Had Elvis Presley lived, he would have celebrated a significant birthday this month. While imagining Elvis performing today is difficult, considering figures like Leonard Cohen or Chuck Berry, there’s no reason the King couldn’t still be on stage, had his health allowed. Sadly, his life took a different turn. Yet, his legacy as the king of rock & roll endures. To honor his impact and explore his most beloved tracks, we revisit the results of a poll where readers voted for their favorite Presley songs. This list highlights not just iconic hits, but also songs that fans consistently rank among Elvis Presley’s top 5 songs and overall best. elvis presley songs list best songs
“Mystery Train”
Just months before Sam Phillips and Colonel Tom Parker sold Presley’s contract to RCA for $40,000, Elvis returned to Sun Studios and cut this cover of a 1953 Junior Parker song. Backed by guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black, and drummer Johnny Bernero, Presley quickened Parker’s original bluesy version. The new take peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard Country Chart, but a few months later RCA would release “Heartbreak Hotel” and completely overshadow everything Presley had released previously. Still, “Mystery Train” endures as one of Elvis’s most beloved songs. lesser known elvis songs
“Kentucky Rain”
Elvis Presley performing ‘Kentucky Rain’ live
Elvis began the 1970s on very strong footing when he released Eddie Rabbit and Dick Heard’s mournful “Kentucky Rain” as a single in January 1970. The song hit Number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies, though it only stayed in his live show for a few weeks.
“An American Trilogy”
The Civil War had been over for more than 100 years when Elvis began singing “An American Trilogy” in 1972, but the scars still ran deep throughout America. The song was the work of Nashville pro Mickey Newbury, who tried to unite the two sides of the country by combining “Dixie,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “All My Trials” into a grand patriotic medley. Somehow he pulled it off in a mere four-and-a-half minutes, and the resulting tune became a highlight of Presley’s concerts during the last five years of his life. elvis an american trilogy show
“Heartbreak Hotel”
Elvis Presley on TV promoting ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ in 1956
Many Americans first learned of Elvis Presley when “Heartbreak Hotel” came across their radios in early 1956. Presley’s previous success was mostly regional, but with the help of his new label RCA, he recorded a song that would stay atop the Hot 100 for seven straight weeks. It even got him invited onto TV, kicking off a nationwide Elvis hysteria that, in many ways, has yet to subside. list of elvis presley number one hits
“Love Me Tender”
Few entertainers have ever had a year like Elvis Presley’s 1956. Single after single flew up the charts, massive crowds of screaming girls followed him wherever he went, and parents became convinced he was corrupting the young. His final Number One of the year was “Love Me Tender,” a ballad written by Ken Darby. He performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly before a movie of the same name hit theaters. elvis presley most famous christmas song
“Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Elvis Presley performing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ on stage
Fans at the final Elvis concerts knew the opening notes of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” meant it was time to get ready to leave. The dreamy song, which was written for his 1961 movie Blue Hawaii, ended every single one of his post-comeback shows. The sweet ode to true love was the perfect way to wrap up the evening. It has since been covered by everybody from Bob Dylan to U2 to UB40, who turned it into a huge hit in 1993.
“Jailhouse Rock”
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote “Jailhouse Rock” specifically for Elvis Presley’s 1957 movie of the same name. It’s unclear if Elvis realized exactly what they meant by lines like “You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see/I sure would be delighted with your company,” but the suggestion of inter-inmate romance also flew by most listeners and the song ended up knocking “Wake Up Little Susie” off the top of the charts.
“In the Ghetto”
Elvis Presley singing ‘In the Ghetto’ during his comeback era
Elvis spent much of the 1960s churning out cheesy B-movies and lifeless soundtracks while new acts like the Beatles and Bob Dylan made him seem like a relic. His brilliant 1968 comeback special shot him back to the forefront, and he took his newfound energy into the studio to cut “In the Ghetto.” It’s a song about the vicious cycle of poverty and despair in America’s inner-cities, and it eventually hit Number Three, cementing the fact that Elvis was back.
“If I Can Dream”
Just two months after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Elvis Presley stepped into the Western Recorders studio and laid down this moving tribute to the civil rights hero. It was the stirring climax to his 1968 comeback special, and he belted it out with incredible passion. The song rose to Number 12 on the Hot 100, and today many see it as one of the greatest vocal performances of his career.
“Suspicious Minds”
Elvis Presley performing his hit song ‘Suspicious Minds’
Elvis was just two years into his marriage with Priscilla when he recorded “Suspicious Minds,” but things were already falling apart. It’s clear he poured some of that disappointment, particularly over his own failings as a husband, into the song. Written by Mark James, it became his first Number One hit in seven years and was a regular highlight of his live show.
This fan-voted list offers a glimpse into the diverse and enduring catalog of Elvis Presley, showcasing tracks that resonated deeply with his audience across different eras. From the raw energy of his Sun Studio days to the powerful statements of his comeback and the sentimental ballads that closed his shows, these songs underscore why Elvis remains the undisputed King of Rock & Roll. His music continues to captivate listeners, reminding us of the unparalleled impact he had on popular culture.
