Lawdy Miss Clawdy was written and recorded by Lloyd Price in 1952. His recording (Specialty 428) was number one on Billboard's rhythm & blues chart for seven weeks in July and August 1952. The piano player on the record was Fats Domino. Although many rock acts over the years have recorded Lawdy Miss Clawdy, the only other versions to reach the charts were by Gary Stites (Carlton 525) in 1960 and the Buckinghams (U.S.A. 869) in 1967. Cliff Richard's first demo sent to British record companies was Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Breathless.

Elvis recorded Lawdy Miss Clawdy on February 3, 1956, at RCA's New York City studios. His single release did not chart in the fall of 1956. On June 27, 1968, Elvis sang Lawdy Miss Clawdy on both the 6:00 P.M, and 8:00 P.M. shows for his TV special, Elvis. The 8:00 P.M. performance was used in the special and the soundtrack LP. An April 9, 1972, performance at Hampton Roads, Virginia, was used in the documentary Elvis On Tour. Elvis, as Dr. John Carpenter in Change of Habit, played a portion of Lawdy Miss Clawdy on the piano.