Almanac Music: ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’ – It Began with Elvis
Elvis Presley, first national television appearance,1956. [Wikimedia Commons.]
Almanac Music: ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’ – It Began with Elvis
When a song has such a clever title as ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’, and a nifty set of lyrics as well as a pleasing melody to match, it’s at least half-way there, to my way of thinking. And when the first artist to record this song is a young Elvis Presley, who was yet to hit the big time, the song is fortunate indeed. ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’, written by Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers, is fundamentally a country music tune and was Elvis’s first national No #1 hit, on the Billboard Country Music charts in early 1956. It was the last of his singles for Sun Records before he moved to RCA.
(Years mentioned below are those in which the particular version was released.)
Elvis Presley (1955)
As indicated in the introduction, Elvis’s rendition of the song – produced by Sam Phillips at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee – has a very much country feel to it (with some rockabilly thrown in). His version is a beguiling blend of youthful rawness, energy and tenderness.
Johnny Cash (1959)
Cash’s 1959 version of the song, also recorded at Sun Studio, is more solemn and serious compared to the others I’ve considered for this piece. His rich baritone voice is accompanied some atmospheric, even lower-pitched backing vocals (by his backing band, the Tennessee Two [later Three], I presume). Overall, he does a fine job, in that the meaning of the lyrics about trying but not being able to forget someone are conveyed very effectively. Sincerity is the byword here.
Jerry Lee Lewis (1961)
Jerry Lee Lewis did a number of versions of this song. The following one, recorded in 1961 and released that year as far as I can ascertain, is enjoyable, as well as being smoothly performed and produced, but feels a little perfunctory and toothless compared to some of Jerry’s better-known work, like ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’.
The Beatles (1964)
The Beatles recorded their version – as much rockabilly as straight-out country – in May 1964 in the BBC studios as part of a show (they did numerous ones) for BBC radio. George Harrison sang lead vocals in this version, and does a neat job, in a casual, understated performance – and his country-tinged lead break is an absolute beauty, the best thing about the recording. Also, I particularly like the distinctive chunky, string-bass sound of McCartney’s Hofner Violin bass guitar, which is higher in the mix than usual. Overall, almost everything The Beatles did, even if not their absolute best work, had more than a touch of excitement and magic about it – this is no exception.
John Prine and Mac Wiseman (2007)
This an attractive version of the song, with a laid-back, country music feel. Instinct tells me it would grow on one even more each time one listened to it. The version comes from Prine and Wiseman’s Standard Songs for Average People (2007).
Chris Isaak (2011)
I’m a fan of Chris Isaak and his wide-ranging, honeyed, mellow voice, but this is a pleasant, rather than standout version of the song. Actually recorded in Sun Studios for his album Beyond the Sun (2011), which is basically a tribute to various legends who recorded there (Presley, Cash, Orbison, Perkins and Lewis), Isaak seems to miss the opportunity to let loose in his rendition of the song, especially when he has the vocal chops to do so. In fact, letting himself go and singing with a kind of abandon is what made Elvis’s original version so damn good.
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His sixth book-length poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises, was published in early 2026 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Thanks Kevin
Clever lyrics. Enjoyable listening – in particular the Elvis original and the Beatles and John Prine covers.
Thanks, Peter, for your comments.
George does a darn good job doing the lead singing in The Beatles’ version, the more I think about it. His vocal style is an appealing and distinctive one.
Great song and you’ve only touched on the artists who have covered it. They include Dyan and the Band, B.J. Thomas, Wanda Jackson, Jim Dickinson and the North Mississippi Allstars and of course Charlie Feathers himself.
Elvis recorded it the same day he recorded Mystery Train – now that’s a day’s work!
Hi Rick.
Thanks for your comments.
Of course, I fully realise that I haven’t mentioned everyone who has covered the song – a simple read of Wikipedia will give the reader good knowledge in that respect.
What I tried to do is give Almanac readers a reasonable sampling of artists who did a version, and make some comparisons to generate further discussion.
Cheers.
However, I should add, Rick, that yes, it was definitely a good thing for you to specifically mention other artists who’ve done the song, even if the info is readily available. Doing this places the song, and the Almanac discussion of it, in an even broader context. Normally, I would have provided this broader context myself. I’m glad you did in this instance.
No worries KD, I was just enjoying your piece about the song and Elvis! My go to for such matters is Spotify and I love putting a playlist together of a fave song and its range of versions. Cheers
All good, Rick!
I am biased of course, but The Beatles’ version is simply excellent (as you imply)!
By golly, they were versatile.
Yep, Smokie, I totally agree with you regarding The Beatles’ version – and there’s certainly more gold to be found in their not widely known BBC recordings.