Introduction
“Rock-A-Hula Baby” is an upbeat pop-rock song by Elvis Presley, featured in his 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Released as a single on November 21, 1961, it was paired with the ballad “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on the RCA Victor 45 RPM record. The song was recorded on March 23, 1961, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California, during a session that produced several tracks for the Blue Hawaii album. The track was produced by Steve Sholes and written by Ben Weisman, Fred Wise, and Dolores Fuller. Notably, “Rock-A-Hula Baby” was Fuller’s first published song, and she would go on to co-write a dozen songs for Presley .
Musically, “Rock-A-Hula Baby” blends elements of Hawaiian folk music with rock and roll, reflecting the film’s tropical setting. The song features Hawaiian instruments like the ukulele and steel guitar, alongside standard rock elements such as saxophone and drums, played by top musicians like Hank Garland and Boots Randolph . The upbeat track, complete with a catchy “rock-a-hula” refrain, was a standout piece in the film, reflecting Elvis’ charm and the film’s exotic island atmosphere.
“Rock-A-Hula Baby” achieved notable chart success. In the United States, it peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard pop singles chart and reached No. 1 in Australia and the Philippines. In the United Kingdom, where it was a double A-sided release with “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” it peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1962 and spent four weeks at the chart summit .
The song’s playful energy and Elvis’ charismatic performance made it a memorable part of both his musical legacy and his extensive film career.