Had Elvis Presley lived, he would have turned 80 years old this month. It’s difficult to imagine The King performing concerts in 2015, though other artists his age were still active. Sadly, his life took a different turn. Despite his untimely passing, Elvis remains the undisputed King of Rock & Roll, and his music continues to resonate globally. To celebrate his enduring legacy and mark his 80th birthday, we asked our readers to vote for their favorite Presley song. The results offer fascinating insight into what fans consider the Elvis Presley Most Popular Song, or at least their personal favorites. Here are the top picks from our reader poll.
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 to record this cover of a 1953 Junior Parker song. Backed by guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black, and drummer Johnny Bernero, Presley sped up Parker’s original bluesy version. The new rendition peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard Country Chart. However, just a few months later, RCA would release “Heartbreak Hotel,” which completely overshadowed all of Presley’s earlier Sun Studio recordings. Despite this, “Mystery Train” endures as one of Elvis’s most beloved and influential early songs. elvis presley song list most popular
Kentucky Rain
Elvis began the 1970s on a very strong note when he released Eddie Rabbit and Dick Heard’s mournful “Kentucky Rain” as a single in January 1970. The song reached Number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies, demonstrating his continued chart success. Although it was a hit, it only remained a part of his live performance repertoire for a few weeks.
Elvis Presley performing “Kentucky Rain” in the early 1970s
An American Trilogy
The American Civil War had ended over a century before Elvis began singing “An American Trilogy” in 1972, but its historical weight still resonated deeply across the United States. The song was the creation of Nashville professional songwriter Mickey Newbury, who sought to symbolically unite the divided sides of the country by combining three distinct tunes: the Confederate anthem “Dixie,” the Union’s “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and the traditional spiritual “All My Trials.” Newbury masterfully blended these disparate pieces into a grand, patriotic medley. This powerful tune became a significant highlight of Presley’s concerts during the final five years of his life, resonating strongly with audiences. elvis singing american trilogy
Heartbreak Hotel
For many Americans, their first introduction to Elvis Presley’s unique sound and style came in early 1956 when “Heartbreak Hotel” hit the airwaves. Presley’s prior successes were primarily regional. However, with the backing of his new label, RCA, he recorded a song that would spend an impressive seven consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This monumental hit not only launched him into national stardom but also earned him invitations onto television, igniting a nationwide “Elvis hysteria” that, in many ways, continues to this day.
Young Elvis Presley during the rise of “Heartbreak Hotel”
Love Me Tender
Few entertainers have ever experienced a year quite like Elvis Presley’s 1956. Hit single after hit single soared up the music charts, massive crowds of screaming girls followed him, and some parents became convinced he was corrupting the youth. His final Number One hit of that incredible year was “Love Me Tender,” a tender ballad written by Ken Darby. Presley famously performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly before the movie of the same name, in which he starred, premiered.
Can’t Help Falling in Love
For fans attending Elvis concerts during his later career, the opening notes of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” signaled that the show was nearing its emotional conclusion. This dreamy, romantic song, originally written for his 1961 film Blue Hawaii, became the traditional closing number for virtually all of his post-comeback performances starting in 1969. It served as a perfect, heartfelt way to wrap up the evening, a sweet ode to true love. The song’s timeless appeal is evident in the countless cover versions by artists ranging from Bob Dylan and U2 to UB40. lyrics of can t help falling in love with you
Elvis Presley performing his iconic closer “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Jailhouse Rock
The dynamic songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote the iconic song “Jailhouse Rock” specifically for Elvis Presley’s 1957 musical film of the same title. While it’s debated whether Elvis fully grasped the implications of lines like “You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see / I sure would be delighted with your company,” the subtle suggestion of inter-inmate romance likely went unnoticed by most listeners. The song was a massive success, famously knocking the Everly Brothers’ hit “Wake Up Little Susie” off the top of the charts, solidifying its place as a rock and roll classic.
In the Ghetto
Much of the 1960s saw Elvis relegated to starring in lighthearted B-movies and recording often uninspired soundtracks, making him seem somewhat out of step as new acts dominated the music scene. However, his electrifying 1968 television comeback special dramatically thrust him back into the spotlight. Capitalizing on this renewed energy, he returned to the studio to record “In the Ghetto.” This powerful song offered a stark social commentary on the vicious cycle of poverty and despair in America’s inner cities. Its release proved Elvis could tackle serious themes, reaching Number Three on the charts and definitively confirming that the King of Rock & Roll was back.
Elvis Presley during his 1968 comeback period, relevant to “In the Ghetto”
If I Can Dream
Just two months following the assassination of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Elvis Presley stepped into Western Recorders studio and recorded this deeply moving tribute. “If I Can Dream” served as the stirring, emotional climax to his iconic 1968 comeback television special, where he belted out the lyrics with incredible passion. The song became a significant hit, rising to Number 12 on the Hot 100. Today, many critics and fans regard it as one of the greatest vocal performances of his entire career, showcasing his ability to connect with profound themes.
Suspicious Minds
Elvis was only two years into his marriage with Priscilla Presley when he recorded “Suspicious Minds,” a period where their relationship was reportedly facing difficulties. It’s widely believed that he channeled some of this personal disappointment into his performance. Written by Mark James, “Suspicious Minds” became a monumental hit, marking Elvis’s first Number One single in seven years. Its dramatic structure and powerful delivery made it a consistent and electrifying highlight of his live concert performances throughout the 1970s.
Conclusion
This reader poll offers a snapshot of the Elvis Presley songs that continue to resonate most strongly with our audience, highlighting both early rock and roll classics and later career hits. From the raw energy of “Mystery Train” and “Heartbreak Hotel” to the profound social commentary of “In the Ghetto” and the timeless romance of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” these tracks showcase the incredible range and lasting impact of the King of Rock & Roll. While the debate over the Elvis Presley Most Popular Song might never be definitively settled for everyone, this list certainly presents a compelling case for some of his most beloved works.
