Playing for Keeps (Elvis Presley song)


"Playing for Keeps" is a song originally recorded by Elvis Presley
Its first release on record was on January 4, 1957 on a single with "Too Much" on the other side. "Playing for Keeps" reached number 34 in the United States, while "Too Much" spent 3 weeks at number 1.
In 1959 the song was included on Elvis' album For LP Fans Only.

Writing and recording history

The song was written by Sun Studio house band steel guitar and bass player Stan Kesler, who wrote or co-wrote five songs in total for Elvis Presley during Elvis' early career: "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone". "I Forgot to Remember to Forget", "Thrill of Your Life", "Playing for Keeps", "I'm a Fool ".
Elvis recorded it on September 1, 1956 at the Radio Recorders Studio in Hollywood, California. The master recording of "Playing for Keeps" is a splice of two takes: take 7 with the ending from take 18.

Commercial performance and critical reception

Preorders for the single "Too Much" / "Playing For Keeps" reached almost 500,000 copies.
Billboard picked the single "Two Much"/"Playing for Keep" for its "Spotlight" section and then as one of "This Week's Best Buys":
Mike Eder states his opinion of the side "Playing for Keeps" in his book Elvis Music FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King's Recorded Works:

Track listings

7" single
  1. "Too Much"
  2. "Playing for Keeps"
7" EP Playing for Keeps
  1. "Playing for Keeps"
  2. "Too Much"
  3. "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck"
  4. "Doncha' Think It's Time"
7" EP All Shook Up
  1. "All Shook Up"
  2. "That's When Your Heartaches Begin"
  3. "Too Much"
  4. "Playing for Keeps"

    Charts