"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is a song written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. It was recorded several times in 1927—first by Charles Hart, with successful versions by Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the duet of Jerry Macy and John Ryan. In 1950, the Blue Barron Orchestra version reached the top twenty on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.
In April 1960, after Elvis Presley's two year service in the United States Army, he recorded the song at the suggestion of manager Colonel Tom Parker. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was Parker's wife, Marie Mott's, favorite song. Its release was delayed by RCA Victor executives, who thought the song did not fit Presley's new (and publicized) style. When "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was released in November 1960, it was an immediate success in the US.
The song debuted on Billboard's Top 40 at number 35 on November 14, moved a week later to number two and topped the chart by November 28.