Album: The Complete Elvis (1956)

Charted: 2

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Songfacts®:

• This was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also wrote Elvis' breakout hit "Hound Dog." It's written in an over-the-top country style, and although it was a bit of a parody, it came off as quite sincere when Elvis sang it. The song was first recorded in 1954, first by Willy and Ruth and later by Georgia Gibbs.
• Elvis performed this on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 28, 1956.
• Robert Plant said in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers Of All Time issue: "When I met Elvis with Zeppelin, after one of his concerts in the early '70s, I sized him up. He wasn't quite as tall as me, but he had a singer's build, and he was driven. At that meeting, Jimmy Page joked with Elvis that we never soundchecked - but if we did, all I wanted to do was sing Elvis songs. Elvis thought that was funny and asked me, 'Which songs do you sing?' I told him I liked the ones with all the moods, like that great country song 'Love Me' - 'Treat me like a fool/Treat me mean and cruel/But love me.' So when we were leaving, after a most illuminating and funny 90 minutes with the guy, I was walking down the corridor. He swung 'round the door frame, looking quite pleased with himself, and started singing that song: 'Treat me like a fool.' I turned around and did Elvis right back at him. We stood there, singing to each other. What he did was he made it possible for me, as a singer, to become otherworldly." >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 5

• Alvin Bobbe from Los AngelesThe above quote from Robert Plant, "When I met Elvis with Zeppelin, after one of his concerts in the early '70s, I sized him up. He wasn't quite as tall as me, but he had a singer's build, and he was driven.' is unverified and I doubt he ever said it. There aren't any verifiable sources, either printed or on video, of him saying this. Suspect someone made it up. If I'm wrong, please provide a link to an interview or video, fellow Zep Lovers!
• Barry from Sauquoit, Ny'Treat me like a fool, treat me mean and cruel'...
  On this day in 1956 {December 27th} "Love Me"* by Elvis peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Most Played By Jockeys chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Singing The Blues" by Guy Mitchell...
  The week "Love Me" peaked at #2, Elvis had another 'Love Me' record on the chart, his "Love Me Tender" was at #6 on the Most Played By Jockeys chart...
  * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the week "Love Me" peaked at #2 on the Most Played By Jockeys chart, the rest of the Top 10 was:
  At #3. "Hey! Jealous Lover" by Frank Sinatra
  #4. "Moonlight Gambler" by Frankie Laine
  #5. "True Love" by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly
  #6. "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley
  #7. "Banana Boat Song" by The Tarriers
  #8. "Green Door" by Jim Lowe
  #9. "Don't Forbid Me" by Pat Boone
  #10. "Young Love" by Sonny James
• Jennifur Sun from RamonaThanks Jerry and Mike. Have felt like this more than once.
• Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, CaI think Jerry Leiber said this was one of his favorites by Elvis! It was either this one or Don't...but ahh doo bee-lieve it was this tune!
• Barry from Sauquoit, Ny"Love Me" was one of six records by Elvis that peaked at Number Two on Billbroad {he had a total of 18 that reached Number One!!!}

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