"Mama Liked the Roses"
Single by Elvis Presley
A-side"The Wonder of You"
ReleasedApril 20, 1970
RecordedJanuary 15-16 and 21-22, 1969;[1][2] March 18-19, 1969;[3][4] March 31, 1970[5]
StudioAmerican Sound Studios, Memphis, Tennessee[6]
GenreGospel
Length2:36
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)John L. Christopher
Producer(s)Chips Moman, Felton Jarvis
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"Kentucky Rain"
(1970) 		"Mama Liked the Roses" / "The Wonder of You"
(1970) 		"I've Lost You" / "The Next Step Is Love"
(1970)

"Mama Liked the Roses" is a song by Elvis Presley released in 1970. The song was released as the B-side to "The Wonder of You" 45 single on April 20, 1970, and on the 1970 RCA Camden reissue of Elvis' Christmas Album.

Background

The song's basic track (guitar, two basses, piano, organ, and drums from The Memphis Boys, the house band for American Sound Studio) was recorded on January 15-16, 1969, without Elvis Presley present.[1] Elvis overdubbed his lead vocals and a harmony vocal part that was unused in the final master recording, on January 21-22, 1969.[2] Initial backing vocals were also recorded on January 21-22, 1969.[2] Strings and brass were overdubbed on March 18 and 19, 1969,[3][4] before a final backing vocal overdub was added on March 31, 1970.[5]

The song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in a pairing with "The Wonder of You".[7] The song was composed by Johnny Christopher, who also co-wrote "If You Talk in Your Sleep" and "Always on My Mind", both recorded by Elvis Presley.[8]

Personnel

Credits from Keith Flynn and Ernst Jorgensen's examination of session tapes and RCA and AFM paperwork.[1][2][3][4][5]

Overdubbed

Production staff

References

  1. ^ a b c Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: January 15-16, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: January 21-22, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 18, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 19, 1969". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Flynn, Keith. "Elvis Presley Recording Sessions: March 31, 1970". Keith Flynn's Elvis Presley Pages. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "Elvis Presley - Lyrics". lyrics.elvispresley.com.
  7. ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard. 2 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Mama Liked the Roses 45". 45cat.com.


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