A Little Less Conversation

Last updated

"A Little Less Conversation"
Elvis Presley A Little Less Conversation PS.jpg
The original picture sleeve of the 1968 single.
Single by Elvis Presley
from the album Almost in Love
A-side "Almost in Love"
ReleasedSeptember 3, 1968
RecordedMarch 7, 1968
Studio Western Recorders, Hollywood
Genre Rock and roll
Length2:28
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"Let Yourself Go" / "Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby"
(1968)		"Almost in Love" / "A Little Less Conversation"
(1968)		"If I Can Dream" / "Edge of Reality"
(1968)

"A Little Less Conversation" is a 1968 song recorded by American singer Elvis Presley, written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange and published by Gladys Music, Inc., originally performed in the film Live a Little, Love a Little . The song became a minor hit in the United States when released as a single with "Almost in Love" as the A-side. A 2002 remix by Dutch musician Junkie XL of a later re-recording of the song by Presley became a worldwide hit, topping the singles charts in nine countries and was awarded certifications in ten countries by 2003.

Contents

The song has made numerous appearances in popular culture and has been covered by several artists.

Original recordings

"A Little Less Conversation" was first recorded on March 7, 1968, at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California, and released on a single backed by "Almost in Love", another song from the movie. The song was not released on an LP until November 1970, when it was included on the RCA Camden budget label LP Almost in Love . There are several different takes that were made of the song in the session on March 7. The single version used take 16, which was also used for the soundtrack of the film. The version released on the Almost in Love album is take 10, which is 1 second longer in duration.

The musicians on the March 7 recording session included Hal Blaine, drums; Al Casey, guitar and Larry Knechtel, bass. [1]

1968 television special re-recording

It was thought Presley re-recorded the song in June 1968 for the soundtrack of his 1968 comeback special, with the intent of performing it during the program (in part due to Live a Little, Love a Little being scheduled for release about a month before the special's broadcast date). Ultimately, it was decided not to use this recording, and the song was dropped from the planned special. The newer version transposed the key of A major recording of three months earlier into E major and featured a vocal and heavy reverb with backup vocals from The Blossoms. [2] In the mid-1990s, Joseph A. Tunzi sold this recording to Bertelsmann Music Group and it was initially included on the 1998 release Memories: The '68 Comeback Special . Tunzi had been the first to document this recording in his 1996 book Elvis Sessions II: The Recorded Music of Elvis Aron Presley 1953-1977. [3] After the tapes from the original session were rediscovered, it is now known to be take 2, recorded on March 7, 1968.

Charts

Chart (1968)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [4] 69

Junkie XL / JXL remix

"A Little Less Conversation"
ElvisVSJXLCDSingleCover.jpg
Single by ELVIS VS JXL
from the album ELV1S: 30 No. 1 Hits
ReleasedJune 10, 2002 (2002-06-10)
Recorded
  • 1968 (original vocals and instrumental)
  • 2001 (remix)
Genre
Length
  • 3:30 (radio edit)
  • 6:09 (extended remix)
  • 6:22 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Junkie XL
  • Ad Bradley
Junkie XL singles chronology
"B Y Whop to the Y" / "Siyncho"
(2002)		"A Little Less Conversation"
(2002)		"Obsession"
(2002)
Audio sample

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [69] 2× Platinum140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria) [70] Gold15,000*
Belgium (BEA) [71] Gold25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [72] Platinum8,000^
France (SNEP) [73] Silver125,000*
Netherlands (NVPI) [74] Gold40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [75] Gold5,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway) [76] 2× Platinum20,000*
Sweden (GLF) [77] Platinum30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [78] Platinum40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [79] 2× Platinum1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [80] Gold500,000*
United States (RIAA) [81]
Video Single 		6× Platinum300,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United KingdomJune 10, 2002
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [82] [83]
JapanJune 12, 2002CD [30]
AustraliaJune 17, 2002 [84]
United StatesJuly 8, 2002Radio [85]

Related Research Articles

"Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. North wrote the music as a theme for the prison film Unchained (1955), hence the song title. Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack. It has since become a standard and one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, most notably by the Righteous Brothers in 1965. According to the song's publishing administrator, over 1,500 recordings of "Unchained Melody" have been made by more than 670 artists, in multiple languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Holkenborg</span> Dutch musician and composer

Tom Holkenborg, also known as Junkie XL, is a Dutch composer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, producer, and engineer. Originally known for his trance productions, he has moved to producing electronica and big beat music and film scores. His remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" became a worldwide hit in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suspicious Minds</span> 1968 single by Mark James

"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, Presley's RCA Victor Records version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<i>ELV1S: 30 No. 1 Hits</i> 2002 greatest hits album by Elvis Presley

Elvis: 30 #1 Hits is a greatest hits collection of songs by American rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. It was released by RCA Records on September 24, 2002. It is the first Elvis Presley album to feature the remix of "A Little Less Conversation" by JXL that was released earlier in the year and reached No. 1 in the UK, Australia and went on to become a number-one hit in over 20 countries.

<i>Elvis: 2nd to None</i> Album by Elvis Presley

2nd to None is a collection of songs by American rock and roll musician Elvis Presley. The album was released on October 7, 2003 by RCA Records as the sequel to the previous year's highly successful ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Help Falling in Love</span> 1961 single by Elvis Presley

"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a song written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss and published by Gladys Music, Inc. The melody is based on "Plaisir d'amour", a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. The song was initially written from the perspective of a woman as "Can't Help Falling in Love with Him", which explains the first and third line ending on "in" and "sin" rather than words rhyming with "you".

"Always on My Mind" is a ballad written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James, first recorded by Brenda Lee and first released by Gwen McCrae in March 1972. Lee's version was released three months later in June 1972. The song has been a crossover hit, charting in both the country and western and pop categories. Elvis Presley's recording was the first commercially successful version of the song.

"Mambo No. 5" is an instrumental mambo and jazz dance song originally composed and recorded by Cuban musician Dámaso Pérez Prado in 1949 and released the next year.

<i>Elvis</i> (1968 TV program) 1968 American television special

Singer Presents ... Elvis, commonly referred to as the '68 Comeback Special, is an Elvis Presley concert special that aired on NBC on December 3, 1968. It marked Presley's return to live performance after a seven-year period during which he focused on his film appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Flag (Dido song)</span> Song by English singer-songwriter Dido

"White Flag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Dido, released as the lead single from her second studio album, Life for Rent (2003). The song was first released to US radio on 7 July 2003 and was issued in the United Kingdom as a physical single on 1 September 2003. The song performed well on record charts around the world, peaking at number one in Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. In Dido's native UK, it reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, and in the United States, it climbed to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Christmas (song)</span> Song by Billy Hayes and J W. Johnson

"Blue Christmas" is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and most famously recorded by Elvis Presley, although it was first recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948. It is a tale of unrequited love during the holidays and is a longstanding staple of Christmas music, especially in the country genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing the Mood</span> 1989 single by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers

"Swing the Mood" is a song by British novelty pop music act Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, released as the first single from their debut album, Jive Bunny: The Album (1989). Produced by the father and son DJ team of Andy and John Pickles, "Swing the Mood" is a cut and paste record which fused a number of early rock and roll records with liberal use of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood".

<i>The Essential Elvis Presley</i> 2007 greatest hits album by Elvis Presley

The Essential Elvis Presley is a greatest hits collection by American rock and roll musician Elvis Presley. The album was released as a two-disc set on January 2, 2007, by RCA Records as a part of Sony BMG's The Essential series and was later released by RCA and Legacy Recordings as a Limited Edition 3.0 three-disc set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubberneckin'</span> Song performed by Elvis Presley

"Rubberneckin'" is a song performed by Elvis Presley, which was recorded at American Sound Studio. It was used in the film Change of Habit and subsequently issued as the B-side of "Don't Cry Daddy" in conjunction with the movie premiere. It reached number six in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Presley singles discography</span>

The singles discography of Elvis Presley began in 1954 with the release of his first commercial single, "That's All Right". Following his regional success with Sun Records, Presley was signed to RCA Victor on November 20, 1955. Presley's first single with RCA, "Heartbreak Hotel", was a worldwide hit, reaching the No. 1 position in four countries and the top 10 in many other countries. Other hit singles from the 1950s include "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", "Don't Be Cruel", "Hound Dog", "Love Me Tender", "Too Much", "All Shook Up", "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear", "Jailhouse Rock", "Don't", "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", "Hard Headed Woman", "One Night", "(Now & Then There's) A Fool Such as I", and "A Big Hunk o' Love". On March 24, 1958, Presley entered the United States Army at Memphis, Tennessee, and was stationed in Germany. He left active duty on March 5, 1960.

Dutch DJ Junkie XL has released six studio albums and multiple soundtrack albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Without Me (Eminem song)</span> 2002 single by Eminem

"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 13, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be Alright (Dean Lewis song)</span> 2018 single by Dean Lewis

"Be Alright" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Dean Lewis. The song was released in June 2018 as the lead single from Lewis' debut studio album, A Place We Knew. It reached number one and is certified 10× Platinum in Australia and multi platinum worldwide, including 5× Platinum in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant (Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man song)</span> 2019 single by Calvin Harris and RagnBone Man

"Giant" is a song by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris and English singer-songwriter Rag'n'Bone Man. The song was released through Columbia Records on 11 January 2019, and included on Harris' seventh studio album, 96 Months (2024). It was written by Rag'n'Bone Man alongside Jamie Hartman and Troy Miller and produced by Harris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head & Heart</span> Single by Joel Corry

"Head & Heart" is a song by British DJ and producer Joel Corry and British singer MNEK. It was released as a single on 3 July 2020. The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 2020, becoming the first chart-topper for both Corry and MNEK in their native country. The song has also entered the US Billboard Hot 100; it is the first and second entry on the chart for Joel Corry and MNEK, respectively. The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2021 Brit Awards.

References

  1. ↑ Jorgensen, Ernst, Elvis Presley, A Life in Music: The Complete Recording Sessions St. Martin's Press, New York, 1998 p. 243
  2. ↑ "Master & Session". elvisrecordings.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ Elvis Sessions II: The Recorded Music of Elvis Aron Presley 1953-1977, JAT Publishing, 1996, ISBN   1-88846401-1, Joseph A. Tunzi, Introduction by Al Pachucki, Pages 139 and 399
  4. ↑ "Elvis Presley Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Elvis Makes Chart History". BBC News World Edition. BBC. June 16, 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Elvis's Legacy —". Infoplease.com. 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  7. ↑ [ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Elvis and Oasis enjoy chart success". BBC News . July 7, 2002. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Christie holds on to chart reign". BBC News . May 1, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. ↑ "The ARIA Report: ARIA Club Tracks – 17th June 2002" (PDF). ARIA. June 17, 2002. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Issue 643" ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  15. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  16. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Canadian Digital Songs : Page 1". Billboard . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Oficiální česká hitparáda – 31/2002" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on August 11, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Tracklisten.
  21. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 20, no. 27. June 29, 2002. p. 7. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Elvis vs JXL: A Little Less Conversation" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  23. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in French). Les classement single.
  24. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  25. ↑ "Top 50 Singles" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 6, 2002. Retrieved October 6, 2002.
  26. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  27. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  28. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – A Little Less Conversation". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Top Digital Download.
  30. 1 2 "ア・リトル・レス・カンヴァセーション | エルヴィス・プレスリー" [A Little Less Conversation | Elvis Presley] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  32. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  33. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Top 40 Singles.
  34. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". VG-lista.
  35. ↑ "Polish Airplay Charts – Lista krajowa 39/2002". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Arhiva romanian top 100 Editia 31, saptamina 5.08–11.08, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on May 14, 2005. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  38. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" Canciones Top 50.
  39. 1 2 "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Singles Top 100.
  40. ↑ "Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  42. ↑ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  43. ↑ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  44. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  45. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  46. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Club Chart 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  47. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Dance Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  48. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2002". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2002" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  53. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2002" (in French). SNEP . Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Best of Singles 2002". IRMA . Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  59. ↑ "End of Year Charts 2002". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  60. ↑ "Tabla 17 Lista de CD Singles/Maxi más vendidos en el año 2002" [Table 17 List of Best-Selling Singles / Maxi CDs in 2002] (in Spanish). AFYVE. p. 281. Retrieved November 11, 2021.Click on Música grabada.
  61. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2002" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  62. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  63. ↑ "2002 Year-end Charts" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Most Broadcast Of 2002 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week . January 18, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  65. ↑ "ChartsPlusYE2005" (PDF). UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  66. ↑ "2009 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Decennium Charts - Singles 2000-2009". MegaCharts (in Dutch). Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  68. ↑ BBC Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by DJ Nihal on December 29, 2009
  69. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  70. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Elvis vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  71. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  72. ↑ "Single Top-20 Uge 40, 2002". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  73. ↑ "French single certifications – Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012.
  74. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Elvis Presley vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved May 10, 2019.Enter A Little Less Conversation in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2002 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  75. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Elvis vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation". Recorded Music NZ.
  76. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  77. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2002" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
  78. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('A Little Less Conversation')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  79. ↑ "British single certifications – Elvis vs JXL – A Little Less Conversation". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  80. ↑ "American single certifications – Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation". Recording Industry Association of America.
  81. ↑ "American videosingle certifications – Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation". Recording Industry Association of America.
  82. ↑ Hubner, Miriam (June 8, 2002). "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 24. p. 12. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  83. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 June 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 8, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  84. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 17th June 2002" (PDF). ARIA. June 17, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  85. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1460. July 5, 2002. p. 29. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.