Elvis Presley was the original hip-gyrating bad boy in his day. He was a rockstar and ‘dream boy’ in his day and gave us a slew of musical hits from country and gospel to rock and roll. Even though he’s been gone many years now, his music is still widely popular throughout the world. In fact, his music is stil used in many popular movies and even has had remixes of certain songs created in tribute. Beneath is a list of what I feel are the ten most memorable elvis songs.. ever.
10. Hound Dog
While “Hound Dog” has been around for a long time, it is most easily associated in modern times with 1994’s movie: Forrest Gump. In it, you see a young Elvis staying at Mrs. Gump’s southern house as a guest, only to be influenced by the young Forrest Gump and his dance moves when he ‘felt’ the music. The song, in actuality, is quite short lyric wise with only two verses. The song can be interpreted in many ways, from an ex-friend to an ex-lover with the lyrics, “You ain’t nothin but a hound dog crying all the time..” The second group of lyrics state clearly (and more like a relationship in my eyes) “When they said you was high classed, that was just a lie..” The song has an excellent beat and is perfect to dance to, but so are most Elvis Songs.
9. All Shook Up
The best way to describe “All Shook Up” is perfectly summed up in the first set of lyrics, “A well I bless my soul Whats wrong with me? Im itching like a man on a fuzzy tree” The confusion that comes along with that first realization of love rings too true in this classic Elvis song. Like a generalized man, the realization of love isn’t one of butterflies and rainbows. It’s more of a faster paced excitement. Sure that may be difficult to comprehend, however, Elvis does a surefire job in explaining it. The song is, of course, upbeat and full of that ever popular Elvis passion. The song also goes into how the guy feels when she touches his hand, kisses her and even when he goes to speak to her and gets tongue tied.
8. Return To Sender
“Return to Sender” is a song about a lovers spat and the girl is done with the man. The song, itself, is faster paced than one would think for a ‘break up’ song to be. The hurt is classified in his repeated attempt to get her to accept his apology. However, she does not wish to hear it. He sends a letter and it is sent back as a return to sender. She uses the excuse of address being unknown or the number not existing. He, however, accepts that she may reject the letter he intends to hand to her personally. He states, “and if it comes back the very next day Then I’ll understand the writing on it.” While the song is mildly depressing to listen to when you understand it, the song is still one of Elvis’ best songs.
“Heartbreak Hotel” carries a blues feel throughout it. Another of Elvis’ great ‘break up’ songs, this one tells the story about a man who moved into the heartbreak hotel on lonely street after his lover left him. He joins others in this fictional ‘crowded’ hotel who go there merely to cry away their sorrows. He paints a picture of the bell hops and clerks having been at the hotel so long they won’t return. Most anyone can relate to the feelings eminated from the song. With the base of blues behind it and Elvis’ extremely soul-filled voice, you can even feel the heartbreak in his words – even if you, yourself, have never been a guest at the Heartbreak Hotel. He expresses perfectly how heartbreak can make one feel with “I get so lonely I could die.”
6. Don’t Be Cruel
Another of Elvis’ sad love songs, “Don’t Be Cruel” is about a person who has possibly done something to upset the one they love and without the contact, they’re feeling hurt. He states in it, “If you can’t come around, At least please telephone Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.” The rest of the song goes into him trying to prove how true his love for this woman is, even stating as much as going to a preacher and getting married to prove it. His song carries that same blues feel as most of his popular songs and is slightly slower than other ‘sad’ songs of his, however, shows true dedication and is an excellent Elvis song.
5. (You’re the) Devil in Disguise
“(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” is a song about a woman who isn’t who she claims she is. The man catches on and basically confronts her with, “You look like an angel Walk like an angel Talk like an angel But I got wise.. You’re the Devil in Disguise”. The song has an excellent and southern-like revival sound to these ears and is rather amusing to listen to. The guy goes on to express how he was fooled by her and her cheating ways. The tambourine seems to play a very important role in this song, giving it a special feel, so to say. As the song begins, it is slow, like talking and then picks up, that remains one of the most memorable parts in the song beyond lyrics. In fact, this song was popular in the 80’s, being used in the movie “She-Devil” which starred Roseanne Barr.
When one thinks of Las Vegas, they often times think of Elvis, too, or perhaps even the song “Viva Las Vegas. This song has the upbeat feel that only Las Vegas can give and describes it perfectly in the song. “Bright light city gonna set my soul Gonna set my soul on fire Got a whole lot of money thats ready to burn,So get those stakes up higher” The song is upbeat, fast and still very popular to this day. In fact, Ann-Margret performed an edited version of Viva Las Vegas in the 90’s for the Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, where she sang “Viva Rock Vegas” as the characters arrived to the never-sleeping city. The song also displays the dark side of a trip to Vegas turning into a big addiction and no regard for going bankrupt while in this city. All in all, the song is ONE of the best Elvis songs to date and is still extremely popular.
3. In the Ghetto
This song, by far, is the most depressing and serene songs Elvis ever put out. “In the Ghetto” is a story, basically. The focus isn’t on the music at all, but the words. The song tells the tale of a small baby born in the ghetto in Chicago to a mother who cries because she knows she can’t afford another mouth to feed. Elvis’ voice displays the suffering and blandness of the life in the ghetto, struggling from one time to the next. However, the story continues on explaining that unless the child gets help and love, he’s going to turn into a bitter man someday. He does grow up and in desperation steals a car and is found face down with a gun in his hand. The song goes into the circle of life, of sorts of the Ghetto life, as that young man dies another child is born in the ghetto. A very emotional song and one that stirs tears on occasion, this is indeed one of Elvis’ best songs ever.
2. Can’t Help Falling in Love
The number 2 song on my list, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is in the second place for a very obvious reason. This song was so popular that in the 80’s a band known as UB 40 did a cover of it giving it a modern twist. However, the original features Elvis’ cool, romantic voice singing about love in a positive light. Most of Elvis’ songs have only a few lyrics, so that makes learning and remembering a lot easier. Perhaps the most popular lyrics in the song are the beginning, “Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you”. Every person has felt this way at least once in their life, be it with a boyfriend, girlfriend or even child. It’s that first moments glance love kind of feeling, that seems rushed but isn’t. The song also talks about how some things are meant to be, there’s no rhyme or reason for it – it just happens. The song is one of the best love songs Elvis has out and very, very addicting.
“Jailhouse Rock” is the best Elvis rock song, period. It has a memorable beat that is highly addicting and when paying attention to the lyrics even tells a little story. The story is about a warden who decides to throw a party for the prisoners. In the song, the singer gives names of cell mates like Spider Murphy and Little Joe, who played instruments along with others to this jailhouse rock. There’s a little friendly flirting between two jailbirds, however it doesn’t give out who or what other than numbers 47 and 3. When one of the ‘sad sacks’ is weeping in a corner alone due to no dance partner, the warden tells him to use a wooden chair. As the song progresses, one of the jailbirds decides that it’s their break to escape, however, the other decides he wants to stay to get his kicks. The song is definitely one that is very widely known and extremely easy to dance to. By far, one of the most memorable songs of Elvis’ if not (at least in my eyes) the best song ever by him.
Rating which Elvis song is best is near impossible. However, by naming his ten best they, in a way, are all number ones. While not everyone can agree with this list, most anyone who is an avid Elvis fan (or claims to be) surely can agree that all of these listed songs are definitely worth listening to. Elvis was, is and always will be the King of Rock and Roll. There is no denying his influences are still felt today in music.
