South of the Border (Denis)

Guess my source was the originals. Is it wrong?

No, but TheOriginals is a secundary source just like us.

Check for example the very respectable website "Elvis Originals":

Originally recorded by Gene Autry in 1939

http://users.pandora.be/davidneale/elvis/originals/list7.html

So we have a third candidate here!

"South of the Border" was composed by 2 Englishmen and as far as I could check in "British Dance Bands On Record 1911 to 1945" by Brian Rust and Sanfdy Forbes it was first recorded by Billy Cotton on May 5th 1939.

Gene Autry's cover-version was recorded september 11th 1939 and was not even the first American cover.

Shep Fields recording is from August 1st 1939.

http://settlet.fateback.com/BB10000.htm

And there were at least 3 English versions preceding the Autry-version according to the book I mentioned: Henry Hall (May 25th 1939 / Joe Loss (June 5th 1939 / Ambrose June 8th 1939)

http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=t_upd_show&id=5786

I can't find an earlier version than Billy Cotton's.

jojo's information seems interesting to add to your entry.

Jojo, does Brian Rust's book mention release info for Billy Cotton's version?

Quote by Bastien at 1165142622:

jojo's information seems interesting to add to your entry.

Added recording date. There is some interesting information for your entry too Bastien...

Added recording date the Shep Fields entry.

Quote from jojo

Gene Autry's cover-version was recorded september 11th 1939 and was not even the first American cover.

Added