I Forgot To Remember To Forget by Elvis Presley

Album: The Sun Sessions (1955)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Elvis didn't want to record this song because he thought it was too Country, so drummer Johnny Bernero from Memphis was added to the mix. Up until this time there was only Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Bass on bass and Elvis on rhythm guitar. This added an uptempo beat - Elvis liked it and recorded the song, which became a Country hit. >>
Suggestion credit:
Bob - Comox, B.C., Canada
This is one of just 10 songs Elvis recorded for Sun Records, where he got his start. The song was also recorded by Sun artists Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The song was written by Charlie Feathers and Stan Kesler. The latter had already written Presley's "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" when he had the idea for this tune "At that time, I was on the kick of catchy titles," Kesler recalled. "When I began to think about that phrase, it just expanded into 'I forgot to remember to forget her.' From there, I started working on it, and it all fell together."
This was Elvis' first #1 on any chart. It arrived at the top of the Country tally on February 25, 1956 and stayed there for two weeks.

Comments: 9

Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn the November 26th, 1955 issue of Billboard Magazine, Johnny Cash entered a national music chart for the first time...
His "Cry, Cry, Cry" entered the Country & Western Music Best Sellers in Stores chart for a one week stay at #14*...
The chart was on page 46 of the magazine, Elvis' "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" was at #12 on the Most Played by Jockeys chart, and on that same page Elvis posted a thanks to disk jockeys for voting him 'The Most Promising New C&W Artist'... http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-11-26a.pdf
*According to Billboard, "Cry, Cry, Cry" was tied at #14 with "Born To Be Happy" by Hank Snow...
Jennifur Sun from RamonaSadly now days this is the story of my life. Always liked this song since I first heard it.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyA Busy Day for The King...
On February 9th 1956 Elvis appeared four* shows at the Carolina Theater in Spartanburg, South Carolina...
At the time his "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" was in its second of two weeks at #1 on Billboard's Country & Western Best Seller in Stores chart...
One week later on February 16th his first Top 100 charted record, "Heartbreak Hotel", debut at #68...
* Show times were 3:15, 5:15, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 7th 1956, Elvis performed on the 'Louisiana Hayride'* radio program from Shreveport, Louisiana...
At the time his "I Forget to Remember to Forget" was at #3 on Billboard's Country & Western Best Seller in Stores chart...
And exactly ten years earlier on January 7th, 1946 Elvis, who would turn 11 years old the next day, and his mother were forced to seek refuge in the cellar of the family home as a tornado ripped through Tupelo, Mississippi...
* George Jones was also appearing on the same 'Hayride' show, and his "Why Baby Why" was at #7 on the Best Sellers chart.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 19th 1955, Elvis Presley performed on the country music radio show 'The Louisiana Hayride"...
At the time his "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" was at #4 on Billboard's Country & Western Best Sellers in the Stores chart; but it wasn't included in his three song* set...
* "Baby, Let's House", "That's All Right", and "Rock Around the Clock".
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 15th 1955, the duo of Buddy* & Bob opened for Elvis Presley at the 'Big D Jamboree' show in the Cotton Club, in Lubbock, Texas...
At the time Elvis' "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" b/w "Mystery Train" was at #7 on Billboard's Country & Western Best Sellers in Stores chart...
* Buddy was Buddy Holly; and the night before in Lubbock he had opened for Billy Haley & His Comets {in the audience that night was Nashville talent scout Eddie Crandell, he was so impressed with Buddy that he arranged for Buddy's first demo recordings}.
Daniel from Oelwein, IaIn 1955 I was working at Radio Station KOEL, Oelwein, Iowa. One day I took a phone call from a woman asking if the DJ could play "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" by Elvis Presley. I had never heard of Elvis, and had trouble remembering his name and the name of the song. So, I switched the woman's call directly to the DJ. That was the first time I heard of Elvis. Shortly after that Elvis had his first #1 pop hit -- "Heartbreak Hotel".

Daniel Kortenkamp, Stevens Point, WI
Walter from Antwerp, BelgiumThis song must be dated 1955 (not 1959). It was b-side to Elvis' Sun-single 'Mystery Train'.
Joe from Hawarden, IaWhat can I say? I am a big Elvis Fan, have been for years, He turned me on to Rock'N'Roll back when I was 14 years old....A long time ago.I was sad to see the way he went, I still play all his songs Rock & Country.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

(Don't Fear) The ReaperBlue Öyster Cult

Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" after he was diagnosed with a heart condition and started thinking about his own mortality.

Country Grammar (Hot S--t)Nelly

Nelly's "Country Grammar" is a celebration of his hometown of St. Louis, which some folks from the coasts consider "country" because it's in the Midwest.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?The Clash

"Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by The Clash features some Spanish lines by the Texas singer Joe Ely.

Livin' La Vida LocaRicky Martin

Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" was the first #1 hit created entirely in Pro Tools.

Hotline BlingDrake

The fadeout on Drake's "Hotline Bling" lasts 55 seconds - one of the longest outros of any hip-hop hit.

This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan

"This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan was the first hit to mention a designated driver in the lyric. Before he gets "faded," Montell gives the DD the keys to his truck.