I GOTTA KNOW
(Words and Music by: Paul Evans / Matt Williams) – 1959

Performed by:
Cliff Richard – 1959
Elvis Presley – 1960

Get up in the mornin' feelin' mighty weak;
A tossin' and a turnin'. Well, I ain't had no sleep.
Oh, baby, what roads our love takin'?
To romance or heartbreakin'.
Won't you say which way you're gonna go.
I gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.

Nine and nine make fourteen; four and four make nine.
The clock is strikin' thirteen; I think I lost my mind.
You know it's getting' aggravatin'.
How long can I keep waitin'?
Tell me if you love me, yes or no.
I gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.

Oh, how much I need you!
Have pity on this heart of mine.
Well, if you need and want me too,
I'll be your one and only till the end of time.

Saw the fortune teller; had my fortune read.
She sent me to the doctor, who sent me straight to bed.
He said I'm lonesome and I'm lovesick.
I've got my mind on lipstick.
Will you kiss away my cares and woe?
I gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.


"I Gotta Know recorded by Elvis on Sunday, 3 April 1960
Written by: Paul Evans; Matt Williams
Originally recorded by Cliff Richard in 1959
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis Is Back; From Nashville to Memphis
(CD1)
How Cliff Richard came to record "I Gotta Know" seems to be a mystery
even to its composer, Paul Evans. He was given the choice of letting
Fabian or Elvis record the song (now who remembers Fabian?) and chose
Elvis, only later to learn that the song had already been recorded by
British Elvis wannabe, Cliff Richard, in the September of the
previous year, 1959. Elvis's version was used as the B-side of "Are
You Lonesome Tonight?" but even as a B-side made it to number 14 in
the charts!"

Interesting link:
http://www.paulevans.com/elvis.htm