“Money Honey / One Sided Love Affair” (1956): Elvis Presley and the Sounds That Shaped His Early RCA Years

"The single that showcased Elvis Presley’s versatility in his beginnings"

Elvis Presley The King
22 de August de 2022
Discography, Elvis History, Elvis Presley, Elvis Songs

“The single that showcased Elvis Presley’s versatility in his beginnings”

In 1956, Elvis Presley was revolutionizing music with every release. Among them, the single “Money Honey / One Sided Love Affair” became a key piece to understand his consolidation as the central figure of rock and roll. These songs, recorded during Elvis’s first sessions with RCA Victor, reflected both his rhythm & blues roots and his ability to approach pop music with unmatched freshness.

Elvis Presley Discography (1956): "Money Honey - One Sided Love Affair"

Historical context

The year 1956 was decisive for Elvis Presley. After leaving Sun Records and signing with RCA Victor in late 1955, his first releases began climbing the charts and sparking an unprecedented cultural phenomenon. Within this context, the single “Money Honey / One Sided Love Affair” appeared, combining two songs of great expressive power.
Although it wasn’t one of his most heavily promoted singles, its importance lies in showing the wide musical spectrum Elvis could cover in a single release: from African-American rhythm & blues to accessible pop aimed at mass audiences.

Money Honey

Origin: Written by Jesse Stone, originally recorded by The Drifters in 1953.
Elvis’s version: Recorded during his early RCA sessions, it preserves the strength of rhythm & blues, with a vibrant vocal performance full of youthful energy.
Style: Rock and roll with strong R&B roots, marked by an intense rhythm and passionate delivery.
Significance: Reflects Elvis’s deep connection with African-American music, a cornerstone of his style and of the cultural fusion that defined his career.

One Sided Love Affair

Composition: Written by Bill Campbell.
Style: A pop-flavored track, light and melodic, highlighted by rhythmic piano and Elvis’s playful voice.
Particularity: It was the only Bill Campbell composition recorded by Elvis, showcasing a fun and youthful side, contrasting with the intensity of “Money Honey.”
Importance: Represents the more accessible and mainstream side of Elvis’s early repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt across genres.

Impact and legacy

This single was part of the foundational material that fueled Elvis’s explosive year in 1956, when he also released major hits like “Heartbreak Hotel” and his first self-titled album.
Though it did not achieve the same commercial success as his top hits, it remains essential for understanding his artistic versatility.
Both songs helped shape Elvis’s dual image: rebellious yet youthful, intense yet playful.
Today, the single is valued by collectors and fans who seek to explore the roots of his RCA career.

Conclusion

The single “Money Honey / One Sided Love Affair” (1956) reflects Elvis Presley’s first steps into large-scale recording. It reveals both his connection to African-American rhythm & blues and his ability to captivate the pop market. It stands as a testimony to his versatility and the immense potential that, in this crucial year, crowned him as the “King of Rock and Roll.”