Had Elvis Presley lived, he would have turned 80 years old this month. It’s hard to imagine Elvis doing concerts in 2015, but Leonard Cohen is a few months older and manages to do three-and-a-half hours without breaking a sweat. Hell, Chuck Berry is 88 and still at it. If Elvis had managed to lose the weight and get healthy, there’s no reason why he couldn’t still be shaking his hips onstage. Sadly, that’s not the way his life worked out. But he’s still the king of rock & roll, and his legacy lives on through countless records and performances. To celebrate his enduring impact and remember some of his most beloved tracks, we asked our readers to vote for their Famous Elvis Songs. Here are the results from the Shock Naue poll, showcasing the timeless hits that continue to resonate with fans worldwide.
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“Mystery Train”
Just months before Sam Phillips and Colonel Tom Parker sold Presley’s contract to RCA for $40,000, Elvis went back into 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 Park’s original bluesy version, injecting it with a raw, energetic rockabilly feel. The new take peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard Country Chart, showing early crossover appeal. However, only a few months later, RCA would release “Heartbreak Hotel,” a massive hit that completely eclipsed everything Presley had released before on Sun Records. Still, “Mystery Train” endures as one of Elvis’ most beloved songs, showcasing his foundational sound before mainstream stardom.
“Kentucky Rain”
Elvis Presley performing 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 of 1970. This powerful ballad, marked by its dramatic strings and Elvis’s heartfelt vocal performance, showcased a more mature side of his artistry. The song hit Number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies, a testament to his continued popularity across different genres. Despite its chart success and enduring appeal with fans, it only stayed in his live show for a few weeks, making its inclusion in this list of Famous Elvis Songs a highlight for many.
“An American Trilogy”
The Civil War was over 100 years in the past 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 together by combining three distinct pieces of American music history: the Confederate anthem “Dixie,” the Unionist “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and the African-American spiritual “All My Trials.” Newbury’s ambitious arrangement molded them into a grand patriotic medley. Somehow he pulled it off in a mere four-and-a-half minutes, and the resulting tune became a frequently performed highlight of Presley’s concerts during the last five years of his life, resonating deeply with audiences across the nation.
“Heartbreak Hotel”
Elvis Presley posing for a promotional photo
Many Americans first learned of Elvis Presley when “Heartbreak Hotel” came across their radios in early 1956. This haunting, blues-infused track marked a significant turning point in his career. Presley’s previous success was mostly regional, centered around his Sun Records releases. But with the help of his new label RCA, he recorded a song that would explode onto the national scene, staying on top of the Hot 100 for seven straight weeks and becoming his first number-one hit. Its massive success even got him invited onto national television programs like The Ed Sullivan Show, kicking off a nationwide Elvis hysteria that, in many ways, has yet to die down, firmly cementing its place among the most famous Elvis songs.
“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 with his dynamic performances. His final Number One hit of that whirlwind year was “Love Me Tender,” a tender, romantic ballad written by Ken Darby, based on the Civil War-era song “Aura Lea.” He famously performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly before a movie of the same name, his acting debut, hit theaters. The song’s gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics showcased a different side of the King, proving his versatility beyond rock and roll.
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“Can’t Help Falling in Love”
Elvis Presley performing in a white jumpsuit
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 go. The dreamy song, with its timeless melody adapted from a 1780 French love song, was written for his 1961 movie Blue Hawaii. It served as the emotional anchor of the film’s soundtrack. This sweet ode to true love became the traditional closing number for every single one of his post-comeback shows, providing a perfect, poignant way to wrap up the evening. Its universal theme and beautiful melody have led to it being covered by everybody from Bob Dylan to U2 to UB40, who turned it into a huge hit in 1993, cementing its status as one of the most enduring and famous Elvis songs.
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“Jailhouse Rock”
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, a legendary songwriting duo, wrote “Jailhouse Rock” specifically for Elvis Presley’s 1957 movie of the same name. The song perfectly captured the rebellious energy of the film and Elvis’s public image at the time. With its driving beat and memorable lyrics, it became an instant classic. 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 caught up in the infectious rhythm. The song ended up knocking “Wake Up Little Susie” by the Everly Brothers off the top of the charts, solidifying its place as a rock and roll anthem and one of the most famous Elvis songs.
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“In the Ghetto”
Elvis Presley in the late 1960s
Elvis spent much of the 1960s churning out cheesy B-movies and lifeless soundtracks while new acts like the Beatles and Bob Dylan pushed musical boundaries, making him seem like a relic of a bygone era. His brilliant 1968 comeback special, a raw and powerful return to live performance, shot him back to the forefront of popular music. He took his newfound energy and creative drive into the studio to cut “In the Ghetto,” a socially conscious song written by Mac Davis. It’s a poignant narrative about the vicious cycle of poverty and despair in America’s inner-cities. Its powerful message and Elvis’s sincere delivery helped it eventually hit Number Three on the charts, cementing the fact that Elvis was back and capable of tackling serious themes, adding depth to the list of famous Elvis songs.
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“If I Can Dream”
Just two months after Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated, Elvis Presley stepped into the Western Recorders studio and laid down “If I Can Dream,” a moving tribute written by Walter Earl Brown specifically for his 1968 comeback special. It served as the stirring climax to the show, replacing the planned closing number “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Elvis belted it out with incredible passion and conviction, his powerful voice conveying a message of hope and unity. The song, a stark departure from his usual material, rose to Number 12 on the Hot 100. Today, many see it not only as a significant moment in his career but also as one of the greatest vocal performances of his career, showcasing his depth as an artist.
“Suspicious Minds”
Elvis Presley during a recording session
Elvis was just two years into his marriage with Priscilla when he recorded “Suspicious Minds” in 1969, but things were already falling apart personally. It’s clear he poured some of that emotional turmoil, particularly over his own failings and the strain of constant scrutiny, into the song’s raw and impassioned delivery. Written by Mark James, who had initially released it with limited success, the song became Elvis’s first Number One hit in seven years, marking a triumphant return to the top of the charts after his comeback. “Suspicious Minds” became a regular, dynamic highlight of his live shows throughout the 1970s, often featuring extended outros and ad-libs, making it one of the most iconic and famous Elvis songs and a definitive part of his concert repertoire.
These voted-upon tracks represent just a snapshot of Elvis Presley’s incredible and diverse musical output. From early rockabilly energy to heartfelt ballads and socially conscious anthems, the King of Rock & Roll left behind a legacy of famous Elvis songs that continue to define generations and genres. His influence remains immeasurable, and these fan favorites highlight why his music is still celebrated around the world.
