"Hard Headed Woman" is a rock and roll song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music,[1][2] Presley's publishing company, in 1958. It is an American 12-bar blues written by African American songwriter Claude Demetrius. It was most notably recorded as a rock and roll song by Presley as part of the soundtrack for his 1958 motion picture King Creole, and was included on the record album of the same name. The song was also released as a single in both 78 RPM [3] and 45 RPM formats. In 1958, it went to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and went to No. 2 for two weeks on the R&B chart.[4] Notably, it became the first rock and roll single to earn the RIAA designation of Gold Record.[5]
| "Hard Headed Woman" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Elvis Presley | ||||
| from the album King Creole | ||||
| B-side | "Don't Ask Me Why" | |||
| Released | June 10, 1958 | |||
| Recorded | January 15, 1958 | |||
| Studio | Radio Recorders, Hollywood | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Length | 1:54 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Claude Demetrius | |||
| Elvis Presley singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hard Headed Woman" (audio) on YouTube | ||||
It was later recorded by Wanda Jackson on the album Live at Town Hall Party 1958. "Hard Headed Woman" was also released as a 45 rpm and received substantial airplay in the late 1950s.[6] The singing on the Jackson version incorporates an extreme use of vocal fry, making it difficult to tell if the singer is male or female.
Lyrics
editThe song's lyrics center around the idea that "women have been trouble for men since the beginning of the world", a point illustrated through the examples of the biblical figures Adam and Eve, Samson and Delilah, and Jezebel.[7]
Charts
edit| Chart (1958) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] | 17 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[9] | 30 |
| Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[10] | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart[11] | 2 |
| US Billboard Best Sellers in Stores[4] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Country Singles[4] | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B Singles[4][12] | 2 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[13] | 3 |
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] | 78 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why – elvisrecords.com". www.elvisrecords.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Hard Headed Woman". Elvis Presley Official Site (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ "78 Record: Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires - Hard Headed Woman (1958)". 45 Worlds.
- ^ a b c d Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 468.
- ^ "Lot Detail - RIAA Gold Record Award for Elvis Presley's 1958 Single "Hard Headed Woman" - ELVIS' FIRST CERTIFIED GOLD RECORD!". rockhurstauctions.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ Jackson – Live At Town Hall Party 1958, last access 11/30/2022
- ^ Clanton Jr., Dan W. (2009). Daring, Disreputable and Devout: Interpreting the Hebrew Bible's Women in the Arts and Music. T&T Clark. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-567-02747-4.
- ^ "Elvis Presley – Hard Headed Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ "Elvis Presley – Hard Headed Woman" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade Chart: Week of July 7, 1958". The CHUM Tribute Site. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "HARD HEADED WOMAN". Official Charts. 1958-07-31. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ "R&B Best Sellers in Stores - For Survey Week Ending July 3" (PDF). The Billboard. 14 July 1958. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Cash Box - 12 July 1958" (PDF). Cash Box. 12 July 1958. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Elvis Presley – Hard Headed Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Elvis Presley – Hard Headed Woman". Recording Industry Association of America.
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