The 5 O’Clock Shadow
The original artist is 70 today! Legend has it that he wrote this for Elvis but Elvis died soon after it was sent to him. Because the original artist was embroiled in litigation with his former manager, at the time, he could not record it himself.
Two versions of it were recorded by other artists in 1978 but it was The Shadow artist’s version that became a hit, going to #2.
The original artist did not release a recorded version of the song until 1986.
The Shadow artist manages to give this song, about desire, a far less predatory feel.
Fun fact: the actress Elvis is kissing in this picture left the film industry at age 25 to become a nun.