Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, held another genre close to his heart throughout his phenomenal career: gospel music. “My first [love] I would say would be spiritual music … I mean some of the old colored spirituals, you know, from years back,” he shared during a press conference in Vancouver in August 1957. This deep appreciation for spirituals and gospel wasn’t just talk; it translated into a significant and critically acclaimed part of his musical output. Even at the peak of his rock ‘n’ roll fame, Elvis dedicated time to recording religious music, a practice he continued until the end of his life. Understanding this facet of his artistry is key to appreciating the full scope of his talent, and exploring the Best Gospel Songs By Elvis Presley reveals a profound connection to faith expressed through powerful performances.
Over his career, RCA Records released a substantial collection of Presley’s gospel work, including four full-length albums (LPs), one extended play (EP) album, and six singles dedicated to the genre. The journey began formally with the Peace in the Valley EP in April 1957. His first complete gospel LP, the seminal His Hand in Mine, arrived in November 1960, featuring twelve tracks. A standalone single, “Crying in the Chapel,” became a surprise pop hit in April 1965, prompting RCA to release further gospel singles drawn from the His Hand in Mine album the following year.
March 1967 saw the release of How Great Thou Art, Elvis’s second gospel LP, which introduced twelve new recordings and earned him his first Grammy Award. More releases followed, including the 1968 single “You’ll Never Walk Alone” / “We Call on Him,” which later appeared on the budget LP You’ll Never Walk Alone (March 1971). His final dedicated gospel single, “He Touched Me” / “Bosom of Abraham,” came out in 1972, coinciding with his last gospel LP, He Touched Me (April 1972), which secured him another Grammy. Even beyond these dedicated releases, gospel tracks like “Help Me” and “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” found their way onto his mainstream pop albums, and live versions of favorites like “How Great Thou Art” were featured on concert LPs.
Cover art for Elvis Presley’s Peace in the Valley EP, featuring four early gospel recordings.
With approximately 60 official gospel recordings released during his lifetime, selecting the definitive top ten is a challenging endeavor. This list focuses on some of the most impactful, beloved, and critically recognized gospel recordings by Elvis Presley, presented in countdown order.
Elvis Presley’s Top 10 Gospel Recordings
10. Peace in the Valley (1957)
Recorded in Hollywood on January 13, 1957, “Peace in the Valley” became the title track for Elvis’s first gospel record release. He had notably performed the song just a week prior during his final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. While his vocal delivery here might lack some of the polish found in his later 1960s gospel sessions, the raw sincerity and clear commitment to the song’s message resonated deeply. This performance played a significant role in softening public criticism and showcasing a different, more reflective side of the burgeoning rock ‘n’ roll superstar.
9. You’ll Never Walk Alone (1968)
This iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein song was captured during Elvis’s Nashville studio sessions in September 1967. The recording process, as detailed in the sleeve notes for the I Believe compilation by Mike Cimicata and Ernst Jorgensen, was intensely personal. “On the last night of sessions, he sat down at the piano and asked for the lights to be turned down. He started playing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ over and over… driving every bit of emotion from the song, seemingly lost in his own world.” Producer Felton Jarvis skillfully edited these passionate takes into the master version released as a single. The recording earned Elvis a Grammy nomination in 1968 for “Best Sacred Performance,” highlighting its emotional depth and vocal power.
8. Run On (1967)
The Nashville sessions of May 1966 were primarily aimed at gathering material for a new gospel album, later released as How Great Thou Art. A large ensemble of 14 musicians, alongside the Jordanaires, The Imperials, and a female trio, provided a rich sonic palette. “Run On,” the first track recorded, is described by Elvis historian Ernst Jorgensen as an “up-tempo number in the jubilee tradition.” Kicked off by Floyd Cramer’s distinct piano run and a low hum from the vocal groups, the track quickly found its energy. Jorgensen notes, “The second take was full of energy… making a very joyful noise. It was a remarkable updating of traditional gospel music—tough, powerful, even threatening.” It showcased Elvis’s ability to inject raw power into traditional forms.
Album cover for His Hand in Mine, Elvis Presley’s first full gospel LP released in 1960.
7. Joshua Fit the Battle (1960)
A standout track from the 1960 His Hand in Mine album, “Joshua Fit the Battle” (often titled “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”) is an energetic spiritual. Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires recalled the session in the I Believe box set notes: “After rehearsing it a few times, he was ready to roll tape… Listen to it; those words are not easy.” The synergy between Elvis and the Jordanaires is palpable on this up-tempo number. Achieving the perfect timing and blend for the complex vocal ending took a few takes, but the result was an intricate and uplifting conclusion that demonstrated the group’s exceptional harmony.
6. I Got a Feelin’ in My Body (1974)
Elvis often used gospel songs to warm up before recording sessions, gathering backing vocalists around the piano. This practice naturally led to the recording of “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” at the start of his December 1973 sessions at Stax Studios in Memphis. Penned by Dennis Linde (who also wrote “Burning Love”), the song was described by Ernst Jorgensen as a “funkily rhythmic contemporary religious number.” It provided a vibrant start to the sessions and became a highlight on the 1974 Good Times album, demonstrating Elvis’s continued engagement with contemporary gospel sounds late in his career.
5. He Touched Me (1972)
Recorded on May 18, 1971 (not May 15 as sometimes cited) during Nashville sessions, “He Touched Me” became the title track for Elvis’s fourth and final gospel LP. Written by Bill Gaither, the song was already a signature piece for The Imperials, who provided backing vocals on Elvis’s version. His deep familiarity with gospel allowed him to deliver a heartfelt, emotionally resonant vocal performance in just a few takes. The resulting album, He Touched Me, earned Elvis his second Grammy Award in 1973 (for Best Inspirational Performance), solidifying his status as a respected gospel artist.
Elvis Presley’s How Great Thou Art album cover, winner of his first Grammy Award.
4. His Hand in Mine (1960)
The title track of Elvis’s first full gospel LP was recorded during the marathon session in Nashville on October 30-31, 1960. Working with his usual pop session musicians and vocalists, the group achieved remarkable results, mastering 14 tracks in one night. “His Hand in Mine,” previously recorded by The Statesmen quartet (one of Elvis’s favorites), was the second song tackled. Charlie Hodge, Elvis’s friend and associate who shared his love for gospel, provided harmony vocals. According to Jorgensen, “Over the course of only five takes, they developed an impressive vocal arrangement featuring both the Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham,” showcasing the intuitive understanding shared by everyone involved.
3. Saved (1968)
Recorded specifically for the gospel segment of his legendary 1968 “Comeback Special,” “Saved” (written by Leiber and Stoller) stands out for its sheer energy. Ray Walker of the Jordanaires once differentiated spirituals (born of suffering, holding back) from rhythm gospel (frantic, all-out). By this definition, “Saved” is pure rhythm gospel. Propelled by an infectious beat, Elvis delivers a high-octane vocal performance from start to finish, holding nothing back. The raw power and uninhibited joy are palpable. While used in a medley on the TV special, the full stand-alone studio recording wasn’t officially released until years later, but it remains a thrilling example of Elvis cutting loose on a gospel number.
Cover of He Touched Me, Elvis Presley’s final gospel LP which earned him a second Grammy.
2. Crying in the Chapel (1965)
Recorded at the very end of the marathon His Hand in Mine sessions in October 1960, “Crying in the Chapel” was almost an afterthought. Gordon Stoker remembered, “We were tired when we recorded it… I never liked our ending… Elvis said, ‘It’s good, forget it, don’t make any difference.’” Initially shelved, reportedly due to publishing issues Colonel Parker couldn’t resolve, the recording sat in the vaults for nearly five years. RCA finally released it as a single in April 1965. Against expectations, the beautiful, heartfelt rendition of the Artie Glenn composition resonated strongly with the public, soaring to #3 on the Billboard pop chart. It became Elvis Presley’s most commercially successful gospel recording.
1. How Great Thou Art (1967)
Though it became arguably Elvis’s signature gospel song, Gordon Stoker claimed Elvis wasn’t familiar with “How Great Thou Art” when it was first suggested for the May 1966 sessions. After hearing the Jordanaires perform the Stuart K. Hine hymn (based on a Swedish melody and poem), Elvis was convinced. “Neal Matthews, our second tenor, made an arrangement of it,” Stoker explained. “Elvis listened to it, rehearsed it and recorded it by memory.” Jorgensen described the result: “Elvis sang with sincerity and dedication, in a slower tempo than the Statesmen’s version that accentuated the spirituality of the material and allowed him to build the song into a powerful anthem.” Serving as the title track for his 1967 gospel album, “How Great Thou Art” earned Elvis his first Grammy Award (for Best Sacred Performance). He would win another Grammy in 1975 (for Best Inspirational Performance, Non-Classical) for a live version recorded in Memphis in 1974, underscoring the song’s enduring power and significance in his repertoire.
While Elvis Presley famously never won a Grammy for his rock ‘n’ roll or pop recordings during his lifetime, the music industry rightfully recognized his profound contributions to religious music with three wins and numerous nominations. His early love for spirituals evolved into a lifelong commitment, consistently demonstrated through the passion, sincerity, and vocal power poured into his gospel recordings. These songs weren’t just album filler; they were expressions of a core part of his being, solidifying his legacy not only as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll but also as one of the most compelling gospel singers of his time. Exploring the Best Gospel Songs By Elvis Presley offers a rewarding journey into the heart of an American icon.
