A 1956 Elvis Presley single, his first RCA release, inspired by a newspaper story about a suicide and built on a stark blues arrangement.
Composition
Heartbreak Hotel was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, inspired by a newspaper story about a Miami man’s suicide note that read “I walk a lonely street.” Elvis Presley was given a co-writing credit at the song’s release.
Recording
The recording was Presley’s first session for RCA Victor in January 1956. The sparse arrangement features Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, D. J. Fontana on drums, and Floyd Cramer on piano.
Reception
Released in January 1956, the single reached number one on the Billboard pop chart and number five in the United Kingdom. It became the best-selling single of 1956 in the United States and Presley’s first million-seller.