Return To Sender – Elvis Presley

About The Song

This song tells the story of a man who sends a heartfelt letter to a woman, only to have it rejected with the words “Return To Sender” written on it. Despite his disbelief, he remains determined to ensure she receives the letter and sends it via special delivery. When the letter is still returned, he decides to personally deliver it to her.

It’s worth noting that the song contains a reference to postal “Zones,” which were replaced by Zip Codes the year after its release, rendering the line “No such number, no such zone” outdated.

The song was written by Otis Blackwell, known for penning Elvis’ hits like “Don’t Be Cruel” and “All Shook Up,” in collaboration with Winfield Scott, a member of the vocal group The Cues and the songwriter behind LaVern Baker’s “Tweedle De.” Elvis sought songs for his movie “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and Blackwell persuaded Scott to venture into pop songwriting, resulting in this song and “We’re Comin’ In Loaded” for the film.

Interestingly, on January 8, 1993, the US Postal Service issued a stamp in honor of Elvis Presley on what would have been his 58th birthday. This decision generated some controversy, as stamps were typically reserved for historical figures rather than entertainers. To determine the design for the stamp, the postal service allowed customers to vote between two options: a young Elvis and an older, heavier Elvis. The younger Elvis design was the clear winner, and the stamp was released on January 8, 1993. Enterprising stamp collectors marked the occasion by affixing Elvis stamps to letters with false addresses, hoping to receive them back with the iconic “Return To Sender” marking, thus turning them into valuable collector’s items.

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Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

Return to sender
Return to sender

I gave a letter to the postman
He put it his sack
Bright in early next morning
He brought my letter back

She wrote upon it
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone

We had a quarrel, a lovers’ spat
I write I’m sorry but my letter keeps coming back

So then I dropped it in the mailbox
And sent it special D
Bright in early next morning
It came right back to me

She wrote upon it
Return to sender, address unknown
No such person, no such zone

This time I’m gonna take it myself
And put it right in her hand
And if it comes back the very next day
Then I’ll understand the writing on it

Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone

Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender