Puppet On A String

Album: Girl Happy (1964)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Roy C. Bennett and Sid Tepper, this easy-listening love song was recorded by Elvis Presley for the vehicle film Girl Happy. The King laid down the vocals on this and other previously recorded tracks on June 16, 1964 at Radio Recorders, Culver City for MGM.
  • According to Elvisologist David Neale, the song is actually based on the melody of the lullaby "Hush Little Baby." To anyone familiar with the earlier song, this is not at all obvious, but many composers borrow phrases from other songs; Al Stewart based "Palace Of Versailles" on "The Earl Of Salisbury," Donald Swann based "The Gasman Cometh" on "Dashing Away With A Smoothing Iron", and perhaps most controversially Ritchie Blackmore based "Mandrake Root" on the Bill Parkinson instrumental "Lost Soul."

    Whatever its origin, "Puppet On A String" is a fairly run of the mill song, performed by an artist who was anything but. It is not to be confused with the Sandie Shaw Eurovision winner of the same name. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • James Miller from Falkirk. ScotlandListening to Elvis singing Puppet on a String which I think is a lovely song and as usual he makes it his own and I love it. Can you clarify if the piano is being played by another favourite of mine Floyd Cramer?
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaThanks Roy. have felt like this about a few people. For I'm just a puppet on a string/you can do most anything with me.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
    Songwriter Roy Bennett (born Israel Brodsky), best-known for "The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane" (#3-1954 for the Ames Brothers), "Kiss Of Fire" (#1-1952 for Georgia Gibbs) and "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" (#10-1965 for Vic Dana), usually with Sid Tepper, died July 2nd, 2015 at his home in Queens, New York...
    The Brooklyn native was 97...
    He wrote 45 tunes for Elvis Presley, including "G.I. Blues," "Puppet On A String" and "The Lady Loves Me"...
    Sid Teppper died in April at age 96...
    May they both R.I.P.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
    Songwriter Sid Tepper, best-known for "The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane" (#3-1954 for the Ames Brothers), "Kiss Of Fire" (#1-1952 for Georgia Gibbs) and "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" (#10-1965 for Vic Dana)-- usually with Roy Bennett-- died Friday (April 24th, 2015) at his home near Miami Beach, Florida. The Brooklyn native was 96. He wrote 45 tunes for Elvis Presley, including "G.I. Blues," "Puppet On A String" and "The Lady Loves Me"...
    May he R.I.P.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.