Introduction
Money Honey: A Rockabilly Gem Before the King
Elvis Presley’s “Money Honey” may sound like a quintessential King of Rock and Roll original, but it began life a few years earlier in the world of rhythm and blues. In 1953, songwriter Jesse Stone penned the tune, and it was brought to life by Clyde McPhatter, the lead singer of The Drifters. Their version became a chart-topping R&B hit, staying on the charts for a whopping 23 weeks and peaking at number one. McPhatter’s powerful vocals and the song’s infectious energy helped it sell over two million copies by 1968, solidifying its place as a rhythm and blues classic.
Fast forward to 1956. Elvis Presley, a young singer with a dynamic stage presence and a sound heavily influenced by R&B, was just starting to make waves. RCA, his new record label, was eager to capitalize on his growing popularity. During a recording session in Nashville, Presley put his own spin on “Money Honey.” His version, while staying true to the original’s structure, showcased his signature sneer and a raw energy that would become a hallmark of rock and roll. This cover was included on Presley’s debut album, simply titled “Elvis Presley,” released in March of 1956.
While not a single itself, “Money Honey” served as another example of how Presley could take existing songs and infuse them with his own rockabilly swagger. His interpretation helped introduce “Money Honey” to a wider audience, one hungry for the new sounds he was pioneering. The song’s influence can even be heard in later rock and roll hits like Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” released later in 1956.
So, while “Money Honey” might seem like a Presley original, it’s a testament to his talent for taking inspiration and transforming it into something entirely new. This early cover helped solidify Presley’s place as a rock and roll innovator, all while paying homage to the rhythm and blues giants who came before him.