Introduction
“Elvis Is Back!” – and what a return it was. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, Elvis Presley re-entered the studio and, on March 20 1960, recorded what would become a defining moment in his career: “Stuck on You”. Just three days later, on March 23, RCA Victor released it swiftly—with a striking picture sleeve bearing the bold declaration: “Elvis’ 1st new recording for his 50,000,000 fans all over the world” . The song’s rapid production and rollout underscored the eagerness surrounding Elvis’s post-Army musical revival.
Penned by Aaron Schroeder and J. Leslie McFarland, “Stuck on You” diverged from Elvis’s raw rockabilly past, blending mellow rock‑and‑roll with country and pop influences to create a laid‑back, affectionate sound. Clocking in at a tight 2:18, the track presents a catchy, metaphor-rich chorus—“stuck on you like glue”—set over smooth acoustic guitar strums, gentle piano by Floyd Cramer, and backing vocals from The Jordanaires . Its tender yet upbeat vibe offered a fresh, emotionally warm side of Elvis.
The single was an immediate triumph: it blasted to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by late April 1960, halting Percy Faith’s nine-week reign with “Theme from A Summer Place,” and marked Elvis’s first chart-topper of the decade and thirteenth overall . It also claimed No. 6 on the R&B chart and reached No. 3 in the UK—a global confirmation that the King remained unstoppable.
The flip side, “Fame and Fortune,” recorded in Nashville, showcased Elvis’s evolving range in balladry and also found success, peaking at No. 17 . Elvis debuted both tracks on television during The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, filmed March 26—his first TV performance in years—solidifying his triumphant return.
In just a few weeks, “Stuck on You” reaffirmed Elvis’s relevance, highlighting his adaptability as an artist and paving the way for the deeper, more nuanced performances that would define his 1960s output.