Elvis Presley’s ‘All Shook Up’ May Have Been Named by a Horror Movie Icon

“All Shook Up” is one of Elvis Presley‘s most famous early songs. Elvis and a famous songwriter are credited as the co-writers of the song. During an interview, an actor known for his horror roles said he thought up the title of the song.

Elvis Presley didn’t record the 1st version of Elvis Presley’s ‘All Shook Up’

Elvis and Otis Blackwell are credited as the co-writers of “All Shook Up.” Blackwell is known for co-writing hits such as Peggy Lee’s “Fever” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.” Notably, Elvis wasn’t the first artist to record “All Shook Up.” The song was first recorded by actor and singer David Hess under the name David Hill.

During a 2009 interview with BZ Film, Hess discussed the beginning of his musical career. “Started out writing at an early age and was discovered by Perry Como, who sent me to his lawyer, who, in turn, sent me to Al Nevins of The Three Suns,” he said. “After that it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I carried my guitar with me, so I was always ready to play at a moment’s notice.”

David Hess from ‘The Last House on the Left’ said he co-wrote the song

Hess said he helped write “All Shook Up” even though he wasn’t credited for his efforts. “As far as ‘All Shook Up’, the title came from a real set of circumstances and when I decided not to write it, Otis Blackwell did and I had the first recording for Alladin Records,” he said. “It was my title, but Otis wrote the song and Presley took a writing credit in order to get him to record it. That’s the way things happened in those days. I got paid off and the rest is history.”

Regardless of whether Hess co-wrote “All Shook Up,” he definitely had an impact on the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s career. He was credited as a co-writer on Elvis’ hit “I Got Stung.” He also wrote the lesser-known Elvis songs “Sand Castles” and “Come Along.”

Notably, Hess became a horror movie icon for portraying Krug, the main villain in Wes Craven‘s The Last House on the Left. The Last House on the Left is known as one of the most brutal horror classics of its era. He also had roles in other horror films such as The House on the Edge of the Park, Swamp Thing, and Zombie Nation.

The way the world reacted to Elvis Presley’s ‘All Shook Up’

“All Shook Up” did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 because Elvis released it before the Billboard Hot 100 existed. The song appeared on the compilation album Elvis: 30 #1 Hits. Elvis: 30 #1 Hits was No. 1 on the top of the Billboard 200 for three weeks. Elvis: 30 #1 Hits stayed on the chart for 119 weeks in total.

“All Shook Up” became a huge hit in the United Kingdom in 1957. According to The Official Charts Company, “All Shook Up” was No. 1 for seven of its 21 weeks on the chart. In 1977, the song hit No. 41, staying on the chart for two weeks. Meanwhile, Elvis: 30 #1 Hits was No. 1 for a pair of its 15 weeks on the chart.

“All Shook Up” is a classic single — regardless of who wrote it.