About the Song
“Return to Sender” is a song recorded by Elvis Presley for the soundtrack of the film “Girls! Girls! Girls!,” released on October 2, 1962. It was written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell to suit Presley’s rock and roll musical style. The lyrics of the song depict a man lamenting his relationship with a spiteful partner whose letters he sends but are returned unopened.
The song achieved commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the UK Christmas number one in 1962. In the United States, “Return to Sender” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, held back from the top spot by The Four Seasons’ “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” However, it reached No. 1 on the Cash Box and Music Vendor singles charts. The single was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales in excess of one million units in the US.
Presley recorded the song on March 27, 1962, as part of the recording sessions for the film’s soundtrack. The session featured Presley’s energetic performance, and the recording process was swift. The instrumental arrangement included saxophone by Boots Randolph, guitar by Barney Kessel and Tiny Timbrell, and drums by Hal Blaine and Bernie Mattinson. Presley’s decision to use Randolph’s saxophone in the chorus instead of a guitar added a distinctive touch to the song.
“Return to Sender” is characterized as a pop and rock and roll song with a length of two minutes and nine seconds. It features an up-tempo and gently rocking beat. The lyrics describe the contrast between the joyful instrumentation and the woeful ballad about a heartbroken man whose letters are always returned unopened by his lover.
Critics praised the song’s lyricism, production, melody, and Presley’s vocal performance. It is considered one of Presley’s enduring classics in the rock and roll genre. The phrase “Return to Sender” gained additional cultural significance when fans used it in 1993, mailing envelopes with first-day issues of an Elvis Presley commemorative postage stamp to receive letters back marked with the words “return to sender.” The song remains a notable part of Presley’s legacy.
Video
Lyrics
Return to sender
Return to sender
I gave a letter to the postman
He put it in his sack
Bright early next morning
He brought my letter back
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
We had a quarrel, a lover’s spat
I write I’m sorry, but my letter keeps coming back
So then I dropped it in the mailbox
And sent it special D
Bright and early next morning
It came right back to me
Return to sender, address unknown
No such person, no such zone
This time I’m gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day then I’ll understand
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender…
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