Elvis Songs: Ain't that Loving You Baby

Written by: Clyde Otis, Ivory Joe Hunter

Recorded: June 10, 1958, RCA Nashville Studios
Released master is take 4

Single: w/ "Ask Me", 47-8440, September, 1964 (Million Seller)
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0649, November 1965

Highest U.S. Charts Position:
#16 on Billboard Hot 100

1st LP release:  Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 4 - February 1968

Although recorded in 1958, this song didn't see the light of day until September of 1964. First recorded by Eddie Riff, "Ain't That Loving You Baby" was a song that Elvis recorded at the same session as "A Big Hunk O' Love", "I Need Your Love Tonight", "I Got Stung", and "A Fool Such As I". The version that came out in 1964 as a single was a mid-tempo bluesy shuffle, with a rather annoying chorus of Jordanaires in the background. (Sorry, fellas! You're just fine on most songs) Apparently, after quite a few takes, Elvis decided to switch gears and try it out as a fast rockabilly, and without the Jordanaires. This version first surfaced on Reconsider Baby in 1990 and a few months later on Essential Elvis, Vol 3. On the upbeat version, Elvis is really letting loose, and the guitar solos are classic rock 'n' roll, so I'm not sure why this faster version wasn't chosen originally to release as a single in 1964. Elvis' vocals are more integrated with the faster rhythm, too, and he seems to really bite into lines like:

If I had nine lives like an alley cat
I'd give 'em all to you and never take one back
Ain't that lovin' you baby

In any case, the slower version came out as a single, complete with the awkwardly chanting Jordanaires, made it to number 16, and sold a million copies! It showed up on album four years later on Elvis' Gold Records, Vol 4.

As a side note, there was a completely different song with the same title, "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby", recorded by blues singer Jimmy Reed in 1956. Elvis later recorded two of Reed's songs, "Big Boss Man" and "Baby What You Want Me To Do".

'Ain't That Loving You Baby' is a marching-tempo song constructed along the lines of 'Heartbreak Hotel', but with a happier message, with Presley letting his hair down.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley - A Study In Music, 1979

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I could ride around the world in an old oxcart
And never let another girl thrill my heart

Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you so?

I could meet a hundred girls and have loads of fun
My huggin' and my kissin' belong to just one

Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you so?

If you gave me nine lives like an alley cat
I'd give 'em all to you and never take one back

Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you so?

I'm putting on my Sunday suit and I'm goin' downtown
But I'll be kissin' your lips before the sun goes down

Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you so?

Ain't that loving you baby?
Ain't that loving you so?