"Always on My Mind" is a 1971 ballad written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James and first released by Brenda Lee for her studio album Brenda and before that as a single released in June 1972. So: Recorded first by Brenda Lee September 22, 1971, but first released by Gwen McCrae (as "You Were Always on My Mind") in March 28, 1972.
Elvis Presley recorded his own version of Always on My Mind (March 29 1972) following his separation from Priscilla. It was released as an A-side to his single Separate Ways October 31, 1972 and went to number 9 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, number 17 in the Netherlands. It also went to number 4 on the Canadian country single charts and number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country charts. It went on to be covered by Willie Nelson in 1982 and Pet Shop Boys in 1987.