Viva Las Vegas (song)

"Viva Las Vegas" is a 1963 song recorded by Elvis Presley written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman[1] for his film Viva Las Vegas, which along with the song was set for general release the year after. Although Elvis Presley never sang the song live, it has since become widely known and often performed by others. The RIAA certified it gold on March 27, 1992 having sold 500,000 copies in the United States.

"Viva Las Vegas"
Single by Elvis Presley
B-side"What'd I Say"
ReleasedApril 28, 1964
RecordedJuly 10, 1963, Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California
GenreRock and roll, Pop
Length2:24
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Elvis Presley singles chronology
"Kissin' Cousins" / "It Hurts Me"
(1964)		 "Viva Las Vegas" / "What'd I Say"
(1964)		 "Such a Night" / "Never Ending"
(1964)

History

The song was recorded on July 10, 1963. Released as a single in 1964 with the B-side "What'd I Say" from the same film, "Viva Las Vegas" charted separately from its B-side, reaching #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart.[2][3][4] The Elvis version of "What'd I Say" peaked at #21, the two sides having equivalent appeal in the marketplace. "Viva Las Vegas" reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart, improving to #15 after a reissue in 2007. The single reached #20 on the Record World chart in the U.S. and #14 in Canada.[5]

The song was published by Elvis Presley Music, Inc.

In the years since its first release, the song has become one of Presley's most recognized numbers. In the 1990s and 2000s, the song appeared in countless movies and TV sitcoms, either as a reference to the city of Las Vegas, or simply as an expression of joy or bewilderment in related comedic situations.

In 2002, the city of Las Vegas requested Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company that handles a portion of Elvis's legacy and all Elvis-related music rights, to allow it to be the official song of the city. Negotiations stalled over the price requested by EPE, notwithstanding that EPE had not controlled the copyright to the song since 1993, at which time it became the property of the families of the songwriters Doc Pomus[6] and Mort Shuman. Since EPE no longer owns the copyright to the song, it essentially means that EPE does not have the authority or right to negotiate the use of the song "Viva Las Vegas" within the United States, its territories and possessions, although EPE may be able to negotiate the use of the actual Elvis recording of the song.

Appearances in other media

Cover versions

Charts

Elvis Presley's original version
Chart (1964) Peak
position
Australia 4
Belgium 12
Canada (CHUM) Hit Parade[13][14] 14
Denmark 3
Germany 21
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 8
Italy 8
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[16] 4
Norway 6
Spain 16
Sweden 5
UK [17] 17
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[18] 29
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 16
U.S. Record World 20
Chart (2007) Peak
position
UK [19] 15

ZZ Top cover
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 28
Germany 34
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 8
Netherlands 27
New Zealand (RIANZ) 17
Sweden 7
Switzerland 20
UK [20] 10
US Billboard Mainstream Rock 16
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References
  1. "Doc Pomus - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  2. Jorgensen, Ernst. Elvis Presley A Life in Music: The Complete Recording Sessions. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998; pp. 182, 416
  3. Viva Las Vegas.45cat.
  4. Viva Las Vegas. Discogs.
  5. Song artist 2 - Elvis Presley.tsort.
  6. Halberstadt, Alex "Lonely Avenue The Unlikely Life & Times of DocPomus", 2007; DaCapo Press
  7. Katsilometes, John (May 5, 2018). "Bellagio fountains cue up 'Viva Las Vegas' after Knights wins". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  8. "viva las vegas | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  9. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  10. Daniels, Neil (2014). Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers: A ZZ Top Guide. Soundcheck Books. ISBN 978-0-9571442-7-9. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  11. "Viva Las Trivia". Shakehamsterband.com. 2003.
  12. "Marc Martel - Viva Las Vegas". YouTube.com. 2017.
  13. CHUM Hit Parade, June 22, 1964
  14. Song artist 2 - Elvis Presley.tsort.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Viva Las Vegas". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  16. Flavour of New Zealand, 7 May 1964
  17. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1964-03-18. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  18. "Elvis Presley - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  19. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  20. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1992-04-11. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
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