Elvis Presley’s 1969 'Suspicious Minds' became his last No. 1 single

Collider reports that Elvis Presley’s 1969 recording "Suspicious Minds" became his final No. 1 hit.

Released in 1969, the nearly five-minute-long country rock and soul remake was written and originally sung by Mark James; the article says James was heavily involved in the recording process, much to Presley's chagrin. The song was almost never released because of a copyright dispute that was later settled in Presley's favor. Its lyrics describe a tumultuous relationship: "We're caught in a trap/ I can't walk out/ Because I love you too much, baby/ Why can't you see/ What you're doing to me/ When you don't believe a word I say?"

The track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been ranked among Presley's best, with Rolling Stone naming it the 91st best song of all time in 2003. It followed his 1968 'Singer Presents... Elvis and the '68 Comeback Special,' which aired on NBC on December 3. Although Presley released later singles such as "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" and "Don't Cry Daddy," none had the same impact, and "Suspicious Minds" remained his last hit single before he died on August 16, 1977, from a heart attack; fans continue to regard the song as a fitting tribute to his career.

Key Topics

Culture, Elvis Presley, Suspicious Minds, Mark James, Comeback Special, Burning Love