About The Song
When Elvis released Good Luck Charm as a single in late February 1962, it appeared to be another triumph in Presley’s ongoing dominance of the record charts. This marked Elvis’ 22nd regular single release for RCA Victor, and all the preceding 21, starting with Heartbreak Hotel in 1956, had secured positions in the top 5 on Billboard’s Top/Hot 100 chart. Twelve of them had even reached #1. The expectation was that Good Luck Charm would follow suit, as would numerous subsequent Elvis single releases.
However, history now reveals that Good Luck Charm was not just another record release in Presley’s career; it was a pivotal one. Instead of being a link in his perpetual chart success, the record hinted at a downturn in Elvis’ recording career. Although Good Luck Charm reached #1 on the charts, Presley would only have one more chart-topper in his career, and that wouldn’t happen until over seven years later. Furthermore, many of the composers who had supplied Elvis with hit tunes would cease writing for him after 1962. Despite its success, Good Luck Charm caused a crisis in Elvis’ recording career.
In the March 17 issue, Billboard reported, “The biggest shot in the arm for the singles business last week was Elvis Presley, whose ‘Good Luck Charm’ on RCA Victor proved a smash across the country. Dealers report this disk shapes up as one of his biggest—indicating that the chanter has lost none of his sales appeal, despite earlier reports to the contrary.”
During the same week, Good Luck Charm entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at #51. Over the subsequent four weeks, it climbed successively to #14, #9, #3, and #2. Then, on April 21, 1962, Good Luck Charm claimed the #1 spot, displacing Elvis’ future leading lady Shelley Fabares and her recording of Johnny Angel. Elvis’ record spent a second week at #1 before being ousted by The Shirelles’s Soldier Boy. After two weeks at #5, Good Luck Charm quickly descended the list, exiting the Hot 100 on June 16, after spending 13 weeks on the chart, with 7 of them in the top 10.
Music Video
Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
Don’t want a four leaf clover
Don’t want an old horse shoe
Want your kiss ’cause I just can’t miss
With a good luck charm like youCome on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
a-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonightDon’t want a silver dollar
Rabbit’s foot on a string
The happiness in your warm caress
No rabbit’s foot can bringCome on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
a-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonightIf I found a lucky penny
I’d toss it across the bay
Your love is worth all the gold on earth
No wonder that I sayCome on and be my little good luck charm
Uh-huh huh, you sweet delight
I want a good luck charm
a-hanging on my arm
To have, to have, to hold, to hold tonight