‘Suspicious Minds’ is a 1968 song written and first recorded by the American songwriter Mark James. After this recording failed commercially, it was recorded by Elvis Presley with the producer Chips Moman. Presley's version reached No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, his 18th and final no. 1 single on that chart. In 1999, the 1969 recording by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Written in 1968 by Mark James, who was also the co-writer of ‘Always on My Mind’ (which Presley would later record), the song was first recorded and released by James on Scepter Records in 1968. James said that late one night, he was fooling around on his Fender guitar and using his Hammond organ pedals for a bass line and came up with what he thought was a catchy melody. At the time, he was married to his first wife but still had feelings for his childhood sweetheart, who was married back in Houston. James's wife had suspicions about his feelings. He felt it was a confusing time for him and that all three were "caught in this trap that they could not walk out of." At the recording session, James sang the lead vocals and the studio band backed him. Scepter Records loved the song and put it out, but they did not have the money to promote new artists and the song did not make the charts.
Later that year, Presley had booked the Scepter Records studio to record what would become the From Elvis in Memphis album. It was felt that Presley needed a mature rock 'n' roll song to bring him back, as Tom Jones was a popular artist at the time. Record executives thought of ‘Suspicious Minds’ and Mark James began urging others to get Presley to hear it. Though James's recording had not been commercially successful, upon reviewing the song, Presley decided he could turn it into a hit.
‘Suspicious Minds’ was a product of a session that took place between 4 and 7 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 1969. Future Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux sang backing vocals on the track. This was one of the singles that revived Presley's chart success in the U.S., following his '68 Comeback Special. It was his 18th and last No.1 single in the United States. In December 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Label – Scepter
Songwriter – Mark James
Producer – Chips Moman
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]We're caught in a trap, I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Why can't you see what you're doin' to me
When you don't believe a word I say?
[Chorus]
We can't go on together
With suspicious minds (With suspicious minds)
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds
[Verse 2]
So if an old friend I know stops by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?
Here we go again, asking where I've been
You can't see the tears are real, I'm cryin' (Yes, I'm cryin')
[Chorus]
We can't go on together
With suspicious minds (With suspicious minds)
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds
[Bridge]
Oh, let our love survive
I'll dry the tears from your eyes
Let's don't let a good thing die
When, honey, you know I've never lied to you
Mmm, yeah, yeah
[Verse 1]
We're caught in a trap, I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Why can't you see what you're doin' to me
When you don't believe a word I say?
[Outro]
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby
Well, don't you know I'm caught in a trap? I can't walk out
Because I love you too much, baby