Nearly 50 years after his death, Elvis Presley is still the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The world knows him simply as Elvis, millions flock annually to Graceland, his home and burial site, and he remains one of the best-selling solo artists of all time. Streams of his biggest hits now total in the hundreds of millions, with numbers climbing daily, solidifying his position as a timeless music icon. When people search for “Elvis Famous Songs List,” they are often looking for a definitive guide to his most impactful and enduring tracks.
The voice and music that first captivated young fans in the late 1950s have appealed to new generations ever since. His long list of greatest hits has only grown richer with time. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 20 Elvis Songs of All Time. Given his vast music library, this list could seemingly go on forever, but we’ve capped it at twenty. We used a mix of criteria, including their place in music history, Elvis’s personal history with the songs, and their current sales and streaming performance. Whatever the order, each song remains as dynamic and beloved as it was upon its initial release. While this list focuses on the top 20, exploring elvis presley’s top 10 songs offers another perspective on his most celebrated work.
Elvis Presley’s Most Popular Songs Ranked
Here are some of the most famous and enduring songs from Elvis Presley’s iconic career, ranked by their historical impact and contemporary popularity.
20. “Always On My Mind” (1972)
A number of artists have recorded this poignant song, including Willie Nelson and Brenda Lee. Elvis recorded his rendition in 1972, and its release followed his separation from his wife, Priscilla. The track was included on his album Separate Ways. The Elvis version remains a consistent favorite among music streamers today.
19. “Amazing Grace” (1971)
Fellow musicians often shared stories about how much Elvis loved to gather and sing gospel songs during all-night recording sessions in Nashville throughout the 1960s. The superstar recorded his powerful version of “Amazing Grace” in 1971 for his album He Touched Me. This rendition continues to be a frequently streamed track, highlighting his deep connection to spiritual music. Fans interested in this aspect of his career might explore elvis presley gospel hymns for more.
18. “Blue Christmas” (1957)
While other artists, such as country star Ernest Tubb, had recorded “Blue Christmas” before him, it was the Elvis version that definitively became a Christmas classic. It features prominently on holiday playlists annually. Elvis gave the song a distinctive bluesy sound, complemented by the exceptional back-up vocals of the Jordanaires.
17. “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” (1957)
Recorded for the soundtrack of his second movie, Loving You, this song was a massive hit across the pop, country, and R&B charts. Its popularity led to countless teddy bears being sent to Graceland by adoring fans nationwide, all wanting Elvis to “be their teddy bear.” This song exemplifies his crossover appeal during his early film career, which included features like the film elvis presley film live a little love a little.
16. “Kentucky Rain” (1970)
When initially released, “Kentucky Rain” didn’t climb the charts as quickly or as high as many of his previous hits, but it demonstrated staying power, remaining on the charts long enough to eventually achieve gold status. Elvis himself was fond of the song and enjoyed performing it live, making it a regular part of his concert repertoire.
15. “All Shook Up” (1957)
Penned by the renowned songwriter Otis Blackwell, Elvis’s version of “All Shook Up” rocketed to the top of the charts in 1957. Its enduring popularity led Elvis to bring it back more than a decade later, incorporating it into a medley of early career hits for his landmark NBC Comeback Special in 1968. This special featured many memorable elvis presley 1968 comeback special songs.
14. “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
Carl Perkins originally wrote and recorded this rockabilly classic, but it’s Elvis’s version that most people remember. Elvis released his take in 1956, gaining significant traction after performances on various television shows. He later re-recorded it for a scene in the film G.I. Blues.
13. “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” (1963)
Elvis recorded this fun, fast-paced track in Nashville in 1963. The song begins with a slow, deceptive description of someone who looks “like an angel,” then quickly picks up tempo and rocks as the singer discovers they are, in fact, the “devil in disguise!” It was a quick chart-climber upon release and remains a frequently streamed track today.
12. “How Great Thou Art” (1967)
Elvis, whose musical roots were deeply embedded in Gospel music, recorded this hymn at Nashville’s RCA Studios in 1966. It served as the title track for his second Gospel album and earned Elvis his first GRAMMY Award for Best Sacred Performance in 1968. His rousing and emotive rendition of the song became a powerful highlight during his live concerts.
11. “Burning Love” (1972)
Elvis recorded this song at RCA’s studio in Hollywood in 1972, shortly after his split from Priscilla. At the time, Elvis was feeling introspective and preferred listening to ballads. He initially wasn’t interested in recording an upbeat track like “Burning Love,” but those around him persuaded him. It proved to be his last major pop hit and became a dynamic fan favorite during his live performances.
10. “In the Ghetto” (1969)
Before hearing this song written by Mac Davis, Elvis had never recorded what could be considered a “message song” addressing social issues. Elvis recorded the track during a 1969 studio session in Memphis. It became both a chart hit and an emotionally resonant favorite during his live shows. His daughter, Lisa Marie, later recorded the song, and her vocals were mixed with his for a posthumous father/daughter duet released in 2007. While this specific collaboration is well-known, Elvis also had notable connections with other artists of his era, including Jerry Lee Lewis, leading to discussions around potential jerry lee lewis and elvis presley duets, though explicit studio duets are rare.
9. “Suspicious Minds” (1969)
Recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, the lyrics of “Suspicious Minds” touch on the frustration and strain within a relationship plagued by doubt and mistrust. Brought to life by Elvis’s emotive and powerful vocals, it was crucial in revitalizing his career in the late 1960s. Elvis later increased the tempo of the song when performing it live. “Suspicious Minds” is a timeless favorite and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
8. “Return to Sender” (1962)
This song was a last-minute addition to the soundtrack for the movie Girls! Girls! Girls!. Manager Colonel Tom Parker heard it, liked it, and pushed for its inclusion in the film. Following the song’s release, fans humorously sent letters to Elvis using made-up addresses just to have the letters returned, marked with the iconic phrase “Return to sender, address unknown.”
7. “Are You Lonesome Tonight” (1960)
Elvis recorded this classic ballad in Nashville during an all-night session, reportedly dimming the lights to create the right mood. The song soared to No. 1 upon release and held the top spot for six weeks. It is one of seven Elvis songs that have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its significant cultural and historical impact.
6. “Love Me Tender” (1956)
He recorded this song for the soundtrack of his first movie, also titled Love Me Tender. Since it was planned for the film, it hadn’t been officially released when he performed it during his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The overwhelming positive response to the slow, beautiful ballad sparked over one million pre-orders, completely overwhelming RCA Records. It became the first record in history to achieve gold status before it even arrived in stores.
5. “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956)
This track marked his career’s very first No. 1 hit, preceding his iconic performances on the Ed Sullivan Show. The song perfectly captured his groundbreaking sound, his electrifying energy, and signaled the massive change he was about to bring to rock and roll music. Elvis was already performing the song for excited fans during his live shows across the country, and its raw emotion resonated deeply. It has been included on nearly all of his compilation albums throughout the years.
4. “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956)
Recorded at RCA studios in New York City, this song was released as the A-side single, with the now-legendary “Hound Dog” on the B-side. Surprisingly, “Hound Dog” reached No. 1 first, but “Don’t Be Cruel” quickly followed suit. This was another early, fast-paced track ideally suited to the highly energetic stage presence Elvis was known for. The crowd reactions were wild when he sang it during his first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Elvis Presley on stage performing during his legendary 1968 Comeback Special, showcasing his famous songs.
3. “Hound Dog” (1956)
Elvis Presley already had his first No. 1 hit with “Heartbreak Hotel,” but it was “Hound Dog” that truly grabbed global attention. He had performed the song on television, first for the Milton Berle Show (which generated some controversy from concerned citizens) and later the Steve Allen show. However, it was a short, dynamic clip during his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show that definitively launched him into superstar status (Ed Sullivan was recovering from a car accident and did not host that specific evening). The History Channel has since ranked his September 9, 1956 appearance as one of the “10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America.” “Hound Dog” was the first of seven Elvis songs to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, receiving the honor in 1988.
2. “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
This song, instantly recognizable from its opening notes, served as the title track for the successful Elvis movie of the same name. The song reached No. 1 on the charts, and the film also performed strongly at the box office. The well-choreographed musical number features inmates enjoying the music so much that escape becomes secondary; they simply want to “rock.” Elvis himself contributed to some of the choreography for this memorable scene.
1. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
More than six decades after its release, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” remains arguably his all-time, most popular and cherished song, earning it the top spot on our list. With heartfelt lyrics promising unwavering love and devotion, it continues to resonate with music fans around the world and has been streamed hundreds of millions of times. Elvis recorded the song for the film Blue Hawaii and later adopted it as a touching and powerful show closer for his live performances, consistently connecting deeply with the audience every time.
The Enduring Legacy
Elvis possessed a voice and stage presence unlike anyone before or since, coupled with a remarkable gift for selecting songs that perfectly showcased his talents. Musicians who worked with him recalled how he would go through stacks of demo tapes, thoughtfully considering each track before choosing the ones that suited him best.
This list of the Top 20 Elvis Songs of All Time represents just a fraction of the vast music catalog that constitutes his legendary legacy. It stands as undeniable proof that he was, indeed, the King of Rock and Roll, and his music continues to captivate and inspire listeners across the globe.
