Did you know that Elvis Presley was able to sell an estimated more than one billion records worldwide? And that’s more than anyone in record industry history. Now, over forty years after his death, Elvis Presley’s hits still remain unforgettable.
Well, he’s dubbed the “King of Rock’ n’ Roll,” and it’s for a very good reason!
With all that said, here is a list of some of Elvis Presley’s songs that have become iconic hits, spanning generations and genres.
1. “All Shook Up”
Sometimes, you can become so love-struck that you’ll start getting these strange feelings and emotions – and nobody understood that better than Elvis Presley did. The song finds him all shook up that his hands are shaky, and his knees are weak; he can no longer seem to stand on his own feet.
It got him asking, “What’s wrong with me?”
2. “Jailhouse Rock”
Two writers who had significant input in Presley’s discography were Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The duo wrote some of the most enduring classics in the history of rock ‘n’ roll – this includes “Jailhouse Rock.” The song became a big hit when Presley recorded it for the film of the same name.
3. “It’s Now Or Never”
While stationed in Germany during his days in the US Army, an Italian song of the Neapolitan language, “‘O Sole Mio,” captured Presley’s attention. So, when his music publisher visited him, Presley told him to write an English translation for him – and the result was “It’s Now Or Never.” It turned out to be a huge hit, becoming No. 1 in countries all around.
4. “Don’t Be Cruel”
This love song, which finds Presley begging a woman to at least call him on the phone, had been a staple to Presley’s live shows until his death. But more than that, “Don’t Be Cruel” has the longest stay at No. 1 on the Pop chart – a record it held until 1992. It also rose to the top spot of Country and R&B charts.
5. “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
This romantic ballad was featured in Presley’s 1961 film Blue Hawaii. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was written by George Weiss, who revealed that both movie producers and Presley’s associates didn’t like the song demo, but the King of Rock’ n’ Roll insisted on recording it. And it ended up being one of the most treasured songs.
6. “Heartbreak Hotel”
This is perhaps Presley’s most recognizable song that has been covered by several artists in multiple genres. Not only that, but “Heartbreak Hotel” played such a significant role in music history as it’s one of the songs that shaped rock ‘n’ roll.
7. “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear”
Whenever Presley performed “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” in the 1950s, the audience, especially the ladies, went wild. The song then dominated the pop charts and even topped the country charts.
8. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” was originally recorded by Charles Hart in 1927 but only reached a real success after Presley took it for a spin and swiftly dominated the charts. It’s also one of the first tracks Presley recorded after he was officially discharged from active duty with his service from the military.
9. “Love Me Tender”
The King of Rock’ n’ Roll recorded “Love Me Tender” as an adaptation of the Civil War song, “Aura Lee.” It hit No.1 on the Billboard charts, where it stayed for five remarkable consecutive weeks.
10. “Burning Love”
Even though Presley wasn’t the first one to record the song, his version in 1972 brought it to meteoric fame. This song that compares intimacy to a religious experience quickly climbed to the second spot of Billboard Hot 100 and is widely considered as Presley’s last major hit.
11. “Suspicious Minds”
“Suspicious Minds” finds the King of Rock’ n’ Roll in a state of emotional, romance-induced distress. And for some fun fact, this song is actually inspired by an actual love triangle.
12. “Crying In The Chapel”
Most fans perhaps did not know, but Presley’s recording legacy is actually rich with gospel music. This includes “Crying In The Chapel,” which became another million-seller for Presley and his greatest chart success over a span of six years.
13. “Hound Dog”
“Hound Dog” was the song that launched Presley’s career and is forever associated with him.
And if you’re wondering if it’s a song about a dog, well, the answer is no. It’s actually a common black slang for a cheap gigolo. Presley’s version was an imitation of Freddie Bell’s parody of the original. The lyrics were changed so that it became a song about a dog.
14. “If I Can Dream”
Just two months after Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated, Presley responded with this moving tribute to the civil rights heroes.
15. “In The Ghetto”
Elvis spent most of the 1950s and 1960s churning out cheesy soundtracks, but his magnificent comeback special in 1968 shot him back to the forefront, kicking it off with “In The Ghetto” – a song about the vicious cycle of poverty.
Presley recorded more than 600 songs in his career, and we’ve picked ten more Elvis hits that you should never miss!
- Don’t Cry, Daddy
- Too Much”
- Little Sister
- Kentucky Rain
- Steamroller Blues
- She’s Not You
- Hard Headed Woman
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Memories
- Guitar Man
Indeed, Presley is a lifelong legend and will always remain the original “King” – these Elvis Presley Songs are here to prove that.
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Elvis Presley