Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, held a deep and abiding passion for spiritual music throughout his life. “My first [love] I would say would be spiritual music … I mean some of the old colored spirituals, you know, from years back,” he revealed during a Vancouver press conference in August 1957. This profound connection wasn’t just lip service; it manifested in a significant body of work that explored his faith and showcased a different, yet equally powerful, side of his vocal talent. Even at the zenith of his rock ‘n’ roll fame, Elvis had already begun recording what would become a cherished part of his legacy: his gospel songs. This dedication to religious music continued throughout his career, resulting in numerous acclaimed recordings. Identifying the absolute Best Elvis Gospel Songs involves delving into a rich catalogue marked by sincerity and soul.
Elvis Presley’s Gospel Journey Through Records
During his prolific career, RCA Records released a substantial collection of Elvis’s gospel work, comprising 11 dedicated records: four long-play (LP) albums, one extended-play (EP) album, and six singles. The journey began formally with Peace in the Valley, a four-song EP issued in April 1957. This was followed by his first full gospel LP, His Hand in Mine, featuring 12 tracks, which arrived in November 1960. A significant milestone came in April 1965 with the release of “Crying in the Chapel” as a single. Its surprising success prompted RCA to issue two more gospel singles the following Easter, pulling tracks like “Joshua Fit the Battle,” “Known Only to Him,” “Milky White Way,” and “Swing Down Sweet Chariot” from the earlier His Hand in Mine LP.
Cover art for Elvis Presley’s ‘Peace in the Valley’ EP from 1957, featuring four gospel songs.
Elvis’s second gospel LP, How Great Thou Art, landed in March 1967, offering 12 fresh recordings. The following year saw another Easter single release: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” / “We Call on Him.” These two tracks found a home on Elvis’s third gospel LP, the budget compilation You’ll Never Walk Alone, released in March 1971. This album primarily featured previously released material, with only two new additions sourced from movie soundtracks: “Sing You Children” (Easy Come, Easy Go) and “Let Us Pray” (Change of Habit). Just a month later, his fifth gospel single, “Life” / “Only Believe,” hit the shelves.
The Easter season of 1972 brought Elvis’s final dedicated gospel single, “He Touched Me” / “Bosom of Abraham.” These tracks were also featured on his last gospel LP, He Touched Me, released in April 1972. However, this wasn’t the end of his gospel recordings. Over the subsequent five years, gospel numbers like “Help Me” and “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” were integrated into his standard pop LPs. Furthermore, powerful live renditions of “How Great Thou Art” and “Why Me Lord?” appeared on concert albums released during the mid-seventies.
Album cover for Elvis Presley’s first gospel LP ‘His Hand in Mine’ released in 1960.
In total, approximately 60 Elvis Presley gospel recordings saw release during his lifetime. Selecting the top 10 is inherently subjective, yet certain tracks stand out for their emotional depth, vocal performance, and historical significance. Here is our countdown of the 10 Best Elvis Gospel Songs.
The Countdown: Top 10 Best Elvis Gospel Songs
10. “Peace in the Valley” (1957)
Recorded in Hollywood on January 13, 1957, “Peace in the Valley” served as the title track for Elvis’s first gospel release. He had performed the song just a week prior during his final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. While his delivery might lack the polish of his later 1960s gospel sessions, the palpable commitment to the song’s message resonated deeply. This heartfelt performance played a crucial role in softening public criticism Elvis faced at the time, showcasing a side of him rooted in faith and tradition.
9. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (1968)
Captured during the Nashville studio sessions of September 1967, this recording has a unique backstory. As detailed by Mike Cimicata and Ernst Jorgensen in the sleeve notes for the I Believe compilation (2009), “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, not pausing between takes, just endlessly repeating, driving every bit of emotion from the song, seemingly lost in his own world.” Producer Felton Jarvis skillfully edited these raw, emotional takes into the master version released as a single. The powerful result earned Elvis a Grammy nomination for “Best Sacred Performance” in 1968.
8. “Run On” (1967)
The Nashville sessions of May 1966 were primarily focused on gathering material for a new gospel album. To ensure versatility, the studio was packed with 14 musicians, alongside vocal backing from The Jordanaires, The Imperials, and a female trio. The first track laid down was “Run On,” characterized by Elvis expert Ernst Jorgensen as an “up-tempo number in the jubilee tradition.” Kicking off with Floyd Cramer’s distinctive piano run and a low hum from the vocal ensemble, the recording quickly found its stride. “The second take was full of energy,” Jorgensen observed, “with the full electric band and eleven singers making a very joyful noise. It was a remarkable updating of traditional gospel music—tough, powerful, even threatening—different from any religious music he had ever recorded.” This track showcased Elvis’s ability to inject raw power into spiritual music.
Cover of Elvis Presley’s second gospel album ‘How Great Thou Art’ from 1967, a Grammy-winning record.
7. “Joshua Fit the Battle” (1960)
A standout track from the 1960 His Hand in Mine album, this arrangement breathes new life into a traditional spiritual. Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires noted in the I Believe box set sleeve notes, “After rehearsing it a few times, he was ready to roll tape… Listen to it; those words are not easy.” The vocal interplay between Elvis and The Jordanaires is exceptionally tight on this upbeat number. Achieving the perfect timing and harmony for the five distinct voices at the song’s conclusion required a few takes, but the final result is an inspiring, dynamic finish that highlights the ensemble’s synergy.
6. “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” (1974)
Elvis frequently used spirituals as warm-up exercises before recording sessions, gathering his vocalists around a piano. It was fitting, then, that he kicked off his December 1973 sessions at Memphis’s Stax Studios with “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body.” Described by Ernst Jorgensen as a “funkily rhythmic contemporary religious number,” the song was penned by Dennis Linde, the same composer behind Elvis’s hit “Burning Love.” Jorgensen remarked, “It was a great kickoff for the sessions.” This vibrant track became a highlight on Elvis’s 1974 Good Times album, demonstrating his continued engagement with contemporary gospel sounds.
5. “He Touched Me” (1972)
Recorded on May 15, 1971, during extensive Nashville sessions, “He Touched Me” became the title track for Elvis’s fourth and final gospel LP. His lifelong immersion in hymns enabled him to deliver a deeply emotional vocal performance in just a few takes. The recording benefited from the presence of The Imperials, who provided backing vocals; “He Touched Me” was already their signature song. Released the following year, the He Touched Me LP earned Elvis his second of three Grammy Awards, solidifying its place among the best Elvis gospel songs and albums.
Elvis Presley’s final gospel LP cover ‘He Touched Me’, released in 1972 and winning a Grammy Award.
4. “His Hand in Mine” (1960)
When Elvis entered the Nashville studio in October 1960 for his first dedicated sacred LP, he brought the same core group of musicians and vocalists used for his pop hits. This tight-knit unit managed to produce 14 masters in a single, marathon session. “His Hand in Mine,” a favorite originally recorded by The Statesmen Quartet (one of Elvis’s preferred gospel groups), was the second song recorded that night. Charlie Hodge, Elvis’s army friend and fellow gospel enthusiast, provided harmony vocals alongside Elvis. Jorgensen notes, “Over the course of only five takes, they developed an impressive vocal arrangement featuring both the Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham—further evidence of the familiarity of everyone on the session with the material.” The resulting track is smooth, heartfelt, and beautifully arranged.
3. “Saved” (1968)
Jordanaire Ray Walker once distinguished spiritual music (born from suffering, often restrained) from rhythm gospel (more frantic, unrestrained). By this definition, “Saved,” recorded for Elvis’s 1968 TV special, might be his purest rhythm gospel performance. Typically, Elvis’s delivery left listeners wanting more, a characteristic of spirituals. But “Saved” is different. Propelled by an infectious beat, his vocal is relentlessly high-energy from start to finish. There’s no holding back; by the song’s end, it’s clear Elvis has poured every ounce of energy into the performance. While used in a medley on the TV special, the powerful stand-alone studio recording wasn’t released until years after his death, revealing the raw energy he brought to gospel.
2. “Crying in the Chapel” (1965)
After a long night recording gospel tracks on October 30-31, 1960, Elvis decided to tackle “Crying in the Chapel.” Gordon Stoker remembered, “We were tired when we recorded it, but I’m thankful we don’t sound tired on the record.” He admitted dissatisfaction with the ending harmony parts, but Elvis waved it off: “It’s good, forget it, don’t make any difference.” Due to issues securing publishing rights, Colonel Parker kept the track off the His Hand in Mine album. Five years later, RCA released the shelved recording as a single. It unexpectedly became a massive pop hit, climbing to #3 on the Billboard chart. Presley’s stunningly beautiful rendition of this well-known hymn became his most commercially successful gospel single, proving the timeless appeal of his spiritual recordings.
1. “How Great Thou Art” (1967)
Interestingly, despite “How Great Thou Art” becoming Elvis’s signature gospel anthem, Jordanaire Gordon Stoker recalled, “When we first discussed cutting it, he said he had never heard of it.” After hearing The Jordanaires perform it, 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.” Ernst Jorgensen praised 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.” Becoming the title track for his 1967 gospel album, “How Great Thou Art” won Elvis his first Grammy Award. A live version recorded later would earn him another Grammy in 1974, cementing its status as arguably the very best Elvis gospel song.
The Enduring Legacy of Elvis’s Gospel Music
It remains a curious fact that Elvis Presley never received a Grammy Award in a pop music category during his lifetime. However, his profound impact on religious music was repeatedly acknowledged by the music industry through multiple Grammy wins for his gospel recordings. His early love for spirituals never faded; it consistently resurfaced in the deep commitment and passion evident in every note of his gospel work. These recordings offer a unique window into the heart and soul of the King, showcasing a dimension of his artistry that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide. Exploring the best Elvis gospel songs reveals not just musical excellence, but a genuine expression of faith from an American icon.
