While the world remembers Elvis Presley as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, a lesser-known but equally significant aspect of his life was his deep and abiding faith. This spiritual dimension heavily influenced his music, particularly his powerful gospel recordings. Among these, Elvis Presley Singing How Great Thou Art stands out, not just as a beloved performance, but as a testament to his personal conviction.
Only hours before his death, Elvis’s close friend Rick Stanley heard him reciting a heartfelt prayer. Though often remembered for his struggles, those closest to him emphasize his profound spirituality. Ray Walker of The Jordanaires, his longtime gospel quartet, noted, “He was a deeply spiritual man; he was more spiritual than anyone around him”.
Elvis Presley reflecting on his faith
His Pentecostal upbringing in the South profoundly shaped his musical style, influencing both his secular hits and the gospel songs he recorded throughout his career. Jerry Schilling, a member of the Memphis Mafia, recalled Elvis’s fondness for playing piano and singing gospel for hours at his private gym.
His recorded gospel music achieved remarkable popularity, including tracks like ‘Peace in the Valley’, ‘Run On’, ‘I Got Confidence’, and ‘Amazing Grace’. It was his recording of Elvis Presley Singing How Great Thou Art that earned him his first Grammy Award. He would go on to win two more Grammys for his gospel performances, a testament to his dedication. Elvis himself once stated, “I know practically every religious song that’s ever been written”.
Yet, Elvis’s faith was far more than just a musical interest. Friends attested that he possessed a knowledge of the Bible surpassing that of many ministers, finding comfort and grace in Scripture during moments of self-doubt. When away from his Bible, he was known to leave it open to Corinthians 13, St. Paul’s powerful message on love. Beyond his gospel singing, Elvis also recorded iconic songs for movies like Jailhouse Rock.
Prayer remained central to his life; he insisted on praying with his band before every concert. During his shows in the 1970s, he would often share inspirational thoughts and read passages from the Bible. His faith also manifested in practical kindness, offering comfort to friends in need and contributing generously to charitable causes. Jason Freeman of the Legendary Sun Studio in Memphis observed, “He wasn’t faking it, and people can tell that. He was very spiritual, and that attracted a lot of people to him”.
By the mid-sixties, Elvis articulated two main aspirations: to create music that brought joy, and to fulfill a higher purpose for God. He later clarified this purpose as demonstrating the truth of Christianity and the peace it brought him to his audience. Charles R. Wilson of the University of Mississippi commented on this, stating, “His religious faith told him ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so’… so his faith gave him much inspiration”.
Elvis Presley in a moment of prayer
Given his deep personal faith, there’s a certain irony in the phenomenon sometimes called ‘Elvism’ or ‘Presleyanity’, where fans elevate him to a near-religious figure. Social critics like Vernon Chadwick have drawn parallels, noting how “Fan clubs are churches, impersonators are priests, song lyrics are scripture, souvenirs are relics, sightings are Second Comings, and of course Graceland and Memphis are the holy land”. While some saw him as an idol, Elvis himself remained grounded in his beliefs, similar to the humility seen even in popular film roles like his time in Blue Hawaii.
This deification stands in stark contrast to Elvis’s own perspective. J.D. Sumner, the gospel superstar and his friend, recounted a moment in Las Vegas where a woman offered Elvis a crown, calling him ‘the king’. Elvis gently refused, stating, “No, honey, I’m not the king. Christ is the king. I’m just a singer”. His identity as ‘just a singer’ encompassed everything from rock hits to powerful gospel numbers and even performances alongside philharmonic orchestra songs. This dedication to his craft and faith defined his unique place in history, far from the image some might perceive from albums like Suspicious Minds or melancholy tunes like Only the Lonely.
Stained glass art depicting Elvis Presley
In conclusion, while Elvis Presley’s rock and roll legacy is undeniable, his deep Christian faith was a fundamental part of who he was. It influenced his music, his personal life, and his aspirations. His powerful rendition of elvis presley singing how great thou art serves as a Grammy-winning example of how his spiritual convictions intertwined with his art, revealing a side of the King far richer than his public persona alone.
