While famously crowned the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley possessed an extraordinary talent for delivering heart-wrenching ballads and sentimental slow songs. This ability to convey deep emotion through slower tempos was not just a footnote to his rocking hits; it was fundamental to his enduring global appeal. Unlike some contemporaries known primarily for high-energy performances, Presley’s mastery of Slow Elvis Songs provided a crucial balance to his musical output. This versatility allowed him to transcend the initial rock ‘n’ roll wave and solidify his status as a mainstream pop icon in the early 1960s. His slower numbers showcased a vulnerability and tenderness that connected with audiences on a profound level, proving he was more than just a hip-shaking sensation.
Explore our countdown of Elvis Presley’s top 10 slow songs, a blend of universally acclaimed classics and standout performances that highlight his exceptional skill as a balladeer. We begin our journey at number 10.
Elvis Presley’s Top 10 Slow Songs Countdown
10. Tomorrow Night (1954, 1965)
This track stands out as a unique piece in Elvis’s catalog. Originally recorded at Sun Studio around September 1954, the initial master bore little resemblance to the version released much later. That 1954 vocal track remained unreleased until after his death. For the 1965 “Elvis for Everyone” LP, the recording underwent significant transformation. According to session expert Ernst Jorgensen, Elvis’s 1954 vocal was heavily overdubbed with guitar, harmonica, and backing vocals. Presley’s voice itself seems altered in the process. Despite being a remix crafted years after the initial session, the 1965 release possesses a mesmerizing quality, with Elvis’s deeply echoed voice serving as a nostalgic callback to his early Sun Records sound, making it a memorable slow song experience.
9. I Need Somebody to Lean On (1963)
Described by Jorgensen as a “portrait of late-night desolation” and echoing “Sinatra-style balladry,” this Doc Pomus-Mort Shuman composition showcases Elvis’s ability to convey profound loneliness. Performed in a dimly lit nightclub scene in the film Viva Las Vegas, the song’s melancholic mood starkly contrasted with the movie’s overall comedic tone. However, this contrast effectively highlighted Presley’s talent for delivering poignant, Slow Elvis Songs. Though perfectly suited as a B-side to the energetic “Viva Las Vegas” single in 1964, RCA opted for another upbeat track (“What’d I Say”). “I Need Somebody to Lean On” first appeared on the film’s soundtrack EP, remaining a testament to Elvis’s emotive capabilities in slower tempos.
8. It’s Impossible (1972)
Recorded live during his engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 16, 1972, Elvis poured raw emotion into this performance. Ernst Jorgensen characterized the tune as a “grief-stricken ballad.” At the time, Elvis was navigating the personal pain following the breakup of his marriage, and many believe he channeled these feelings into his music. This rendition of “It’s Impossible,” originally a hit for Perry Como, became one of the most powerful live ballads Elvis ever performed. Never recorded in a studio by Presley, its inclusion on the 1973 “Fool” album was a highlight on an otherwise uneven record, capturing a moment of intense vulnerability and vocal prowess.
7. Loving You (1957)
Following the pattern of his first film, Paramount named Elvis’s second movie after a key ballad from its soundtrack. RCA aimed to release the title track as a single. However, executives felt the versions recorded during the initial soundtrack sessions in January lacked the punch needed for a single release. Consequently, Elvis returned to Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood on February 24, 1957, specifically to record a stronger version. Penned by Leiber and Stoller, Elvis delivered “Loving You” with a straightforward, traditional sentimentality, diverging from the more dynamic vocal approach of some earlier ballads. Paired with the #1 hit “Teddy Bear,” this slow song demonstrated remarkable chart longevity for a B-side, spending 22 weeks on Billboard’s “Top 100,” peaking at #28, proving the appeal of Elvis’s romantic side.
Elvis Presley in a tender scene performing the slow song Loving You
6. Sentimental Me (1961)
During a late-night recording session on March 12, 1961, that extended into the early hours of the next day, Elvis was clearly in a mood for ballads. He recorded three exceptional slow songs back-to-back: “There’s Always Me,” “Starting Today,” and “Sentimental Me.” The last, a cover of a 1949 hit by The Ames Brothers, was nailed in just two takes. Featuring smooth backing from musicians like Hank Garland, Bob Moore, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph, alongside Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, and The Jordanaires, the track exudes warmth. Elvis’s solid vocal, closely supported by the harmonies, resulted in one of the most beautifully crafted slow Elvis songs, later included on the “ballad” side of his 1961 LP “Something for Everybody.”
5. They Remind Me Too Much of You (1962)
This gem almost didn’t make it onto the soundtrack for It Happened At the World’s Fair. During the recording session at Radio Recorders on September 22, 1962, concerns arose in the control booth that the melody, written by Don Robertson (who was present playing piano), sounded too similar to “Chapel in the Moonlight.” Robertson quickly improvised a distinct musical phrase on the piano and demonstrated it to Elvis. This quick thinking saved the song from being cut. Elvis proceeded to record one of his most genuinely heartfelt slow songs. Its inclusion captures a vulnerability and tenderness that resonates deeply, making it a standout ballad from his movie soundtrack era and a fan favorite since its release on the World’s Fair LP in 1963.
4. There’s Always Me (1961)
“This is my song,” Elvis reportedly declared before recording Don Robertson’s “There’s Always Me” late on March 12, 1961, at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville. His enthusiasm is palpable in the recording, which features a powerful, definitive ending rather than the typical fade-out used in many of his ballads. Elvis was evidently proud of the result, later playing the recording for songwriter Robertson. Although initially an album track on “Something for Everybody,” RCA released it as a single six years later in 1967. While it only reached #56 on the Billboard “Hot 100,” its quality endured. This powerful declaration of steadfast love remains one of the most compelling slow Elvis songs, even being featured in the Broadway musical All Shook Up in 2004.
Elvis Presley delivering the powerful ballad There’s Always Me in the studio
3. Love Me Tender (1956)
The recording session for Elvis’s first movie ballad at Fox Stage 1 on August 24, 1956, was technically a closed set, yet the space buzzed with anticipation. Studio personnel, curious to hear the rock ‘n’ roll sensation tackle a slow song, filled the sound stage. Colonel Parker’s secretary, Trude Forsher, described the moment: Elvis, guitar slung over his shoulder, leaned into the microphone and softly sang the opening lines, “Love me tender, love me sweet…” The gentle melody, delivered with heartfelt sincerity, instantly captivated everyone present. When the playback filled the studio, the atmosphere transformed. The public reaction mirrored this sentiment; “Love Me Tender” dominated the charts in late 1956, spending three weeks at #1 on Billboard’s chart. This iconic recording definitively proved that Elvis Presley’s ballads were as commercially potent as his rockers.
2. Can’t Help Falling in Love (1961)
Recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood on March 23, 1961, this track became one of Elvis Presley’s most enduring and recognized songs. The effort invested was considerable; according to Jorgensen, Elvis dedicated himself through a marathon twenty-nine takes. This focus highlighted how seriously he approached this “beautiful, intimate ballad.” Upon completion, Presley reportedly sensed he had crafted something truly special, a timeless classic. Its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics made it a staple at weddings throughout the early sixties. The song enjoyed significant chart success, spending 14 weeks on Billboard’s “Hot 100” starting in late 1961, peaking at #2. Its universal message of inevitable love makes it one of the quintessential slow Elvis songs.
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1960)
Though written in 1927 and recorded by numerous artists before him, Elvis Presley’s 1960 rendition of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” became the definitive version, eclipsing all others. Recorded in the early morning hours of April 4, 1960, at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville, the session atmosphere was reportedly intimate, with studio lights dimmed. As described by Ernst Jorgensen, Elvis infused the sentimental song with theatricality, creating a poignant narrative of love and loss. His masterstroke was the inclusion of a deeply personal spoken recitation, adding a unique layer of vulnerability. This became Elvis’s most celebrated ballad by virtually any measure. It topped the “Hot 100” for six consecutive weeks in late 1960, inspired numerous “answer” songs, and earned Grammy nominations, solidifying its place as the ultimate slow Elvis song.
Elvis Presley performing the emotional ballad Are You Lonesome Tonight live
The Enduring Power of Elvis’s Slow Songs
This journey through Elvis Presley’s top 10 slow songs reveals a depth and sensitivity that were just as integral to his artistry as his revolutionary rock ‘n’ roll. From the haunting echo of “Tomorrow Night” to the iconic vulnerability of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, these ballads showcase his remarkable vocal control and emotional range. They weren’t just filler between upbeat numbers; they were carefully crafted performances that cemented his legacy as a versatile and profoundly affecting singer. These slow Elvis songs continue to resonate with listeners decades later, proving the timeless power of a well-sung ballad delivered by the King himself. What are your favorite slow songs by Elvis?
