About the Song
The story of Elvis Presley’s “My Happiness” is a fascinating glimpse into the nascent stages of a legendary career, a moment captured before the world truly knew the name Elvis. Recorded in July 1953 at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, this wasn’t a formal recording session in the way we understand it today. Instead, it was a personal endeavor, a young man with a dream paying four dollars to cut an acetate disc – a direct-to-disc recording – of two songs: “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.”
This wasn’t intended for commercial release at the time. As the story goes, Elvis wanted to hear what he sounded like, and perhaps intended to give the record to his mother, Gladys. The choice of “My Happiness,” a sentimental ballad that had been a hit for several artists before him, reveals an early inclination towards heartfelt expression, a vulnerability that would later be both a strength and a point of discussion in his artistry. The song, written by Betty Peterson Blasco and Borney Bergantine and published in 1948, speaks of longing and finding solace in a loved one’s return.
The atmosphere at Sun Studio, under the guidance of Sam Phillips, was informal yet brimming with potential. These early recordings were raw, unpolished, capturing the essence of a young man finding his voice. There were no elaborate arrangements or studio trickery, just Elvis’s earnest vocals accompanied by his guitar. This simplicity lends a unique charm to “My Happiness,” offering a stark contrast to the later, more produced sound that would define his global stardom.
The acetate disc of “My Happiness” holds a significant place in music history. It’s a tangible artifact from a pivotal moment, a stepping stone on the path to rock and roll revolution. The fact that this personal recording eventually surfaced and became part of Elvis’s official discography speaks volumes about the enduring interest in his origins. It allows us to hear him before the fame, before the screaming crowds, just a young man exploring his musical aspirations.
The journey of this particular recording highlights the serendipitous nature of early rock and roll. It wasn’t always about meticulously planned releases; sometimes, magic happened in the most unassuming of circumstances. “My Happiness” is a testament to that, a quiet ballad that inadvertently became an early chapter in the extraordinary story of Elvis Presley, the future King of Rock and Roll. It reminds us that even the most iconic figures have humble beginnings, and that every journey starts with a single step, or in this case, a four-dollar acetate disc cut on a summer day in Memphis.