About The Song

“I Got a Woman” is a song that was co-authored and initially recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Ray Charles in 1954. It was distributed as a single in December 1954 and emerged as one of Charles’ inaugural major successes, securing the top spot on the R&B charts.

In 1956, Elvis Presley made a rock and roll rendition of the track for his eponymous debut album. Presley’s interpretation introduced “I Got a Woman” to a broader, primarily Caucasian, audience and rapidly became one of his earliest and most renowned hits.

This rendition was captured on January 10, 1956, in Nashville, as a component of his inaugural recording session with RCA. Presley’s performance in the song featured his vocals, complemented by his main supporting ensemble at that time: Scotty Moore on the electric guitar, Bill Black on the upright bass, and D.J. Fontana on the drums. Presley’s version boasted a swifter tempo and distinctive lyrical adjustments when compared to Ray Charles’ initial rendition.

The song was issued in March 1956 as the B-side to “Heartbreak Hotel,” which ultimately became Presley’s first chart-topping pop hit. During the 1950s, Presley frequently showcased “I Got a Woman” in his live performances, including those on his early TV appearances, such as The Ed Sullivan Show.

Video

Lyric

Well, I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah
Say. I’ve got a woman
Way cross town
She’s good to me oh, yeah

She’s here in the morning,
loving me
Yeah, she’s a kind of friend to me

She says she love me early in the morning
Just for me
Oh, yeah you know she loves me
Oh, naturally

She’s there to love me both day and night
No groans or fusses, treats me right
Never running in the street
Loving me alone
She knows a woman’s place is around home at night

Well, she’s my baby
And I’m her loving man