About the Song
In the musical tapestry of the early ’60s, “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame” resonates as a chart-topping melody, gracefully performed and published by Elvis Presley under the banner of Elvis Presley Music in 1961. Crafted by the songwriting prowess of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, its initial rendition found expression through Del Shannon on the album “Runaway with Del Shannon,” unveiled in June 1961.
Elvis Presley, however, etched an indelible mark with his rendition, which emerged in August 1961. The composition, characterized by an energetic Bo Diddley beat, demonstrated its versatility by captivating audiences on both pop and easy listening stations. Scaling the heights of musical success, it secured the impressive No. 4 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and a formidable No. 2 on the Easy Listening chart, based on the Top 100 at the time. The journey on the Hot 100 chart unfolded in an unconventional manner for a Top Ten hit. In the autumn of 1961, it skyrocketed from 22 to 4, only to dip to 10, then 26, all within the span of four weeks. Notably, this single, sharing the limelight as a double A-side with “Little Sister” in the United States, reigned supreme for four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart—a testament to Presley’s dominance with nine chart-toppers in the UK between 1960 and 1962.
Video
Lyrics
A very old friend came by today
‘Cause he was telling everyone in town
Of the love that he just found
And Marie’s the name of his latest flame
He talked and talked and I heard him say
That she had the longest, blackest hair
The prettiest green eyes anywhere
And Marie’s the name of his latest flame
Though I smiled, the tears inside were burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry?
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She’d be mine eternally
And Marie’s the name of his latest flame
Though I smiled, the tears inside were a-burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry?
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She’d be mine eternally
And Marie’s the name of his latest flame
Yeah, Marie’s the name of his latest flame
Oh, Marie’s the name of his latest flame
And Marie’s the name of his latest flame