Top 10 Elvis Presley Songs
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Not SyncedHe’s the King of Rock and Roll. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Elvis Presley Songs.
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Not SyncedFor this list, we’ve chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist’s fan favorites and their most commercially successful songs.
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Not SyncedAppearing on the “Blue Hawaii” soundtrack, this pop and blue-eyed soul hit was released as a single with “Rock-a-Hula Baby.” Unlike the B-side, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has endured as an Elvis classic. With a melody inspired by an 18th century French ballad, the 3-minute track went to number two on the American pop charts. The King also often used it as his closing number during his later, jump-suited live performances.
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Not SyncedBorrowing a signature tune from former Sun Records label-mate Carl Perkins, this rockabilly song was one of the first Elvis recorded after signing with RCA Records. Pressured to cover the track by studio suits, Presley requested that his version not be released while the original was still on the charts. Although Perkins’ take outperformed his cover, the song and those “blue suede shoes” have become synonymous with the King nonetheless.
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Not SyncedWritten in 1926 and backed with the fittingly titled “I Gotta Know,” “Are You Lonesome To-Night?” proved Elvis didn’t have to sing for his voice to make the masses swoon. With its spoken word sections and Shakespeare quotations, the pop track allowed Presley to mix up or modify some lyrics during live performances and it topped the Billboard pop chart.
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Not SyncedReleased following the boost that his “‘68 Comeback Special” had given him, this soulful pop track breathed new life into Elvis’ career and became his 17th and final American number one during his lifetime. Featuring both string and horn sections, “Suspicious Minds” is notable for its shifting time signatures and multiple subsequent cover versions.
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Not SyncedAdapted from an old Civil War song, Presley’s version of this romantic ballad had its debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” This performance prompted a million pre-orders of the single before its actual release and it was later featured in the movie of the same name. Though Elvis eventually refrained from singing “Love Me Tender” in its entirety during later shows, the country single gave him another Billboard chart-topper.
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Not SyncedWritten by Otis Blackwell, this two-minute track is one of the most rockin’ numbers of Elvis’ pre-military career. Featuring the King on rhythm guitar, Scotty Moore on lead, a solid bass hook, steady, slammin’ drums and backing vocals from the Jordanaires, “Don’t Be Cruel” topped the pop, country and R ‘n’ B charts. This one just oozes hair grease, Daddio.
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Not SyncedAnother Otis Blackwell-penned track, this two-minute number was first recorded and released by David Hill. But it failed to make much of an impact until the King strutted up to the mic to belt it out. The piano-driven rocker then spent eight weeks on top of the pop charts and four weeks on the R&B chart. A real crowd pleaser for sure.
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Not SyncedReleased in anticipation of Presley’s musical drama of the same name, “Jailhouse Rock” tells of a party in the country jail featuring the prison band. Though it makes references to real-life people and features subtle homoerotic themes, the rock and roll tune topped the U.S. and UK charts. It’s also become iconic thanks to the energetic and memorable dance sequence that accompanies Elvis’ performance of the song in Richard Thorpe-directed movie.
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Not SyncedAfter he made the jump to RCA, this track became Elvis’ first single for the major label. Although many execs found the song depressing, “Heartbreak Hotel” became his first American number one and it hit number two in the UK. Backed by the Blue Moon Boys, the King also enlisted studio aces Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer to craft what would soon become a live staple.
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Not SyncedBefore we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
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Not SyncedTaking our number one spot is the gyrating, pelvis-shaking ditty that started all kinds of trouble. Debuting the song on “The Milton Berle Show,” Presley made sure his performance announced two things: rock and roll was here to stay and Elvis was its King. Thanks to its raw and game-changing energy, it topped multiple American charts and became his best-selling track.
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Not SyncedDo you agree with our list?
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Not SyncedWhat’s your favorite Elvis Presley song?
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Not SyncedFor more a little less conversation and a lot more Top 10s published daily,
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- Title:
- Top 10 Elvis Presley Songs
- Description:
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He's the King of Rock and Roll. Buy his music here: http://amzn.to/1hrCLnw
Join WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 Elvis Presley Songs. Special thanks to our users jwiking62, Jaime Enrique Gutierrez Pérez, Philip Folta, jerrypresley1234, catanger56 and Jack Morris for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.com/suggest!Check out the voting page here,
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- Video Language:
- English, British
- Duration:
- 10:58
Alexandre Clemente edited English subtitles for Top 10 Elvis Presley Songs |