Introduction:
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin, a melancholic ballad about the universal pangs of heartbreak and shattered trust, was first recorded by the soon-to-be-king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, in 1953. While not Presley’s official debut single, the song predates his meteoric rise to fame and offers a glimpse into the musical influences that would shape his career.
The original composition is credited to the songwriting duo of William Raskin and Lew Brown, and was first brought to life in 1937 by Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra. This early version established the song’s core theme of lost love, with its lyrics painting a picture of a blossoming romance gone sour. However, it wasn’t until Presley’s rendition that the song captured the attention of a wider audience.
Presley’s early forays into music took place at Memphis’ now-famous Sun Studio. There, in July 1953, with backing from his fledgling bandmates, Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums, Presley laid down his now-iconic version of That’s When Your Heartaches Begin. It’s important to note that this recording wasn’t Presley’s first attempt at the song. Presley, known for his tireless work ethic, would revisit That’s When Your Heartaches Begin multiple times throughout the 1950s, including a 1957 session at Hollywood’s Radio Recorders. Despite these later recordings, it’s the 1953 Sun Studio version that is most sought after by collectors and fans.
Presley’s rendition of That’s When Your Heartaches Begin was not initially released as a single. Instead, it served as the B-side to his debut single, “My Happiness”, a sprightly cover of a gospel tune. However, That’s When Your Heartaches Begin quickly resonated with listeners, showcasing a different side of the young performer. The song’s emotional depth and Presley’s powerful, soulful vocals helped to propel him beyond the local Memphis scene and towards national recognition.
While That’s When Your Heartaches Begin never achieved the chart-topping success of Presley’s later hits, it holds a significant place in his musical legacy. The song serves as a bridge between Presley’s early influences and the rock and roll sound that would soon captivate the world. It’s a reminder of the raw talent and charisma that Elvis Presley possessed, even before he became a household name.
Video:
Lyrics:
“That’s When Your Heartaches Begin”
In the arms of a friend
That’s when your heartaches begin
When dreams of a lifetime
Must come to an end
That’s when your heartaches beginLove is a thing
You never can share
When you bring a friend
Into your love affair
That’s the end of your sweetheart
That’s the end of your friend
That’s when your heartaches beginIf you find your sweetheart
In the arms of your best friend
Brother, that’s, that’s when your heartaches begin
And you know, when all of your dreams
When all of your dreams of a lifetime, must all come to an end
Well, that’s, that’s when your heartaches begin
You see love is a thing that
That you never can share
And when you bring a friend
When you bring a friend into your love affair
That’s the end of your sweetheart
That’s the end of your friend
That’s the when your heartaches begin