Just HOW did Elvis LOSE OUT to Terry Stafford on THIS song? 

I love Elvis version. His smooth voice is magical ❤

Elvis was a monster - could sing anything effortlessly

There is NO comparison 😮 NO ONE sings like Elvis. He was the best 🥰🥰🥰

I like this song. Elvis version is better because he has a richer and fuller sound to his voice.

Always loved Elvis' version.

I like both versions but I prefer Elvis's version more, to me it has more feeling put into it.

Can't beat the feeling in Elvis' voice

No one could compare to Elvis- period

Often imitated and never duplicated! Elvis was the undisputed King of Rock and Roll. RIP Elvis we miss you!

Interesting that Fil comments on Elvis's terrific range and technical features, and casually demonstrates with his own voice in perfect imitation. A deeply significant talent.

In the early 60s Elvis' voice was at its best, honey sweet on ballads and down and dirty with the blues.

Love when Phil is doing musical analysis involving Elvis. Besides the voice of the GOAT, you can rest assure that there is no autotune discussions. How I miss the old days when artists had to be as good in the studio as they were live on stage.

Hadn't heard the Terry Stafford version before, sounded lighter hearted and had slightly comical backing singers. More feeling in the Elvis version, it's not a light hearted topic, so Elvis all the way !

Elvis recorded his version and had it on an album two years before Stafford's, who put his out as a single in '64. You can debate the arrangements, but Elvis' vocals are way better.

I feel elvis has more heart. Love elvis

Elvis all the way, this song was recorded at the famous studio B Nashville, how effortless Elvis's voice glided over those notes, he had plenty more in the engine if he needed it, although Terry did ok on this song he cant compete with the tone and expression and the versatility of the King.

I personally love Elvis’ version. Problem with RCA is they really did not do a ton to promote Elvis or his music. Now in the studio Elvis controlled his arrangements, however there were times when some after the session overdubbing and remixing were applied to his recordings that he would sometimes get quite upset with because he had no idea it was being done.

I'd like to quote Iggy Pop talking about Elvis in 2012. He said : "Elvis is the Rolls Royce of the vocalists. Nobody on this earth sings better than him. In that Sinatra show with Elvis, he buries Sinatra, even Frank Sinatra. Elvis was a stylist." You can clearly hear Elvis the stylist in his version of Suspicion when compared to Stafford's one. No comparison at all. Elvis' vibrato is so subtle and expressive. The same applies to the musical accompaniment delivered by the wonderful Nashville A Team.

Elvis's voice wins out for me, hands down❣

Elvis all the way.

I wonder if the producers of Terry Stafford’s rendition were encouraged to make it sound similar to Elvis’ record? Except for some of the differences that Fil noted, I think Terry’s version sounds a lot like Elvis. I humbly cast my vote for Elvis! I prefer the uniqueness of the Elvis stylizing.

Oooh, hearing Elvis singing this makes me melt...beautiful. Love Kiss Me Quick, too. Thanks for doing your take on this song, Fil.

I enjoy when you analyze the musicality of two songs and compare the production and voice differences. We learn so much each time with your good ear and ways of explaining it all. Thanks Fil.🤘🎶

Elvis has never lost anything to anyone .Elvis was the greatest entertainer ever .Its just a song and not everyone prefers Terrys version and even if that were so Elvis is still the greatest entertainer ever and Terry is just afootnote

I have heard both versions and always enjoyed Evis' version but appreciate the way you point out the similarities and differences between both. 😊🎸🎵

Great comparative analysis. In my mind your title is Professor Fil. There you have it. Thank you for this.

This has always been my personal favourite song from Elvis. I had never even considered that it was a B side release! For me, Elvis's descending scale on certain phrases emphasises his underlying insecurity & anxiety that the lyrics are trying to portray. It is musical expression of the highest order. Sometimes, when people have anxiety, they suffer a social condition called 'relaxed voice' where the voice loses its vibrancy, especially in the lower tones, & becomes breathy & falls away at the end of phrases. That's exactly how Elvis is conveying the character he is inhabiting. It may be a simple little song superficially, but like all truly great artists, Elvis is lifting it by treating it as seriously as an operatic piece. He is underpinning musically what the lyrics are saying. He is talking to the girl directly, & expressing in soft intimate tones how the strength of his passion for her is making him insecure that she fully reciprocates his feelings. The calypso beat is also more melodic & engaging, with more surprises to break monotony. Also, Elvis rises to the higher pitches on 'Why torture me?' - revealing more passionately, his inner angst. Terry's version is clear voiced & simply a pop song. With no particular imploring or emphasis to the meaning behind the lyrics. & the rather incongruous ghostly croon by the female backing singers doesn't make any sense to me.

I always thought Terry’s version was Elvis too! Lol. But I enjoy listening to them both. It I have to say, Elvis will always be my number one!!!!

Most people who hear Stafford's recording think at first that it is Elvis, many people never even learn that it wasn't. Stafford's voice is remarkably similar sounding to a normal ear without computer graphs to analyze with. What is noticeably different about these two recordings is the arrangement, especially the female voices singing "Oooh-oooh" which is absent in Elvis's version, as well as the electric organ synthesized horns sound in Stafford's version. Those female "Oooh-ooh" sounds could very well have been the subtle difference that made Stafford's version catch on while Elvis's version remained obscure. Another song with a similar "gimmick" was Bobby Goldsboro's "Little Things", with the cute little female backup singers adding the frosting on the cake.

According to the internet, Terry's version came out two years later, so his producers had the chance to learn from that first version. Adding the background singers helped to grab your attention. As Fil said, the tempo was quicker on Terry's version as well, and that may have made it more appealing. His tone is very similar to EP's, so some people may have thought at first listen, that it was Elvis on the scratchy AM car radio 🙂. Elvis got his' Suspicious' hit later! Good one, Fil!

I've only ever known the Terry Stafford version of this song. I never even knew Elvis sang it; I just thought that Stafford was doing an "Elvis".

And it's possible that Elvis "warmed" up the songs for listers ears a couple of years earlier. People heard Terry Stafford sing the same song and thought it was Elvis 'up-tempo". I always thought that Terr Stafford's version Was Elvis when I heard it on the radio.

Kiss Me Quick / Something Blue was the 1963 UK single 'Suspicion' wasn't released as a UK single until December 1976 when it made #7 in the NME Singles charts Kiss Me Quick / Suspicion 45RPM was released in Europe 1963 and did quite well Belgium # 2 / Norway and Germany # 3 / Holland # 12 / Austria # 13 / Spain # 14 To try and claw back some of Terry Stafford's February 1964 sales, Elvis' version was released in North America mid-April 1964. It made USA Billboard # 34 and Canada # 3 RCA pumped out SO MANY Elvis singles during that period that it was hard for any of them to make a real chart / radio impression before the next one came out. This was, and still is, the difference between The Beatles and ELVIS marketing. The Beatles basically 1 album per year and 3 singles per year (all going 'Gold') to Elvis' Col Parker marketing of flooding the market with three albums / Movies per year and as many singles as you can bang out. Between October 63 and October 64 RCA released the following six ELVIS US singles Bossa Nova, Baby (from Fun In Acapulco movie) Kissin' Cousins - (from Kissin' Cousins movie) Kiss Me Quick / Suspicion What'd I Say / Viva Las Vegas (from Viva Las Vegas movie) Such A Night / Ask Me / Blue Christmas was then released in November 1964 as the Xmas Single. No wonder Elvis' 'Suspicion' couldn't make the chart impression it deserved. DAMN Col' Parker.

Elvis has such a warm, smooth voice .... his version is twice as nice, probably.

Love Elvis version best. His Elvis vibrato is so good. Like Terry’s version ok, but not backround singers & faster pace. ❤️ Elvis. Nice analysis!

This speaks volumes about the production and treatment of Terry Stafford's version of this song: "Nationally "Suspicion" rose from number 7 to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated 4 April 1964, when the chart's top five hits were all by the Beatles. "Suspicion" broke the Beatles' monopoly on the top five spots on the chart by rising to #3, its peak position, the next week." Where was Elvis at this time? Being forced to do another sappy movie because of his greedy manager "Fake Colonel" Tom Parker, taking 50% of everything Elvis did.

I enjoy Terry Stafford singing but my preferred version would always be Elvis. Elvis voice is so much more refined. Thank you Fil, I like your voice very much too!!!

Fil, very interesting analysis video! Elvis is The King ! He didn't use as much vibratto, but a little slipped in there. I love it when you do a comparison of two artists singing the same song! You are so informative in your videos! You point out so much and in a way that we can understand and learn! Thank you for this one! I enjoyed both voices and your teaching! Yes, I do think Terry's voice is better suited for this song! Your vocal demonstration is very enjoyable!🎸💜

ELVIS' voice was just REMARKABKLE,PERIOD, the feeling n passion and passion where on another level ,i like the simplicity of this track ,with elvis' sublime vocals.

Thank you for the analysis Fil. This song is a Pomus-Shuman composition written specifically for Elvis and was released on the Pot Luck album in May 1962. Stafford's version was released as a single in February 1964. RCA finally decided to release Elvis’ version as a single in April 1964 but by that stage Terry’s version had achieved some major success on the charts and Elvis' version didn’t end up doing all that well and I think a large part of that is due to RCA's marketing strategies at the time witch I believe deprived Elvis of chart success not only with this song, but quite a few other songs as well. As to the comparison itself, Elvis could sing the phone book and still sound great! You can have all the wonderful arrangements and back up singers, bells and whistles as you like but at the end of the day it's the voice that matters and Elvis had the golden voice that nobody could match. Stafford tries hard and does a decent version but I'm sticking with Elvis on this one, the original and the best!

I really enjoyed this one. Love the discussion of singing styles. I was about 5 years old when Elvis' version came out. My dad's cousin was a HUGE Elvis fan, and we heard his Suspicion all the time, it seems like. Terry's is better in that it sounds cleaner, clearer. My friends would say he sings more "top of the note", if that makes sense. I highly suspect that Terry's version did so well partly because Elvis sang it first, so the song itself already had a following. Great show.

I Always like this song by Elvis Sometimes the B side was better than the A side

After your analysis of both versions of suspicion. I think Elvis’ version is much better just due to the fact that Elvis’ has such an amazing singing voice, especially between 1960-62, Elvis’ voice sounded so velvety ❤

Elvis owns this one. Terry's version is a bit cheesy 🔥🔥🔥

You hit it on the head Elvis's was a side B release and Terry's was the side A

I prefer Elvis’s version better. He sings with more emotion, and makes you feel his heartbreak. And I just like his voice much better. The other version sounds “fun”.

Gràcies Fil, m'agradat mol poder escoltar la teva anàlisi de les dues versions. Per ha mi és molt millor Elvis, li dóna més profunditat. 👍👍👍👍👍

When Elvis sings it I get chills .. Terry did a nice job but Elvis put SO MUCH emotion into it ..but then again he was that way with EVERYTHING he sang in this he holds back just a touch on certain words and notes..My God Elvis was such a MASTER VOCALIST!

Terry's version is the one I remember. The background singers are the hook that stuck out for me. "Oooh..."

I will never get tired of hearing Elvis singing...even if he is covering another artist's work..Terry Stanford's version was awesome as well. I grew up hearing both versions and love them both equally. .I remember visiting Graceland it was quite a positive experience for me. Something I will never forget...As usual Fil does an awesome analysis. I thank Fil for creating this happy and educational place.

Elvis liked for his vocals to be at about the same level as the accompaniment. It was a stylistic choice for him. His voice was just so buttery and smooth during the movie years.

They sound so similar but Elvis’s timing is different when the “Suspicion” part is sung. Also as a young person, I don’t ever remember it being played on the radio. Terry Stafford’s song must have been played by the disc jockeys. Sometimes I like Elvis and sometimes I like Terry. No one is like Elvis.

You did not address the use of the background vocalists in Terry Stafford's version - the interplay between them, in which the vocalists say "Suspicion!" and Terry Stafford answers the vocalists. That, plus the speeded up tempo, made it a more successful version of the song.

Although Stafford didn’t write this song, interestingly he himself later wrote a song which wasn’t a big hit for him (“Amarillo by Morning”), but years later was a Yuuuuge hit for somebody else- George Strait!

I bought the Terry Stafford version when it came out and didn't know Elvis had a version. As a b side it probably got very little radio play and so it went under the radar. At the time I could never figure out if the background was a vocal or a steel guitar, but it made the arrangement stand out. Don't think I ever heard of him again but the Beatles came soon after and spelt pretty much the end of solo male vocalists.

Elvis version is much better. No comparison.

It's a great song. Terry's version is very enjoyable.

Once again, Fil takes a song that I have always loved and then educates me as to why I love it.

Two different versions but sorry, I still prefer Elvis in this song....much more passion ❤ Just tastes, I suppose

Great song. Terry nailed it. One hit wonder. Has some Roy Orbison feeling. Maybe Elvis should have released as A side since both very close

The horn and background singers are the winners in Terry's version.

Remember Terry was imitating Elvis voice when he sang like so many singers did at that time. No comparison of the vocal instrument of the two.

Ohhhh Fil, it's always such a pleasure to see you react in real time to someone's singing - especially Elvis's! Over the years, sometimes radio station DJ's played the "wrong" side of the single issued by the record company. "Kiss Me Quick" (which was obviously the song that was being pushed) only got up to number 34 on the U.S. Singles chart. Imagine if DJ's had flipped it over and started playing "Suspicion" instead! Eh...life is all about timing, right? When Terry Stafford decided to remake the song, he was obviously trying very hard to sound like Elvis. And for some reason - that magic of timing? - his version took off. It's rise to #3 on Billboard was perhaps due to people mistaking it for an Elvis record. Or was it just a better-produced record than the Elvis version? (And yes, Stafford's version does seem faster.) Anyway, great video!

When I was a girl, I thought this was Elvis, and couldn't figure what was wrong with him. Always loved the song, thanks Fil

The Elvis version was later released as an A Side in the UK and reached the Top 20. It's not the only B side that was later released and became a massive hit- A Little Less Conversation & Rubbernecking became massive hits in the early 2000s 3 of the biggest B side "flips" that became massive hits- I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor, Brown Girl In The Ring- Boney M, To Sir With Love- Lulu & My Cherie Amour- Stevie Wonder.

This was many years prior to me first getting into music, but there can be no question, that everything I came to love in music, all came from those early years where Elvis first appeard🤘🎸 PS> I will watch video up until the point at which Elvis shakes his hips. I don't want to be corrupted with you crazy rock and rollers😿

I've never heard Terry Staffords version before now, i noticed that he never actually sings the word 'Suspicion' in the verse, its a slightly more upbeat version but i still enjoyed it.

Forgot about this song! Didn't realise Elvis did a version of it! I think the B-side factor is high here, but I also like Terry's version better.

Thank You Fil for analyzing Elvis' and Terry's versions of that song.

Elvis recorded this as an album track on Pot Luck so it was never released as a single in the UK.Kiss Me Quick was the single released by RCA in the UK.

Me encanta ésta canción y en la voz de Elvis es " Sublime " THE KING 😏👑🫶

I liked both versions of this song, there voices are so similar, it would be a job to tell them apart if we didn’t already know, both were great.

It’s so amazing Fil how you can so accurately replicate the notes they both sang. So impressed

The Terry Stafford version seems to have a better arrangement and maybe that's why it charted so well in 1964. Terry co-wrote a song Amarillo By Morning which he released around 1973. It charted around number 30 but 10 tears later George Strait released the song and it made to number 4 on the Country charts. Terry also wrote a song called Big in Dallas. Buck Owens changed Dallas to Vegas slowed down the tempo and had a top 5 hit with it in 1969. You never know. Thanks for sharing.

When you sing softly..🫂 I fly away..!!!👍

Elvis at his best was absolutely unmatchable.

I like the slower tempo better. Personally, I couldn't tell much difference in the vocals . They were a wash for me. Great song. It is incredible how some artists, like Elvis, are able to produce so much amazing music that gems like this song get lost in the shuffle.

In the first 4 notes Elvis sung, I said "its the production" and that is how I interpret your analysis 😀 Terry's version the production placed the voice more brightly

Leave Elvis alone. Elvis the man

Elvis' version is so, so much better, but I'd expect nothing less!!!

Terry s version is more fleshed out with the unique background vocals and echo tremolo and the instrumentation makes it more danceable latin style or Cha Cha.

Elvis all the way on any song ❤

Vibrato or no vibrato, this has always been one of my favourite Elvis songs. I love how he sings it and I love the instrumentation. I am convinced it was a mistake to release such a gem on the B-side. This should have been released on the A-side at another time. People aren't able to focus on two hits at a time. In my opinion, Terry loved Elvis's version, and that's why he recorded it in a very similar way. His version has more tempo but by that, the song loses parts of the emotional quality. I also don't like the weird female "ooooh." Thank you very much, Fil, for another wonderful analysis.

I never knew Elvis did this..Terry Stafford's version was the hit...great tune

Elvis is a legend ..! Furthermore, he sings this song with emotions and punch , that's where Elvis' is a better sung song ...! I don't know who you are to comment on Elvis wonderful song ..!?

Hi Fil, This was an interesting comparison to look at. Both versions had good points and bad points. It’s hard to compare anyone to Elvis… the man is a Legend. What I saw as some sticking points in both versions were the rhythmic arrangement and tricky melody. Although they do have similar voices not sure if this song suited either one of them, even though it was a chart hit for Terry. Great job, and interesting one to take a look at today! You Are The Best! Debbie☮️😍

They both sound good to me and honestly style wise close as well. Both good and its a beautiful song.

Elvis sends goosebumps when he sings it. Unbelievable version!

I would think the biggest advantage that Terry's version has over Elvis' version is the instrumental part being catchier. But Elvis' version was also excellent, and I think it could have been a hit with better timing.

Elvis' voice is just incredible on this song.... so silky smooth and flawless. I give Elvis a 10, and Terry about a 4.

A really interesting analysis. I agree the song had more jumping around than most songs Elvis sang, so his vibrato didn’t shine as much as it normally did. Still, I enjoyed both versions. Thanks, Fil, for your thoughtful analysis!

Awesome analysis as usual. Upon hearing them together, I can't help but wonder if the horns and, especially, the background vocals had something to do with Terry Stafford's success. I especially was charmed by the vocals.

I was in that generation of Elvis Presley. 😉 ...so I'm more partial to his romantic voice as he slides down the notes for those songs. By the way, you FIL, have a fantastic voice and guitar ability. Love your songs.😁

I grew up with both renditions on the Oldies Station. I always preferred Elvis' version. That doesn't mean that I couldn't appreciate and sing along with Stafford's version.

Horns and background singers for the win.

May I recommend your analysis on crying and come a little bit close by Jay and the Americans. Great job here as always.

Thanks for showcasing this classic song. I remember hearing it way back when, but not the Elvis version. I _thought_ it was Elvis because their voices are so similar. Definitely prefer the Stafford version, not just because of his delivery, but also the background vocals and the music. Great song through and through.

Hello, you must have forgotten to take your medication at that day while listening to this song. Elvis is still the king! ( Singapore).

OMG! Thank you Fil! Terry’s version is on the top ten list in my head! I think more was invested in the arrangement and production of Terry’s version and the Indioline/“brass” sound makes it such a huge hit. So smooth! Great analysis as always. Maybe could you do Yma Sumac’s “Gopher Mambo”? I first heard on the soundtrack of Shakespeare Retold, The Taming of the Shrew. Pure genius to include in the soundtrack and great movie, too. I think more recently it was in an Apple? commercial maybe too. The original whistle/head voice queen though I think Yma was actually a descendant of a Peruvian princess. Fascinating story and voice. And maybe could you do Kyu Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki”? Why was it such a huge hit worldwide way back in the day when so few knew where Japan was located never mind understanding Japanese! And a moderate hit English version even! Was it the simplicity/innocence of the melody? Just like Psy’s huge hit Gangnam Style, No. 1 hit, love it but don’t understand a word! In a world of J-Pop and K-Pop, be a Kyu Sakamoto! Thank you for everything! Nancey p.s. have lived in Japan for over forty years now...

One thing that’s very appealing about Terry‘s version is that in the chorus the word ‘suspicion’ is held longer. This is possible because it’s being sung by the backup singers. But it makes the chorus so much more appealing. In Elvis’s version it says if the word is just spoken very quickly. The whole arrangement is much better on Terry’s version.