Elvis Presley Songs Ranked
Elvis Aaron Presley(January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), also known simply as Elvis, was an American singer, dancer, and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to great success—and initial controversy. Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience. Presley, on rhythm acoustic guitar, and accompanied by lead guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley’s classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage him for more than two decades. Presley’s first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. With his rise from poverty to significant fame, Presley’s success seemed to epitomize the American Dream. The best-selling solo music artist of all time, he was commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, R&B, adult contemporary, and gospel. He won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame. Presley holds several records; the most RIAA certified gold and platinum albums, the most albums charted on the Billboard 200, and the most number-one albums and number-one singles on the UK Albums Chart and UK Singles Chart, respectively. In 2018, Presley was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Here are all Elvis Presley songs ranked.
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20. Viva Las Vegas (Viva Las Vegas, 1970)
“Viva las vegas’s a song for the playboy. too hot to dance to this song. It’s the most amazing song ever it’s so brilliant, phenomenal, extraordinary, and fabulous!”
19. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (Loving You, 1957)
“This is one of the most powerful songs Elvis ever did. This should easily be top ten if not too five. Name another song (besides An American Trilogy) that Elvis did that was powerfully and so meaningful vocally.”
18. (You’re The) Devil in Disguise (A Portrait in Music, 1973)
“One of the best and most powerful of Elvis’ songs. The incredible range is evident here…he just kept getting better and better”
17. Kentucky Rain (From Elvis in Memphis, 1969)
“This is one of the most heart wrenching but yet one of the most heart warming songs of Elvis.. But only he could sing it like this..His voice is so beautiful”
See more: Elvis Presley Albums Ranked
16. Return to Sender (Return to Sender, 2013)
“Beautiful, haunting, way ahead of it’s time, this remains one of the most affecting tracks of an illustrious career”
15. The Wonder of You (Compilation, 2016)
“The wonder of you is the perfect wedding song. Love the Emotion and message while listening to Elvis’s soft, velvet and powerful singing -it’s like he’s singing to you”
14. Are You Lonesome Tonight? ([RE]discover Elvis Presley, 1960)
“Beautiful song, also the laughing version is good too, shows Elvis humor, his laugh was infectious. Phenomenally sensitive lyrics and performance. The true essence of the king.”
13. A Little Less Conversation (Almost in Love, 1970)
“This is a great song. A must have for any fan like me. Always has been my favorite. This is a dancing song.”
12. Always on My Mind (Separate Ways, 1973)
“Elvis sings this with emotion in his voice, I believe he was singing this to Priscilla, Amazing lyrics and a beautiful voice from the king”
11. Burning Love (Burning Love and Hits from His Movies, Volume 2, 1972)
“This song rocks especially a few certain live versions. I never get tired of hearing Burning Love!. One of the best songs I’ve ever heard from Elvis.
10. Don’t Be Cruel (Don’t Be Cruel, 1956)
“Love it. if I remember correctly, my mother had bought me hound dog. never paid attention to the other side. I was 6, didn’t care. just played hound dog. then don’t be cruel was being played on the radio. I asked her to buy me that. turns out, they were flip sides, and still have 2 45s of hound dog/don’t be cruel”
9. Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis Presley, 1956)
“All time favorite Elvis song! Very catchy! One the most popular songs of him up to this day!”
8. Love Me Tender (Loving You, 1957)
“I like this song and this song was supposed to be his biggest hit song in his mainstream career. His voice is amazing no matter what he sings”
7. All Shook Up (Loving You, 1957)
“Even if I’ll never have a fraction of the singing voice Elvis had, that won’t stop me from always singing along to this amazingly giddy song which perfectly captures the feeling of being in love.”
See more: Phil Ochs Albums Ranked
6. In the Ghetto (From Elvis in Memphis, 1969)
“This one is a lovely song. Clearly reflects how criminals are born as helpless children. No one’s a terrorist by birth. Hunger changes everything. Lovely way, lovely melody and the great voice of the King, Elvis.”
5. Heartbreak Hotel (G.I. Blues, 1960)
“This song is my absolute favourite, I remember my father always used to sing me this every night. I think it should be in the top 5 at least.”
4. Hound Dog (Hound Dog, 1956)
“Even though Jailhouse Rock was the song that introduced me to The King, this one was the one that made me fall completely in love with this artist. I also really like Heartbreak Hotel, but nothing can compare to how classic this song is.”
3. Can’t Help Falling in Love (Blue Hawaii, 1961)
“This song I can’t stop falling in love with you is so beautiful. I can’t stop singing it. It makes me so happy and glorious in life. Thank you so much Elvis Presley. I Love you!”
2. Suspicious Minds (From Elvis in Memphis, 1969)
“This song, though recorded in ’69, was THE 70’s Elvis Masterpiece. All through-out the 70’s concerts, he would perform it with an energy that made him king. His “TTWII”-version still gives me chills! It shows how much he had grown from the 50’s Rock & the 60’s Roll. The “Sweets” & all those instruments coming together with the purest, most controlled voice in history… it’s MAGIC, pure n simple!”
1. Jailhouse Rock (A Portrait in Music, 1973)
“My god, this song! I’m a pretty young kid, and hearing this made me love this artist. Can’t help falling in love would have to be second, a classic. But this song, I feel, represents Elvis how he should be remembered. Smiling and dancing and loving and blessing the world with his talent. Rest in peace, absolute legend.”
