Red West, known to many as a member of Elvis Presley’s inner circle and a formidable presence, also carved out a significant career as a songwriter, contributing several notable tracks to the King’s extensive catalog. In this interview excerpt from Ken Sharp’s book “Writing For The King,” West shares fascinating insights into his creative process, his relationship with Elvis, and the personal stories behind some of their collaborations, including the poignant track “Separate Ways,” which resonated deeply with Elvis during a difficult period in his life.
West recounts learning guitar from Scotty Moore while on the road with Elvis in the fifties. His early songwriting efforts saw success with artists like Pat Boone, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, and Petula Clark. The spark for writing for Elvis often came from The King himself. For instance, the title “That’s Someone You Never Forget” was a direct suggestion from Elvis. Red wrote the song, recorded a demo, and was present when Elvis cut it, an experience he described as both great and nerve-wracking. He appreciated how Elvis interpreted his songs, noting that Elvis wouldn’t have recorded them if he didn’t genuinely like them, although some were indeed turned down.
The creation of “You’ll Be Gone” highlights a unique challenge. Inspired by the success of changing the lyrics of “O Sole Mio” for “It’s Now Or Never,” Elvis suggested they do the same with Cole Porter’s “Begin The Beguine.” Red wrote new lyrics, but Porter famously refused permission. This led Red to change the melody entirely, creating a new song with just two chords (C and F), a suggestion from Charlie Hodge, who received a third writing credit. Elvis also received credit, a suggestion Red says was more about the idea than actual writing, as Elvis lacked the patience for the songwriting process itself. Red believed Elvis had a “ballad mind” and likely would have written more ballads than rock and roll if he’d dedicated the time.
A song that found its way into the movie Viva Las Vegas was “If You Think I Don’t Need You.” Elvis put considerable energy into this track, which featured Glen Campbell on guitar. Red wrote it with Joe Cooper, aiming for a vibe similar to Ray Charles’ “What I’d Say.” He wasn’t under contract as a writer but drew inspiration from reading Elvis’s movie scripts.
Another anecdote involves the holiday classic “If Every Day Was like Christmas.” While at the Memphian theater with Elvis in August, Red was suddenly inspired to write a Christmas song. He completed it quickly, recorded a demo, and later played it for Elvis when he was preparing to record a holiday track. Elvis was scheduled to record three songs in Nashville but either got sick or feigned sickness, so Red stepped in to do the guide vocals. Elvis later overdubbed his own voice onto Red’s demo in their hotel room, loving the result.
Perhaps the most personal songs Red wrote for Elvis were “Separate Ways” and “Always On My Mind.” Red was living in Memphis while his wife was in L.A., a situation that directly inspired “Separate Ways.” elvis presley separate ways songs The song’s theme of parental separation resonated perfectly with Elvis’s own situation following his split with Priscilla. Initially written about Red’s son, Brent, the lyrics were changed to relate to Lisa Marie Presley, specifically altering the line “the tears that he will cry” to “the tears that she will cry.” Red would typically present new songs to Elvis, not waiting to be asked.
elvis presley separate ways always on my mind Elvis recorded both “Always On My Mind” and “Separate Ways” around the same time, shortly after his breakup with Priscilla. Red recalled Elvis’s reaction, saying, “Man, you’re killing me with these songs,” indicating how deeply they affected him. “Don’t Cry Daddy” was another emotional song that was difficult for Elvis to record due to its connection to his situation with Lisa Marie.
Elvis Presley and Red West pictured together, smiling
Beyond formal recording sessions, Red, Elvis, and Charlie Hodge spent hours singing together, often focusing on gospel music, which Elvis adored. They formed a trio and enjoyed singing close harmonies, inspired by groups like the Sons of the Pioneers and The Ink Spots. Several home recordings of these sessions, including Red’s songs “I’ve Been Blue,” “It’s No Fun Being Lonely,” and “Mary Lou Brown,” were discovered years after Elvis’s death and released. These tracks, written for tight harmony, weren’t hits but showcase a different side of their musical bond.
Red also penned the gospel song “Seeing Is Believing” and the Christmas track “Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees,” which Elvis particularly enjoyed singing. Red described gospel music as “rock and roll with a religious flair,” noting that Elvis would often sing gospel late into the night with groups like the Stamps after his shows at the Hilton.
Discussing Elvis’s interactions with other celebrities, Red recalls the meeting with The Beatles at Elvis’s Bel-Air home. He noted it was more of a courtesy meeting, though Elvis enjoyed their company (“They’re a nice bunch of guys”). Elvis was rarely in awe of others, perhaps only the top gospel singer Jake Hess, and didn’t typically mix well with celebrities, with the notable exception of his good friend Tom Jones. During The Beatles’ visit, despite instruments being present, Elvis wasn’t interested in playing; Red, his cousin, and Ringo even played pool while the others talked.
The song “If You Talk in Your Sleep” had a peculiar origin. Red and Johnny Christopher were seeking inspiration, and Red shared some hilarious stories about Elvis’s sleepwalking, including an embarrassing incident from his youth at Lauderdale Courts. Suddenly, Johnny exclaimed, “That’s a title!” The song, about cheating, was influenced by songs like “Dark End Of The Street” and centered on the lyric “if you talk in your sleep, don’t mention my name.” elvis famous songs list
Red West alongside Elvis Presley in the 1970s, image from the interview
While Elvis didn’t often listen to his own music, he held a special affection for his From Elvis In Memphis album, recorded with Chips Moman. This session was a turning point, providing a string of hits like “In The Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds” (written by Red’s friend Mark James), “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “Kentucky Rain,” after a period of recording what Elvis felt was detrimental movie soundtrack material. He played the demo of “Suspicious Minds” constantly while filming Change of Habit. Red noted that while Elvis would listen to albums upon release and reflect, the Memphis album was the one he played more than any other.
This article is based on an interview with Red West by Ken Sharp, featured in the FTD book “Writing For The King.”
