Return to Sender (song)

"Return to Sender" is a 1962 rock and roll hit single by American singer Elvis Presley. The song was written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell. It is about a man mailing a letter to his girlfriend after an argument. She continually writes "return to sender" and while he keeps receiving the letter with various reasons for returning to sender, including "address unknown" and "no such person". He keeps mailing letters, refusing to believe the relationship is over. Elvis performed "Return to Sender" in the film "Girls! Girls! Girls!".

The song peaked at number 1 on the United Kingdom music charts, and number 2 on the American Billboard singles chart, but reached number 1 on the rival Cash Box and Music Vendor singles charts. The single was certified "Platinum" by the RIAA for sales in excess of 1 million units in the US.

The memorable opening bars and backing on baritone saxophone is often credited to Boots Randolph, but was in fact played by Bobby Keys.

Trivia

* On January 28, 1992, a commemorative stamp to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday was introduced. On this day, many Americans wrote invalid addresses on their letters marked with the new stamp. Thus, they would get the letter back with "return to sender" written over it and the Elvis stamp with the date of the first issue day on it, which would increase the value of the stamp.
* The song is used in the film "Cast Away". It is played on the radio by Tom Hanks's character (who works at FedEx) near the end of the film.
* The song was featured on the TV show "WKRP in Cincinatti" on the episode "I Want to Keep My Baby" where Dr. Johnny Fever plays the record at a fast speed then stops and plays it backwards and re-start it at its correct speed.