He brought the song back to the recording studio of Chips Moman and worked on it for a few days, but it did not jell. She was angry, and he replied: "Well, I know I’ve been gone a lot, but I’ve been thinking about you all the time." This idea struck him as potential song material, and he quickly ended the call so he could capture it on paper. He had been occupied in Memphis on a project that required him to stay ten days longer, and he phoned his wife in Springfield, Missouri, to apologize for the delay. Songwriter-guitarist Wayne Carson had about two verses done, with the working title "You Were Always on My Mind". "Always on My Mind" did not see completion until late 1971. 45 on the US country chart in 1972, other performers reached the top 20 in the United States and elsewhere with their own versions: Elvis Presley in 1972 John Wesley Ryles in 1979 Willie Nelson's Grammy Award-winning version in 1982 and Pet Shop Boys in 1987. Elvis Presley's recording was the first hit version of the song.ĪllMusic lists over 300 recorded releases of the song in versions by dozens of performers. The song has been a crossover hit, charting in both the country and western and pop categories. Lee's version was released three months later in June 1972. " Always on My Mind" is a ballad written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James, first recorded by Brenda Lee, and first released by Gwen McCrae (as "You Were Always on My Mind") in March 1972. Popular ballad written by Wayne Carson, Mark James, and Johnny Christopher "You Were Always on My Mind"