A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

Episode 38: “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley

Jun 24, 2019
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ANECDOTE

Mae Axton's Unlikely Songwriting Career

  • Mae Axton, an English teacher and journalist, unexpectedly became a songwriter.
  • She wrote over 200 songs, including "Heartbreak Hotel" for Elvis.
ANECDOTE

The Inspiration for Heartbreak Hotel

  • Mae Axton was touched by Elvis's desire to bring his parents to Florida.
  • She promised to write him a hit song, which became "Heartbreak Hotel".
ANECDOTE

Origins of "Heartbreak Hotel"

  • Tommy Durden's inspiration for "Heartbreak Hotel" was a newspaper story, possibly about a suicide or robbery.
  • Mae Axton helped finish the song.
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