Much has be written about this tune but it seems to come down to the fact that Charles Hart had the first published recording of "Are You Lonesome To-night" (Handman - Turk) in 1927. Composer Lou Handman spent much of his career in Hollywood where he worked on "All Quiet On the Western Front" and "A Star Is Born".

In 1950 the Blue Barron (Hershel Freidland) Orchestra issued a cover complete with a spoken word break. Tom Parker's wife called this one of her favourite songs and he persuaded The King to record "Are You Lonesome Tonight" in1960, the release featured "I Gotta Know" on the B side. It hit the top of the charts.