Elvis Presley – I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine

Many cool people have cool nicknames. I love Elvis’s nicknames. The Big E, King Of Rock ’n‘ Roll, The Memphis Flash, The Jumpsuited One, The Vibrating Valentino, Ol ’Snake Hips, The Tennessee Troubadour, Mr. Sideburns, The Hillbilly Cat, The Cool Cat, or just EP. 

I was listening to Elvis’s Sun songs, and this one stood out. It’s that rhythm that really drew me into this song. Just a simple little rockabilly song that makes me feel good. I would say that Sun Records Elvis is the Elvis I like best. Not that I never liked the songs on RCA and his major hits, but these records had a sound like no other. This song was the B-side to Good Rockin’ Tonight. 

It was written by Mack David and had been recorded earlier by Patti Page in 1950. Mack David wrote it for the animated film Cinderella, but not used in the movie. He also wrote Rain, Rain Go Away, Baby It’s You, and other hit songs. 

Presley’s version was recorded in 1954 during the same period that produced songs like That’s All Right. Backed by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley pushed the tempo and stayed with that rhythm. Moore’s guitar runs are all over the place, and Black’s slap bass keeps the track moving. Elvis sings with a mix of country phrasing and the energy that would be rockabilly.

This song was recorded in September 1954. It all started a few months earlier for Elvis. On June 7, 1954, WHBQ Radio in Memphis became the first station to play That’s All Right when their disc jockey, Dewey Phillips, aired it on his Red, Hot and Blue show the day after Elvis recorded it. Phillips was a pioneering DJ who played a mix of black and white music that attracted a large and diverse following and helped Elvis on his way. 

He would find worldwide success with RCA, but…I’ll just close this by saying I really love rockabilly, Elvis!

The A side…Good Rockin’ Tonight

I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine

Well, I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
I get my lovin’ in the evening time
When I’m with my baby

Well, it ain’t no fun with the sun around
I get going when the sun goes down
And I’m with my baby

Well, that’s when we’re gonna kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss
And we’re gonna kiss some more
Who cares how many times we kiss
‘Cause at a time like this, who keeps score?

Well, I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I meet my baby

Well, that’s when we’re gonna kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss
And we’re gonna kiss some more
Who cares how many times we kiss
‘Cause at a time like this, who keeps score

Well, I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I meet my baby

And it don’t matter if it’s sleet or snow
The drive-in’s cozy when the lights are low
And I’m with my baby

Makes no difference if the rain comes down
I don’t notice when she’s around
Oh boy, what a baby

Well, that’s when we’re gonna kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss
And we’re gonna kiss some more
Well, one kiss from my baby doll makes me hot
More more more more

Well, I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I meet my baby

Well, that’s when we’re gonna kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss and
We’re gonna kiss some more
Well, one kiss from my baby doll makes me hot
More more more more

Well, I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
I get my loving in the evening time
When I’m with my baby