In the United Kingdom, 'Always on My Mind' was the hit song while 'Separate Ways' was the B-side. It was listed as a double A-side, reaching number 16 on Billboard 's Hot Country Singles chart in November 1972. The song was released as the B-side of the ' Separate Ways' single, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of one million units. The song received immense fame and critical appreciation and is considered one of Presley's standout songs of the 1970s. '' Elvis Presley version 'Always on My Mind'Įlvis Presley recorded 'Always on My Mind' on March 29, 1972, a few weeks after his February separation from his wife, Priscilla. It’s sort of like all guys who screw up and would love nothing better than to pick up the phone and call their wives and say, 'Listen, honey, I could have done better, but I want you to know that you were always on my mind. Carson responded that the song was not written for Presley but for every man. Fueling this conjecture was the fact that James had already written a hit song ' Suspicious Minds' for Presley. Music critic Robert Hilburn said that it was commonly thought in Nashville and Memphis that Elvis Presley's marital troubles were the inspiration of the song, and that it was tailored to fit his musical style. By the fourth run-through, the song was finished. James was exhausted from non-stop music projects but he ran through the song with Carson and Christopher. Feeling stuck, they appealed for assistance from songwriter Mark James who was walking through the studio.

Carson asked for help from his colleague Johnny Christopher (the two had already written the hit song ' No Love at All' in 1970) and they composed more of it in Moman's office. He brought the song back to the recording studio of Chips Moman and worked on it for a few days, but it did not jell. She was angry, and he replied: 'Well, I know I’ve been gone a lot, but I’ve been thinking about you all the time.' This idea struck him as potential song material, and he quickly ended the call so he could capture it on paper. He had been occupied in Memphis on a project that required him to stay ten days longer, and he phoned his wife in Springfield, Missouri, to apologize for the delay. Songwriter-guitarist Wayne Carson had about two verses done, with the working title 'You Were Always on My Mind'. 'Always on My Mind' did not see completion until late 1971.

45 on the US country chart in 1972, other performers reached the top 20 in the United States and elsewhere with their own versions: Elvis Presley in 1972 John Wesley Ryles in 1979 Willie Nelson's Grammy Award-winning version in 1982 and Pet Shop Boys in 1987. Elvis Presley's recording was the first hit version of the song.ĪllMusic lists over 300 recorded releases of the song in versions by dozens of performers. The song has been a crossover hit, charting in both the country and western and pop categories. Lee's version was released three months later in June 1972. ' 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 (as 'You Were Always on My Mind') in March 1972. Popular ballad written by Wayne Carson, Mark James, and Johnny Christopher 'You Were Always on My Mind'

You are always on my mind