“I’m a Roustabout”, the rejected song
“I’m a Roustabout”…. It is highly unusual for a track recorded by an artist, particularly one of Elvis’s caliber, to be lost, much less forgotten.
It is understood that many of the takes from Elvis’s many recording sessions are lost or erased forever, but the discovery of a forgotten master occurs very rarely.
Yet this is exactly what happened in 2003 with the discovery of “I’m a Roustabout.” It essentially began because of a conversation between songwriter Winfield Scott and a New Jersey journalist in which he casually mentioned that he had an unreleased Elvis song in his possession.
In an effort to validate Scott’s claim, the journalist mentioned it in an interview with Elvis’s catalogue custodian, Ernst Jørgensen. As soon as he heard Winfried Scott’s name, Jørgensen immediately knew it could only be the mythical and lost song “I’m a Roustabout.”
The song was originally intended to be the theme song for the 1964 Elvis movie, and was written by Scott and Otis Blackwell, but producer Hal Wallis turned it down, so a new title track was commissioned. Scott also said that he had found the acetate in his New Jersey basement and when Jorgensen contacted him, he was happy to play it for her over the phone.
Scott later granted RCA access to the recording and it was included as a bonus track on the hit album “Elvis – Second to None”, the follow-up to “30 #1 Hits”.
Prior to its release, then-Executive Vice President of BMG Strategic Marketing Group Joe DiMuro said in a press release: “‘I’m A Roustabout’” is truly one of the most incredible discoveries in modern music.
Rarely do we find unreleased material from an artist of Elvis’ caliber, and having a full track is even more unique. We are thrilled to be able to share this gift with music lovers around the world through “Elvis 2nd to None.”
The song’s composer added: “…it is very gratifying to me that this song is finally being released. I hope it brings Elvis fans as much joy as it did to me and Otis when we originally wrote it. Enjoy!”
Source: Elvis Presley. His Truth Is Marching On
Information provided by Elvis Shop Argentina. https://www.facebook.com/elvis.shop.argentina/
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