I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone

Album: Elvis at Sun (1955)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • An early Elvis recording featuring his trademark hiccup vocal break, this song is a mix of heartbreak and humor, as he tells a pal that he's right: his girl has left him and she's gone - the six words in the title tell pretty much the whole story. His buddy warned him that this would happen, but he had to get his heart broken to find out for sure.
  • This was written by Bill Taylor and Stan Kesler, who were part of a group called the Snearly Ranch Boys, which recorded for Elvis' label, Sun Records. The melody for the song was lifted by a jingle for Campbell's soup. The head of Sun, Sam Phillips, arranged for Elvis to record the tune, and brought in a drummer named Jimmie Lott to play on it, augmenting Elvis' regulars: guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.
  • Disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder did an electronic version that appears on his 1977 album From Here to Eternity. Shooter Jennings included the song on his 2016 Moroder tribute album, Countach.

Comments: 3

  • Bill Sturrock from Newcastle, UkHe was indeed talking to a girlfiend, whom he had known for a long time - maybe even a past lover - who had warned him to beware of the one who deserted him. At the end he has fallen for this new love. Good on him and his new love! Great song. Early hiccuping vocal which Buddy Holly adopted and later turned into an art form!
  • Jon Olsen from MaineYou missed a major point. He was not talking to a buddy, but his NEW girlfriend to be. The concluding line is "Now I'm falling for you." This is my all time favorite Elvis song.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaOne of my fav Scotty guitar licks. An old fav of mine.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.