i first heard it and then i heard the re-recording and thought it just went well with the film . Not the greatest song but too me Elvis's is the best. Willie Nelson recording is ok, i prefer his version of Always on my Mind to this recording. I never tried to sing Elvis version i always sing Willie's recording cause i dont mind mucking that up, Elvis songs need to be sang by a singer and thats not me. I do sing you dont know me but its my version nobody elses

[stevelecher]

I can't hear what everyone dislikes about the movie version. Elvis' voice is good and he conveys some pathos. The arrangement doesn't stand the test of time compared to the studio version but it's still a good soundtrack song, to my ears.

I'm very glad they didn't use take 2 of the studio version with that extra bass vocal accompaniment on the bridge. Who ever made that decision gets kudos from me.

[Domino]

Very nice post, Domino. Many thanks for sharing this. I like this song by most people, it is essentially a good song and it's hard for anyone to do a bad version of it.

Give my best wishes to your mum.

Thanks Davelee.
I haven't heard too many versions by other people but I have to agree that some songs are just too darn good to make a bad recording of it.
I'll pass along your best wishes for sure.

[Domino]

I fell in love with Elvis' version of this song through the single back then. Big Boss Man/You Don't Know Me brought such a fresh breeze into his fading chart appearances at the time. It truly is a wonderful rendition. But, when I saw Clambake for the first time, and heard the movie version, I was in shock! Was this the same artist performing the same song? I simply hate Elvis' movie version of this song!

I understand what your saying about the movie version compared to the record version.Maybe the whole difference is in what the recording was meant for.I'm sure at this point in his movie career he was totally fed up.It was like give the song,half heartedly record it and let's get out of here.
I like both versions but I do admit to liking the remake better.Especially the alternate take from the FTD.There seems to be a tone in that take that I don't hear in the released take.Well,anyway we have them all to choose from and pick our own favorites.