Introduction
“A Big Hunk o’ Love” is a lively rock and roll track by Elvis Presley, released on June 23, 1959, by RCA Victor. Written by Aaron Schroeder and Sidney Wyche, the song was recorded on June 10, 1958, during a brief session at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, marking Elvis’s first recording after his enlistment in the U.S. Army .
The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, featuring the distinctive “big-a big-a hunk o’ love” refrain, showcase Elvis’s playful side. The lyrics express a humorous plea for affection, with Elvis comparing his love interest to a beehive filled with honey and expressing that he isn’t greedy, just desiring all the love she has to offer .
Upon its release, “A Big Hunk o’ Love” achieved commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks in August 1959 . The single was paired with “My Wish Came True” as the B-side and was also released in the UK, where it peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart .
Elvis revived the song during his Las Vegas engagements in 1972 and continued to perform it in his live shows until 1974 . The track was later included in several of his compilation albums, such as “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong” (1959), “ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits” (2002), and “The Wonder of You” (2016) .
“A Big Hunk o’ Love” remains a testament to Elvis Presley’s enduring charm and musical versatility, capturing the essence of his playful and charismatic persona.