About the song
From the very first notes, **”Return to Sender”** draws you in with its lively rhythm, punctuated by a playful horn section and a driving beat. The song tells a lighthearted story of unrequited love—our narrator keeps sending letters to his sweetheart, only to have them returned unopened. The repeated phrase “return to sender, address unknown” makes for an irresistible hook, one that lingers in the listener’s mind long after the song has ended.
Written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell—two of the most respected songwriters of the era—**”Return to Sender”** was crafted specifically for Elvis and became an instant hit. The song was featured in the film *Girls! Girls! Girls!*, where Elvis played a singing fisherman (a classic Presley film role if there ever was one). But even outside the movie, the song stood strong, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
What makes this song so enduring? Part of it is Elvis himself. His vocal performance is smooth and confident, blending rock and roll with just the right amount of rhythm and blues. His delivery gives the song a playful charm, making the heartbreak feel more like an amusing mishap than a devastating loss. There’s also the tight, polished production—a hallmark of Elvis’s early ’60s recordings—that ensures every instrument shines.
More than sixty years later, **”Return to Sender”** remains one of Elvis Presley’s most beloved songs. It’s a perfect example of why his music continues to resonate: a catchy melody, an engaging story, and a voice that defined a generation. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or the hundredth, it’s impossible not to tap your foot and sing along.
Video
Lyrics
Return to sender
Return to sender
I gave a letter to the postman
He put it in his sack
Bright early next morning
He brought my letter back
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
We had a quarrel, a lover’s 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 and early next morning
It came right back to me
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
Return to sender, address unknown
No such number, no such zone
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender…
