He was known globally as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but Elvis Presley’s artistry extended far beyond energetic rock anthems. His ability to deliver sentimental ballads was a cornerstone of his enduring popularity and a key factor in his long-term success. This skill provided Elvis with a unique edge over contemporaries often focused solely on raw rock energy, like Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry. Presley’s captivating elvis presley ballads songs brought a crucial balance to his diverse musical catalog, enabling his seamless transition into the mainstream of pop music in the early sixties. These heartfelt performances solidified his status not just as a rock icon, but as a versatile vocalist capable of expressing deep emotion.
Elvis Presley holding a guitar, looking thoughtful
Exploring the depth of Elvis’s catalog reveals a treasure trove of tender, emotional tracks. Below is a curated list of his top 10 ballads, a blend of iconic recordings and often-celebrated favorites. This countdown delves into the stories and significance behind some of the most beloved elvis presley romantic songs in his extensive discography.
The Countdown Begins
#10. “Tomorrow Night” (1954, 1965)
“Tomorrow Night” holds a special place for many listeners. When the compilation “Elvis for Everyone” LP was released in 1965, this track stood out. Its recording was mesmerizing, featuring Elvis’ deeply echoed voice, a sound reminiscent of his early Sun Records sessions. It wasn’t widely known initially that the 1965 release was an extensive remix of a Sun master recording from 11 years prior.
Elvis recorded the original vocal track for “Tomorrow Night” at Sun Studio around September 1954. This initial master, however, bore little resemblance to the later mix and wasn’t released until after his passing. According to Elvis session expert Ernst Jorgensen, the 1954 vocal was “overdubbed with guitar, harmonica, and backing vocals” to create the version released in 1965. Presley’s voice was also notably altered during this process. Despite the manipulation, the 1965 remix remains a memorable piece, arguably surpassing the obscurity of the 1954 master for many fans.
#9. “I Need Somebody to Lean On” (1963)
Described by Jorgensen as a “portrait of late-night desolation” and an example of “Sinatra-style balladry,” this Doc Pomus-Mort Shuman composition showcased a different facet of Elvis’s performing ability. Elvis delivered this song about unrequited love from a dimly lit nightclub setting in the film Viva Las Vegas. While the mood felt somewhat distinct from the overall musical comedy, the scene powerfully highlighted Elvis’s capability to convey the raw emotion of a lonely ballad.
“I Need Somebody to Lean On” was considered a potentially strong B-side for Elvis’s 1964 single release of “Viva Las Vegas.” However, RCA opted for the more uptempo “What’d I Say” instead. The ballad first appeared publicly as one of four tracks on the film’s soundtrack extended play.
#8. “It’s Impossible” (1972)
Elvis recorded the poignant “It’s Impossible” live during a performance in Las Vegas at the Hilton on February 16, 1972. Ernst Jorgensen characterized the tune as a “grief-stricken ballad,” suggesting it was one of several songs Elvis chose during this period to help him “sing his way through his own pain and heartache,” stemming from his marital separation. Regardless of the personal source of the emotion, Elvis’s interpretation of “It’s Impossible” that evening stands as one of the most compelling ballads he ever performed live.
Originally a hit for Perry Como, Elvis never recorded this song in a studio setting. When it eventually appeared on Elvis’s 1973 album “Fool,” it was widely regarded as the standout track on an otherwise mixed collection.
Elvis Presley in a scene from the movie Loving You
#7. “Loving You” (1957)
Following a trend set by his first movie, Paramount Pictures chose to name Elvis’s second film after a ballad featured in its soundtrack. Consequently, RCA decided to release the film’s title tune as a single. However, record company executives felt that none of the versions recorded for the film soundtrack in January 1957 were strong enough for a single release. This led Elvis back into Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood on February 24, 1957, specifically to record a version of “Loving You” deemed suitable for a standalone single.
In contrast to the more dynamic vocal styles sometimes employed in his earlier ballads, Elvis’s performance on this Leiber-Stoller composition was delivered in a traditional, sentimental manner. While its accompanying single, “Teddy Bear,” soared to #1 on Billboard’s chart, “Loving You” demonstrated remarkable staying power for a B-side. It reached #28 on the “Top 100” chart and remained charted for 22 weeks, only three weeks less than its blockbuster counterpart.
#6. “Sentimental Me” (1961)
Elvis was clearly in a ballad-focused mood late on the evening of March 12, 1961. During a marathon recording session that extended into the early hours of the next day, he recorded three notable ballads consecutively: “There’s Always Me,” “Starting Today,” and “Sentimental Me.” The latter, a cover of a 1949 hit by the Ames Brothers, was recorded efficiently, completed in just two takes.
“Sentimental Me,” along with the other two tracks from that session, was featured on the “ballad” side of Elvis’s 1961 album “Something for Everybody.” Esteemed musicians including Hank Garland, Bob Moore, Buddy Harman, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph joined Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, providing a slow, steady rhythmic foundation, while the Jordanaires delivered close backing vocals to complement Elvis’s strong lead. The result was widely considered one of the most beautifully rendered ballads Elvis ever recorded. Elvis Presley songs ranked often place tracks from this productive period highly.
#5. “They Remind Me Too Much of You” (1962)
Songwriter Don Robertson was invited to play piano during the soundtrack session for Elvis’s film, It Happened At the World’s Fair, held at Radio Recorders in Hollywood on September 22, 1962. Robertson vividly recalls how his composition “They Remind Me Too Much of You” nearly didn’t make it into the session. Concerns were raised in the control booth that the song’s melody too closely resembled “Chapel in the Moonlight.” Knowing he had to intervene to save his song, Robertson recounts, “So I fiddled around on the piano a little bit. I went over to Elvis, who was standing in front of the vocal mike, and while the people in the booth were arguing about it, sang him this little phrase I had figured out…” His quick thinking paid off. “[The song] was within a millimeter of being thrown out! I’m certain that if I hadn’t been there, it would have been.”
Instead, Elvis recorded one of his most deeply felt ballads that day, a track that has remained a personal favorite for many since its release on the World’s Fair soundtrack LP in 1963.
Elvis Presley singing in a recording studio session
#4. “There’s Always Me” (1961)
“This is my song,” Elvis reportedly declared upon hearing Don Robertson’s “There’s Always Me” during a session at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville late on the evening of March 12, 1961. Elvis clearly enjoyed recording this particular track, which featured a powerful, full vocal ending, a departure from the fade-out often used on many of his ballads. According to Jorgensen, Elvis later played the finished recording for Robertson with evident pride in his performance.
Six years later, faced with the need to issue more singles, RCA decided to release older album cuts. “There’s Always Me” was put on the singles market. In the fall of 1967, it appeared on the “Hot 100” chart, charting for only six weeks and peaking at #56. Decades later, in 2004, the song was among a selection of Elvis ballads chosen for inclusion in the popular Presley-themed Broadway musical, All Shook Up.
#3. “Love Me Tender” (1956)
Despite a sign over the door of Fox Stage 1 on August 24, 1956, strictly forbidding visitors, the vast sound stage was filled with curious onlookers. According to Trude Forsher, Colonel Parker’s secretary, most were studio personnel drawn by the news that Elvis Presley was about to record a ballad for the soundtrack of his debut film.
Forsher described the moment: “The guitar around his broad shoulders, he leaned towards the mic and the words ‘Love Me Tender, love me sweet…’ were picked up by the tremendous boom microphone facing him. He sang the music softly. Elvis finished, and he gave the sign for the playback. Suddenly, the bare studio was transformed into a romantic 19th century setting, as the gentle words interpreted so feelingly filled the air.” The public response was immediate and overwhelming. In late 1956, “Love Me Tender” spent 14 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard’s singles chart, including three weeks at #1. This recording conclusively proved that Presley’s ballads possessed the same massive market appeal as his rock ’n’ roll hits.
#2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
Elvis recorded what would become one of his most universally recognized and enduring songs at Radio Recorders in Hollywood on March 23, 1961. According to Jorgensen, “The ambition and concentration [Elvis] put into a marathon twenty-nine takes of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ on the final day suggested how seriously he took the beautiful, intimate ballad; when he finished, he seemed already aware that he’d created a classic.” The sheer effort invested highlights the importance he placed on capturing the perfect performance for this timeless tune.
Becoming a standard at countless weddings throughout the early sixties, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” enjoyed a highly successful run on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart beginning in late 1961. It remained on the chart for 14 weeks, spending eight of those weeks within the top 10. It peaked at #2 on February 3, 1962, solidifying its place as the third most successful ballad single of Presley’s career in terms of chart peak. The phrase elvis presley my love often evokes the sentiment of this specific song.
#1. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960)
While dozens of versions of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” had been recorded dating back to 1927, Elvis Presley’s rendition superseded them all. His performance remains the definitive standard for this song, which was written a decade before his birth.
Elvis recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” in the early morning hours of April 4, 1960, at RCA’s Nashville Studio B. Ernst Jorgensen vividly recreated the atmosphere: “With the studio lights turned down, Elvis gave the sentimental song the full theatrical treatment, creating a credible drama in which the singer is seduced, deceived, and finally abandoned.” Elvis added his indelible personal touch to the track with a heartfelt spoken recitation in the middle, transforming it into a unique and emotionally resonant piece. By any measure, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” stands as Elvis’s most celebrated ballad. In late 1960, it dominated the “Hot 100,” holding the #1 position for six weeks. Its immense popularity even spawned a series of “answer” songs recorded by other artists. The recording was nominated for two Grammy awards, ultimately losing in both categories to Ray Charles’ iconic “Georgia on My Mind.”
Elvis Presley’s legacy is built on his dynamic performances across genres. While he is rightfully celebrated as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, his profound ability to connect with audiences through tender, heartfelt ballads is an equally significant part of his musical genius. These ten songs represent some of the finest examples of that talent, showcasing the emotional depth and vocal control that made him a truly unparalleled artist.
